The Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival kicks off Thursday, June 11, for a flag waiving salute to Old Glory and military service veterans. This year’s event is June 11-13 held at the Crothersville Community School grounds.
This is the 40th festival for the annual patriotic salute tagged as “Indiana Most Patriotic Festival,” said festival director Sherry Bridges. Our community takes pride in honoring our veterans and Old Glory. Terry Prine will be master of ceremonies throughout the three-day festival. Bobby Deal is entertainment chairman.
Tonight (Wednesday) is bracelet night at the festival carnival. Brady Amusements will offer a special ride promotion. Discount bracelets can be purchased at The Peoples Bank in Crothersville for $13 that will allow children to ride all rides all night.
Always a crowd draw, the Baby Contest registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, in the main gym at CHS. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. Categories are, birth to three months, four to seven months, eight to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, 25 to 36 months and 37 to 48 months. First, second and third place will be awarded to a boy and a girl in each category. Entry fee is $5. The winners will be announced from the stage at 6 p.m.
Little Mr. & Little Miss Red White and Blue will be for boys and girls ages five to seven years old. Children must be dressed in patriotic colors and will be asked a few simple questions. Judging will be based on confidence, poise and stage presentation. Entry fee is $10. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. in the auxiliary gym with judging at 3:30 p.m. Winners will be announced at 6:15 p.m. from the stage. Crothersville Elementary PTO is sponsoring both events.
Booths open at 5 p.m. and at 5:30 the crowning of the 40th RWB Prince and Princess will take center stage. CHS Yearbook staff and sponsor Zabrina Nicholson is organizing the contest. Last year’s RWB Prince and Princess Harper Adams and Zoe Spangler will crown the new prince and princess.
Opening ceremonies will take place at 6:30pm from the stage as the community pauses to salute our local veterans and honor, “Old Glory.”
The RWB Talent show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Master of Ceremonies will be Robert Becker from 96.3 WJAA. Registration is at 7 p.m. at the announcer’s booth. Following the talent show The Paul Boggs Band will close out the evening.
On Friday, June 12, booths open at 5 p.m. also at 5 p.m. Crothersville Youth League will hand out awards for the year. At 5:30 a demo from KO’s Martial Arts will be in front of the stage. At 6 p.m. Country Kickers will perform.
Grandview Junction featuring former resident Linda Miller Musselwhite, will perform at 6:30 p.m.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., Real Country Music Show featuring Ron Gaddis from Nashville, Tennessee. Ron was lead man and bass guitar player for country music legend George Jones for over 20 years. He also has played with “The Voice” Vern Godson. Performing along with Gaddis will be Sam Pate, Bobby Deal, Danny Lang and Dave Jackson.
The Festival starts early Saturday June 13 with the Crothersville FFA serving breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
Tipping off at 8 a.m. in the main gym is the Jimmy Stewart Memorial 3/3 basketball tourney. Rita Cook is organizing the event with the proceeds going to the Crothersville Junior High girls basketball team.
The CHS Class of 2016 will hold a 5K Run/Walk beginning in front of the main entrance of the school beginning at 8:30 a.m.
At 10 a.m. entries for the Pie and Cake contest can be submitted in the lobby entrance of the gym till 11am. Categories for the pies are fruit, cream, your specialty and cobblers. For the cakes, layer, sheet, decorated and your specialty. Judging will begin at 11:15 a.m. Winners will be announced from the stage at 5:30 p.m. with a raffle to follow. Sarah Gerth 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.
Fun for the kids 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.
Registration for the 40th RWB Parade begins at noon in the parking lot of Alliance Bible Church at the corner of Moore and East Street.
Taking the stage at 12:30 p.m. and entertaining throughout the afternoon will be Jerry Zollman.
The Photo contest will return this year with entries being accepted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Judging begins at 1:30pm. Categories are nature, family, patriotic and life in Vernon Twp. Photos will be on display throughout the day in the photo booth located in front of the high school main entrance. Participants may pick up their photo that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Winners will announced at 5:30 p.m. from the stage.
The 40th RWB Festival Parade steps off at 4 p.m., Grand Marshal is Doris Kovener of Crothersville. Doris is a charter member of the festival committee and helped organize every RWB festival since 1976.
To commemorate the 40th Festival the committee will celebrate with a 40-40-40. “We are asking for 40 Veterans to walk the last 40 feet of the parade in celebration of the 40th Festival,” said Bridges. “Understanding some veterans will need assistance, a family member is encouraged to walk with them.” Veterans may wear full dress uniform, their hat or patriotic attire. To sign up to walk veterans can call Doris Kovener at 812-793-2573.
Immediately following the parade the winners of the Photo contest and the Pie & Cake contest will be announced followed by the desserts being raffled off by auctioneer Terry Prine. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Jackson County Veterans Nursing Home Christmas Cheer Baskets. There will also be a box placed by the stage for donations. Items needed are lap blankets, toiletries, puzzle books, socks, Kleenex.
On stage at 7:30 p.m. is Country-Rock band Gun Fire.
Throughout the festival the Antique Farm Machinery Show will take place along Howard street. Kevin and Melanie Hoevener are once again organizing the event which promises to be one of the biggest displays in southern Indiana.
At 8:45 p.m. the drawings for various booth raffles will be announced from the stage. Winners will be able to take their prizes home.
There will be wholesome family centered fun for everyone as Zambelli Fireworks will provide a patriotic fireworks show. Robert Becker and Radio 96.3 WJAA will broadcast live starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday at Bard Street Park and will start the count down at 10 p.m. as Zambelli Fireworks lights up the Crothersville sky. Visitors are encouraged to come early with their lawn chairs or blanket, mark their spot and head to the festival grounds and enjoy the food and visit with family and friends. 3-D glasses will be available for $1 for extra enjoyment.
All information and applications for events are on the website, www.CrothersvilleRWB.com or like us on Facebook.
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. Also, bicycles are not to be ridden on the festival grounds unless used in the parade.
The Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival Committee would like to thank our corporate sponsors, Aisin Drivetrain, Aisin Chemical, Cerro Wire, The Peoples Bank. Also, Bob Poynter GM, Rumpke, John Jones Auto Group and Radio 96.3 WJAA. Stewart-Hougland Funeral Home, Bryan Bowman Inc./Garlick Ford and Garth & Billie Kovener.
The festival committee encourages the community to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the events of the festival and visit with family and friends.
