After COVID-19 caused festival cancellations nationwide last year, the Crothersville Red, White & Blue Festival is making plans for the community’s 46th patriotic salute.
What began in 1976 as the local observance of the Nation’s Bicentennial, has continued annually (the COVID pandemic excluded) ever since.
“Throughout the years we have remained a patriotic themed festival honoring veterans and our flag,” said Erica Gorbett, festival director.
This year there will be traditional and new attractions.
“There’ll be hot air balloon rides, a carnival, plenty of food and local entertainment and culminated with a fireworks display,” said Gorbett.
This year’s festival will be June 10-12.
Bracelet night at the carnival will be Thursday, June 10. Pre-sale of bracelets will be through June 9. The all-you-can-ride bracelet is on sale for $13 and available only at The Peoples Bank in Crothersville.
“No day of event bracelets will be sold,” Gorbett said.
This year’s carnival is operated by Bluegrass Rides and will be thrilling youngsters all three days of the festival.
The festival begins at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 10 with a salute to veterans followed at 5:30 p.m. by the Prince and Princess contest
Fishers’ of Men will perform at 6:30 from the festival stage followed at 8 p.m. by Mary’s Dad Band. The festival will close for the evening at 9 p.m.
Friday, June 11, events kick off at 5 p.m. with the Country Kickers performing in front of the festival stage.
Steven Deweese will be in concert at 6 p.m. and the Dallas Cole Band performs at 7 p.m.
Also at 7 p.m. will be tethered hot air balloon rides in the Bard Street Park area. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 3-12 years of age. Midwest Balloon Rides is providing the high level thrills.
In the event of rainy or windy weather, the attraction will be delayed until Saturday, June 12.
Mixed Media performs from the stage at 8 p.m. and On The House band will close out the Friday night festival.
Saturday will be a day full of fun and attractions beginning at 9 a.m. with the Crothersville-Vernon Township Fire Department’s organized waterball fight. For team registration information contact mblair@crothersvillefire.com or visit the department Facebook page.
A car show featuring all-comers will take place on Saturday. And a pedal tractor pull be contested at 11 a.m. Saturday.
There will be a wild west show and shootout featuring Annie Oakley. The Annie Oakley sideshow is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
The Stars and Stripes Cloggers will dance at the festival stage at 12:30 p.m. and the traditional festival parade steps off at 1:30 from the Bard Street Park. The parade will got west on Bard to US 31, then south of US 31 to the firestation where it will turn east onto Moore Street then turn north onto Preston through the festival grounds before disbanding.
The Wild West re-enactment will take place at 3 p.m.
The pet & bike parade steps off for the youngsters at 4 p.m. and the judging of the baby contest begins at that time. At 4:30 p.m. the baby contest winners will be announced.
Age categories for the baby contest are birth to 6 months, 7-12 month, 1-2 years, and 3-4 years for both boys and girls. Entry fee is just $5 and the event is sponsored by the Phi Beta Psi sorority,
Colt Wienhorst will perform on the stage at 5 p.m. Double XL (formerly Southern Comfort) takes to the stage at 6. Jackson Snelling performs at 7 p.m. followed by Dusty Road’s Bank at 8.
Crothersville recording group Brian Fink and Mudslide will close out the festival music at 9 p.m.
The fireworks will put a loud and colorful exclamation point to this year’s festival at 10 p.m.
A festival long event is a RWB Hoopfest Youth Basketball Tournament on Friday & Saturday. For more information contact John Riley at 812-528-0610 or email J11Riley@live.com.
For festival questions or event information contact Erica Gorbett at 812- 569-4019 or email egorbett@crothersvillerwb.com.
