Take an old-fashion flag waving 4th of July picnic, combine it with all the yummy food of a family reunion, sprinkle in a wet ‘push of war’ Water Ball contest, a carnival, live music and more than a few contests and you have all the ingredients for the Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival.
Since 1976 the Crothersville community has held a patriotic festival the second weekend in June. This year’s festival runs June 9-11 at the Crothersville Community School grounds.
“This is the 41st year for the annul patriotic salute tagged ‘Indiana’s Most Patriotic Festival’”, said festival organizer Sherry Bridges. “This year is even a bigger celebration as the State of Indiana will celebrate it’s 200th birthday.”
A special celebration, “Celebrate Indiana 200”, is slated for Saturday, June 11, at 4:30 p.m. “Dr. Terry Goodin, Baron Hill and Crothersville’s own Scott McKain will be on hand as well as several other speakers. The Indiana Bicentennial Commission has endorsed the Crothersville Festival with the Legacy Project Seal,” said Bridges.
Crothersville-Vernon Twp. Fire Department will not only be frying fish at the Firehouse but will bring back the wet & wild “Water Ball Contest” on Saturday morning on Preston Street just as it did over 20 years ago.
Brady Amusements will kick off the festival Wednesday, June 8 with a special ride promotion.
Always a crowd draw, the baby contest will begin Thursday evening with registration from 2:30 to 4pm. This event is being sponsored by Reins to Recovery.
Little Mr. & Miss Red White & Blue is for boys and girls ages 5-7. Forms for this event can be picked up at The Peoples Bank in Crothersville or Jubilee Flowers & Gifts in Seymour. This contest is open to all Jackson County children.
The Prince & Princess contest sponsored by the staff of CHS Yearbook will be crowned on stage Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. CHS Class of 2019 will sponsor the 5K Glow Run/Walk.
Throughout the festival the Antiques Farm Machinery Show will take place along Howard Street. Kevin Hoevener is organizing the event which promises to be one of the biggest in southern Indiana this Bicentennial year.
Saturday morning will start early with the Crothersville FFA serving breakfast as the entire day is filled with family activities. The high school gym will be filled with kids participating in Otter Basketball Camp, while outside the Fire Department will be setting up the Water Ball Contest. On the other end of Preston Street the Traditional Young Farmers will be marking off for the Pedal Tractor Pull. Kids can also participate in a Bubble Blowing Contest and show off their talents in, “Chalk Street Drawings”, of their favorite thing at the festival. Down at Town Hall, Danieta Foster will be organizing the Cake and Pie Contest.
At 11 a.m., Denise Maxie will set the table for contestants as they participate in the, Pork Burger Eating Contest. Entrants will see how many World Famous Crothersville FFA Pork Burgers they can eat in 10 minutes.
At noon the Pet and bike Parade will be for children ages 4 to 10.
And if that’s not enough, The 41st RWB Parade will be registering entry’s from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marion Gill, parade chairman will be set up at the corner of East and Bard Streets. The Parade steps off at 1:30 p.m.
Starting at 9 p.m. Robert Becker of Radio 96.3, WJAA will be broadcasting live and will start the count down as Zambelli Fireworks Company will once again light up the Crothersville sky at 10 p.m.
Musical groups will provide a mix of Bluegrass, Country Rock and Gospel.
There is also a variety of festival food ranging from pork burgers, taco in a bag, lemon shakeup, homemade and hand dipped ice cream, strawberry short cakes, elephant ears, funnel cakes, polish sausage, bloomin’ onions, breaded tenderloins, churros, BBQ and potato skins just to name a few.
Who to contact:
Parade, Marion Gill, 812-569-3476
Baby Contest, Kristye Lewis, 812-521-0901
Prince & Princess, Zabrina Nicholson, 812-793-2051
Entertainment, Bobby Deal, 812-889-3710
5K Glow Run/Walk, Kathie Rose, 812-595-1468
Pedal Tractor Pull, Tradition Young Farmers, 812-216-3981
Otter Basketball Camp, Kevin Hensley, 812-216-5302
Pie/Cake Contest, Danieta Foster, 812-793-3836
Pork Burger Contest, Denise Maxie, 812-530-6346
Fireman’s Water Ball Contest, Jason Hillenburg, 812-569-7468
Antique Tractors, Kevin Hoevener, 812-524-0372
Media Director, Brady Riley, 812-525-1399
Assistant Media Dr. Chester Jones, 812-216-0050
Zambelli Fireworks, Brady Riley, 812-525-1399
Master of Ceremonies, Terry Prine, 812-523-3869
Booths and General Info, Sherry Bridges, 812-569-0407