The 35 annual Crothersville Lions Club Red, White & Blue Festival kicks off tomorrow for a flag waving salute to Old Glory and military service veterans. The year’s even is June 10-12 held at the school grounds.
“We’ll be bringing some local traditions and some new entrees to add to the festival flavor,” said local festival chairman Sherry Bridges. Fiesta Carnival will kick off the festival tonight (Wednesday) with a special ride promotion.
“And there’ll be food galore,” she added highlighting locally prepared FFA porkburgers, fire department fish sandwiches and a wide variety of lemon shake-ups, taco in a bag, homemade ice cream and pulled pork BBQ sandwiches.
Always a crowd draw, the Baby Contest will begin registration at 4:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Thursday, June 9.
Booths will open at 5 p.m. and at 6 p.m. the crowning of the 35th Red, White & Blue Festival Princess will take center stage.
At 6:15 p.m. the Baby Contest winners will be announced.
Official opening ceremonies will take place at 6:30 p.m. where we will pause for a moment to honor our fallen heroes, said Bridges.
“This will be a memorial services for all deceased veterans,” said Bridges. “I encourage family members to bring a photo of their veteran who is deceased to the festival stage prior to the opening ceremony where it will be on display during the evening.”
The Red, White & Blue Talent Show will be returning to its original rules with performances beginning at 7 p.m. Sara Cole is in charge of the event.
Following the talent show the gospel group “Rising Saints” will perform.
On Friday, June 11, Country Kickers will kick off the evening’s events at 6 p.m. and the Crothersville FFA pedal pull will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The gospel melodies of “From the Ashes” from Uniontown Baptist Church will perform at 7 p.m. At the same time the CHS alumni basketball game will tip off in the auxiliary gym. Any CHS graduate, male or female, can participate. Proceeds from the event benefit the CHS athletic department.
At 8 p.m. Redneck Rattlesnake Bank closes out the evening’s entertainment.
Saturday starts early with the FFA serving breakfast at 6:30 a.m.
At 8:30 a.m. the CHS Class of 2014 will hold a 5K Run/Walk. At 9 a.m. an adult co-ed volleyball tourney will be plated. Kara Hunt is organizing the event to benefit the CHS volleyball program.
John Riley will be drawing teams for the 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney at 9 a.m.
Registration for a Corn Hole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. Last years this popular event brought many out of state teams to compete at the festival event.
At 11:30 a.m. the Pet & Bike Parade for children grades Kindergarten through 5th grade steps off. Annette Hagen is organizing the parade.
At 3 p.m. the Columbia Cloggers will perform.
The 35th Red, White & Blue Parade will begin at 4 p.m. from Bard Street, go west to US 31, the south to Moore St. and east to Preston then north on Preston through the festival.
Wilbur “Sonny” Walker will be the parade marshal. Walker left school to join the Navy during World War II. Earlier this year, he was presented a high school diploma from Crothersville High School.
Immediately following the parade the Lighthouse Tabernacle youth will be performing.
The annual Dog Show will be held at 8 p.m.
A crowd pleaser for a number of years, Allene Hougland will share the daily dabble of Dorothy June Higgins.
Elvis impersonator Travis Albertson will drive his pink Cadillac in to town on Saturday at perform on the festival stage at 7 p.m.
At 8 p.m., performing for the first time will be gospel rock band “Quarantined.”
Closing out the festival will be the local band “4-Given”.
Friday & Saturday evenings the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will hold cake walks.
The Antique Farm Machinery show is getting notable attention from all over the state. Kevin Hoevener is chairman of the show and said he expects a record number of tractors. Last year, more than 30 tractors participated in the festival parade.
“Something new this year will be a motorcycle show,” said Bridges. Motorcycles will be on display from 2-4 p.m. “They will be taking part in the parade and be back on display following the parade.” Pastor Irvin & Jill Benge are in charge of the event. Trophies for the seven class Bike Show will be awarded at 8 p.m. Saturday evening. All proceeds from the Bike Show will go to the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation.
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.
“The festival asks that you leave pets at home unless you are entering them in a contest,” advised Bridges. “Also, bicycles are not to be ridden on the festival grounds.
“We encourage the community to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the events of the festival and to visit with family and friends,” she added.
Who To Contact
Baby Contest: Taleen Baker, 216-3551
Talent Show: Sarah Cole, 525-9709
Pedal Tractor Pull: Dennis Maxie, 216-1951
CHS Alumni Basketball: Chad Wilson, 530
5K Run/Walk: Dennis Maxie, 216-1951
Co-Ed Volleyball Tourney: Kara Hunt, 569-0455
3/3 Basketball: John Riley, 528-0610
Corn Hole Tourney: Terry Prine, 523-3869
Motorcycle Show: Irvin & Jill Benge, 793-2577
Pet & Bike Parade: Annette Hagen, 793-3117
Dog Show: Doris Kovener, 793-2573
Antique Farm Machinery: Kevin Hoevener, 524-0372
Parade: Buster Erwin, 521-5053
Carnival: Todd Baker, 528-9254
General Info: Sherry Bridges, 569-0407
