The Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival kicks off June 13 for a flag waving salute to Old Glory and military service veterans. This year’s event is June 13-15 held at the school grounds.
“This is the 38th year for the annual Patriotic salute tagged as ‘Indiana’s Most Patriotic Festival’”, said festival director Sherry Bridges. “Our community takes pride in honoring veterans and Old Glory.”
There will be a variety of food ranging from locally prepared FFA porkburgers, walking tacos, shaved ice, pulled pork BBQ, elephant ears, Amish homemade ice cream, bloomin’ onions, polish sausage, pineapple whip ice cream, Mexican food, lemon shake ups and fish will be served at the fire house on Moore Street.
The Crothersville-Vernon Township volunteer Fire Department will be serving fish sandwiches and rib eye sandwiches from the fire station on Moore Street. Serving will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Kicking off the festival on Wednesday evening, June 12 will be bracelet night at the carnival. Derby City Amusement will offer a special ride promotion. Discount bracelets can be purchased at The Peoples Bank in Crothersville for $12.
Always a crowd draw, the Baby contest registration will begin at 4 p.m. in the main gym. Judging begins at 4:30 p.m. Registration fee is $5.
Booths open at 5 p.m. and at 5:30 the crowning of the 38th RWB Festival Prince & Princess will take center stage. CHS Year Book Staff sponsor Zabrina Nicholson is organizing the contest. The 37th Festival Princess, Cami Keasler will crown the new Prince and Princess.
At 6 p.m. the Baby Contest winners will be announced from the stage. First, second and third place will be awarded to a boy and a girl in the following categories, 0 to three months, four to six months, seven to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, 24 to 35 months and 36 to 48 months, and a Most Patriotic category. Mirinda Fowler Photography will be donating pictures to the most Patriotic winner. Crothersville Elementary PTO is sponsoring the contest.
Official opening ceremonies will take place at 6:30 p.m.. Once again the community will pause to honor one of our local veterans. Howard “Howie” Rothring Jr. will be remembered. Rothring, 1964 graduate of Crothersville High School, was killed in the spring of 1966 in South Vietnam while his unit was guarding an air strip.
Taking the stage at 7 p.m. will be, The Itis Band playing pop and rock music. Also, at 7 p.m. the VFW Post 1083 Ladies Auxiliary will hold a cake walk.
The RWB Talent Show will begin at 7:30 p.m., registration for the Talent Show will be at the Disabled Veterans Booth starting at 6 p.m. Master of ceremonies will be Robert Becker from 96.3 WJAA.
Following the talent show the country rock band Hillbilly Rush will close the evening’s activities.
On Friday, June 14 in celebration of Flag Day the Disabled Veterans Wish Foundation of Indiana will launch over 200 balloons at 5 p.m. The festival committee asks everyone to wear red on Friday to salute, “Old Glory.” Immediately following the balloon launch Wendy Lynn Adams will perform gospel music.
New this year for some wholesome family fun an “Ugly Woman” contest is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Local men of the community have been invited to strut their stuff as they parade across the festival stage in feminine attire.
The Indiana Blood Center will hold a blood drive from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. The unit will be parked along North Preston Street in front of the school. Anyone who donates will receive a free FFA Porkburger.
Country Kickers line dancing will perform at 6 p.m. in front of the stage. At 7 p.m. the VFW Post 1083 Ladies Auxiliary will hold a cake walk.
The Spare Change Band will kick off the evening at 7 p.m. with bluegrass music followed by the Fiddle Contest at 7:45 p.m. in which the winner will receive $100.
Local signer/musician Brian Fink will perform an acoustic set at the fire station Friday evening.
Grandview Junction featuring from Crothersville resident Linda Miller Musselwhite, will perform bluegrass and gospel music and close out the evening,
For the youth, Christian rock band, “Lasting Hope” will be in concert at the elementary playground.
Friday evening clowns, Mulligan and Clucky will be strolling through the festival grounds entertaining folks.
The Festival starts early Saturday June 15 with the FFA serving breakfast from their booth at 6:30 a.m.. At 8 a.m. in the main gym is the Jimmy Stewart Memorial 3/3 basketball tourney. Chad Wilson is in charge of the games.
New this year for those who enjoy photography, a photo contest will be held in the lobby entrance of the gym. Photos can be registered from 8 a.m. to noon. Judging will began at noon. Categories are, nature, family, patriotic and life in Vernon Twp. Photos will be on display throughout the day. Participants may pick up their photo that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Winners will be announced at 5:30 from the stage. For more information contact Sarah Freeman.
At 8:30 a.m. the CHS Class of 2016 will hold a 5K Run/Walk in front of the main entrance to the school. Also, at 8:30 registration for the Corn Hole tourney will begin in front of the gym entrance. A cash prize will be awarded to the winners. Chris Lanning is organizing this event and the first toss will begin at 10 a.m.
Entries for the Pie and Cake contest can be submitted in the lobby entrance of the gym from 9 a.m. to noon. Categories for the pies are, fruit, cream, your specialty and cobblers. For the cakes, layer, sheet, your specialty and decorated. Winners will be announced from the stage at 5:30 with a raffle to follow. Sarah Freeman is in charge of this event and it’s open to everyone. She encourages everyone even the men to show off their baking skills. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Jackson County Nursing Home Veterans Cheer Baskets. Also, a donation box will be located by the stage for folks to donate items for the baskets. Items needed are, lap blankets, puzzle books, toiletries etc.
Starting at 9 a.m. SNAP Fitness from Seymour will hold a Family Fitness Workout in front of the stage. Rachel Ely Mellencamp and her staff will lead festival goers in the early morning workout. Cost is $1 a person.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department will offer fingerprint identification for children. Fingerprints will be taken from 10 a.m. to noon at the RWB info booth.
Fun for the kid’s starts at noon with the Pet & Bike Parade. Participants will line up in front of the stage. Children are encouraged to decorate their bike or bring their favorite pet. Jessica Graff expects a good turn out this year.
Registration for the RWB Parade begins at noon on East Street. The Crothersville Lions Club is the sponsor.
The first annual RWB Golf Scramble will tee off at 1 p.m. at Westwood Golf Course in Scottsburg. Marc Bowman is organizing this event.
At 1 p.m. Wendy Lynn Adams will return to the stage. Then at 2 p.m., Stars & Stripes line dancers will perform.
KO’s Martial Arts from Seymour will give a demonstration in front of the stage at 3 p.m.
The 38th Red White & Blue Festival Parade steps off at 4 p.m., local veteran Walter Mosley is the Parade Marshal.
Immediately following the parade the winners of the Photo contest and the Pie & Cake contest will be announced followed by the raffle.
Brian Fink will take center stage at 6 p.m. followed by The Paul Boggs Band at 7 p.m. Southern Comfort will close 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.
Returning this year is the petting zoo. Children of all ages will enjoy up close llamas, miniature donkeys and horses, a baby camel, micro pig and pigmy goats to name just a few. Youngsters can purchase a cup of feed for $1 to feed the animals. Also, pony rides will be available.
At 8:45 p.m. the drawing for the various booth raffles will be announced from the stage. Winners will be able to take their prizes home.
Handicap parking will be in the school Administration Building parking lot at the south end of Preston Street. Restrooms are located inside the gym entrance to the left.
The Festival committee recommends that you leave your pets at home, only service animals are allowed on the grounds. Also, bicycles are not to be ridden on the festival grounds unless used in the parades.
The committee encourages the community to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the events of the festival and to visit with family and friends.
