|
|
| Upcoming annual festival eatures weekend full of activities |
|
|
8/6/2010
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
Mt. Sterling will celebrate itself as a slice of Americana Aug. 21-22 during Small Town America Weekend.
The weekend features a variety of events, including a 5K Run/Walk, car show, arts and crafts festival, cornhole, talent show, high school football and an air show.
“There’s an activity for everyone and that’s what makes it special I think,” Tourism Director Tracy Pearce said.
The Small Town America Festival began four years ago as a celebration in recognition of a song “Small Town America” written by Mt. Sterling native Jeff Vice. The festival has grown each year since.
The weekend begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, with the 5K run/walk from Silver Creek Estates to Old Silo Golf Course. Entry includes a T-shirt. To register, visit www.mtsterlingparks.org or call 498-8728.
The eighth annual Gateway Special Olympics Car, Truck, Tractor and Motorcycle Show will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the downtown parking lot along Locust Street. The show featured about 300 entries last year. To register, call 498-9874.
Pearce encouraged people to visit the show, which raises money for a good cause in Special Olympics.
Beginning at 10 a.m. an arts and crafts festival will be held at the courthouse square featuring an assortment of unique arts and crafts. There will also be live music by Decades of Music. To become a vendor, call 498-6264.
Pearce stressed that organizers are looking for quality arts and crafts, not knock-off items you might find at other festivals. Church and civic groups are welcome to set up booths to raise money.
The event had 42 vendors last year and Pearce expects to attract about 50 this year.
Among this year’s vendors will be Chef Doug Johannes from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, who will be offering a taste of the Islands through his culinary skills. The Cattleman’s Association will offer ribeyes, hamburgers and hot dogs.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet author Kim Huston, who wrote “Small Town Sexy” about the allure of a small town.
The book includes comments from Sandy Romenesko, executive director of the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Montgomery County Industrial Authority. Copies will be offered for sale.
Another fundraising event is the Gateway Children’s Service’s Cornhole Tournament held on the lawn at the Montgomery County Health and Civic Center. There is a maximum of 64 teams for the sanctioned event. The cost is $20 per team. Registration forms are available at 37 N. Maysville St. or you may call 498-9892.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Ale-8 One Small Town America Talent Showcase on the courthouse lawn. The event will feature live entertainment from up to 20 contestants.
The winner of the talent contest receives a free professional recording session with Vice, a Nashville songwriter and producer.
There will also be a special performance by 2009 talent winner Elliott Collett. The Clearfield resident has gone on to a professional singing career in the year since. Registration forms are available at 126 W. Main St. or by calling 498-8732.
The day will culminate with the 63rd annual Recreation Bowl at Cunningham Field on the Montgomery County High School campus. The game will pit the MCHS Indians against the Harrison County Thorobreds.
The Recreation Bowl is the state’s oldest high school bowl game.
Sunday morning includes the 39th annual Fly-In Breakfast at the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Airport from 7-11 a.m. From 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. the airport will offer airplane rides, an antique aircraft display and candy drop for the children.
The airport will have an extra plane this year to reduce the wait for a ride, Pearce said.
Pearce said the whole idea behind the festival is to get the community together and have a good time.
“What I really want to see is the community all take advantage of this time; to come out and have some fun together and as a community hang out together and celebrate our small town,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s what makes our small town special.”
You may visit www. mtsterlingtourism.com for all event registration and further information. The site also has a link to the “Small Town America” music video.
|
|
|
|
|