Paul Kovert, Community’s Oldest WWII Veteran, To Be Parade Marshal
The Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival kicks off next Thursday, June 12, for a flag waving salute to Old Glory and military service veterans. This year’s event is June 12-14 held at the Crothersville Community School grounds.
This is the 39th year for the annual Patriotic salute tagged as “Indiana’s 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.
There will be wholesome family centered fun throughout the festival that culminates with a patriotic fireworks show by Zambelli Fireworks Saturday night.
The Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival Committee would like to thank corporate sponsors, Rumpke, The Peoples Bank, Aisin Drivetrain, Aisin Chemical, Cerro Wire, Regal Industries, Bob Poynter GM, John Jones Auto Group and Bryan Bowman Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, and Rose Acres.
Bobby Deal, entertainment chairman said, “the stage will be packed with bluegrass, country and gospel mixed in with some old time rock and roll.
Kicking off the festival on Wednesday evening, June 11, will be bracelet night at the carnival. Brady Amusements will offer a special ride promotion. Discount bracelets can be purchased at The Peoples Bank in Crothersville for $13.
Always a crowd draw, the Baby Contest registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. June 12 in the CHS main gym. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. Categories are, 0 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 $5.00. The winners will be announced from the stage at 6 p.m.
New this year is the Little Mr. & Miss Red White and Blue 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 in the auxiliary gym with judging begins at 3:30 p.m. Winners will announced at 6:15 p.m. from the stage.
The Crothersville Elementary PTO is sponsoring both contests. Parents can pre-register for the baby contest and Mr. & Miss RWB by calling 812-707-9047 or 812-569-0407.
Booths open at 5 p.m. on Thursday and at 5:30 the crowning of the 39th RWB Festival Prince and Princess will take center stage. CHS Yearbook staff and sponsor Zabrina Nicholson is organizing the contest. Last year’s Festival Prince and Princess, Ethan Shirley and Lexi James will crown the new prince and princess.
Opening ceremonies will take place at 6:30 from the stage as the community pauses to salute our local veterans and honor “Old Glory.”
Taking the stage at 7pm will be, Carlie Seal. Also, at 7pm the VFW Post 1083 Ladies Auxiliary will hold a cakewalk.
The RWB Talent Show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Master of ceremonies will be Robert Becker from 96.3 WJAA. Following the talent show, Crothersville’s own Brian Fink will close out the evening.
Friday, June 13, booths open at 5 p.m. and taking stage will be, Hill Billy Rush, country band. County Kickers will perform in front of the stage at 6 p.m.
The VFW Post 1083 Ladies Auxiliary will hold cake walk at 7pm. Also starting at 7 p.m., bluegrass will be heard on stage from the band, Spare Change Bluegrass.
The Fiddle Contest is back again this year but with two categories: Young fiddlers up to age 15 and adults 16 and older. The contest will begin at 7:45. Winners will receive cash prizes.
Grandview Junction featuring former Crothersville resident Linda Miller Musselwhite, will perform bluegrass and gospel at 8:30 p.m. and close out Friday evening.
The Festival starts early Saturday, June 14, with the FFA serving breakfast 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.
The CHS Class of 2016 will hold a 5K Run/Walk in front of the main entrance of the school beginning at 8:30.
At 9 a.m. entries for the Pie and Cake contest can be submitted in the lobby entrance of the gym till 10 a.m. Categories for the pies are fruit, cream, your specialty and cobblers. For the cakes, layer, sheet, decorated and your specialty. Judging will begin at 10:30. Winners will be announced from the stage at 5:30 p.m. with a raffle to follow. Sarah Cole 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 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.
Registration for the Crothersville Red White & Blue Festival Parade begins at noon on East Street. The Lions Club will organize the parade.
The photo contest will return this year with entries being accepted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Judging will take place at 1:30. Categories are nature, family, patriotic and life in Vernon Twp. Photos will be on display throughout the day in the photo booth located near the main entrance of the high school. Participants may pick up their photo that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. from the stage.
A local favorite for the youth, Lasting Hope will entertain the crowd starting at 12:30 p.m. Cece and friends will be center stage at 2 p.m.
The Festival Parade will step off at 4 p.m. Paul Kovert, at age 93, is Crothersville oldest resident and oldest World War II veteran, will be the parade marshal. Kovert served from 1942-1945 in India, the South Pacific, and several other duty stations.
Immediately following the parade, the winners of the Photo contest and the Pie & Cake contest will be announced followed by the dessert’s being raffled by auctioneer Terry Prine.
Hill Billy Rush county rock band will perform at 6 p.m., followed by Paul Boggs at 7 p.m. Southern Comfort, a local favorite, will close out the festival music at 8 p.m.
Zambelli Fireworks has designed a patriotic fireworks show starting with a community count down at 10 p.m. from Bard Street Park. Viewing area’s will be the elementary parking lot and along East Street in the grass area between the baseball and softball diamonds.
Throughout the festival the Antique Farm Machinery Show will take place along Howard Street. Kevin Hoevener is organizing the event that promises to be one of the biggest displays in southern Indiana.
At 8:45 p.m. the drawings 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.
Lawn Chairs are welcome to be set up along the festival grounds for family & friends to visit. 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 parades.
