In a little over two weeks the 36th annual Crothersville Lions Club Red, White & Blue Festival kicks off and area residents will be heading to the Crothersville School grounds with lawn chairs to enjoy wholesome family fun, area bands and great festival food.
The annual salute to veterans and the nation’s flag is June 9-11.
Starting off this year’s festival on Wednesday will be a community dinner sponsored by the Methodist Church in Crothersville. Served from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Fellowship Hall on US 31, the menu will consist of beef manhattan, green beans, salads, desserts and beverages. A free will donation will be accepted with proceeds going to the church’s youth group activities.
Fiesta Carnival will begin Wednesday evening with a special ride promotion, according to Red, White & Blue Festival director Sherry Bridges.
“A new event this year will be a pie baking contest,” she said. The contest is open to all pie bakers in the area. Pies can be registered on Saturday morning of the festival in the school gymnasium lobby. Janet Lewis is heading up the event.
The baby contest will begin Thursday evening’s activities on the festival stage followed by the crowning of the RWB Festival Princess.
Opening ceremonies honoring all veterans will be at 6:30 p.m.
The talent show ill begin at 7 p.m. Sarah Cole is overseeing this event. Following the talent show ill be the classic rock band “Code Blue”.
Friday evening is a full schedule of events including Rebecca Lewis from Richmond, Kentucky with a tribute to Patsy Cline, the Copperbottom Band at 7 p.m. and Southern Comfort at 8 p.m.
The Crothersville FFA will be serving breakfast at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Crothersville Class of 2016 is sponsoring the 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. A Co-Ed volleyball tournament also begins at 8:30 a.m. A 3-on-3 Basketball tourney will begin at 9 a.m.
Fun for the kids begins with a Bubble Gum Blowing contest at 10:30 a.m. at a Pet & Bike Parade at 11:30 a.m.
Registration for the festival parade begins at noon.
Rebecca Lewis returns to the stage at 2 p.m. with her musical variety show.
The 36th RWB Festival Parade steps off at 4 p.m. with a slightly different parade route than previous years.
The parade begins at Bard Street Park and heads west on Bard Street turning south on US 31. The parade then turns east on Main Street, travels to Preston where it will turn north heading through the festival grounds before disbanding.
“This change had to occur because of providing emergency vehicles an alternative route during the parade,” said Bridges.
Lonesome Highway Bluegrass Band will be on stage at 6 p.m. followed by the Nazarene Kids Stix.
The 812 Band closes out the festival at 8 p.m.
Throughout the festival the Antique Farm Machinery Show will take place along Howard Street. Kevin Hoevener is organizing the event which promises to be one of the biggest displays in southern Indiana, Bridges said.
“These are just some of the highlights of this year’s festival and we are still putting the finishing touches on a few other events,” said Bridges. “We have a little something for everyone from Classic Rock, Bluegrass, Gospel and Country. For your taste buds there is pulled pork BBQ, pork burgers, fish, taco in a bag, fried veggies, elephant ears, foot long hot dogs, giant stuffed potatoes, shaved ice and lemon shake-ups.”
Festival Information
Who To Contact
Booths & Information: Sherry Bridges 569-0407
Talent Show: Sarah Cole 525-9709
Pie Contest: Janet Lewis 793-2752
Pedal Tractor Pull: Dennis Maxie 216-1951
CHS Alumni Basketball: Drew Markel 793-2051
5K Run/Walk: Tina Kilgore 793-3670
Co-Ed Volleyball: Drew Markel 793-2051
3/3 Basketball: John Riley 528-0610
Pet & Bike Parade: Annette Hagen 793-3117
Antique Farm Show: Kevin Hoevener 524-0372
Parade: ‘Buster’ Erwin 521-5053
Carnival: Todd Baker 528-9254
