Canal Winchester celebrates the end of the summer season with music, food, marching bands, and yes, even a tub full of slime, at the village’s annual three day Labor Day Festival.
The 2008 edition kicks off on Aug. 30 at 10:30 a.m. with activities throughout the heart of the village. Carnival rides offer thrill seekers of all ages a chance to defy gravity, twist, turn, and float in mechanized giants, while others with their feet planted firmly on the pavement can listen to music or watch local acts perform on one of two stages or wander through an arts and crafts area.
At the Stradley Place Family Stage, Vaudvillities and the Christy Angeletti Band are in concert on Aug. 30, followed by an afternoon of children’s activities on Aug. 31 starting at noon with musical chairs, hula hoop and limbo contests, and an ice cream eating competition.
"Instead of having a shaving cream contest this year, we’re going to have a Slime Tug of War," said Labor Day Committee member Bobbie Mershon. "We’re also bringing back the pet dress-up with an employee from Jacks Aquarium and Pets judging the animals for first, second, and third place."
Children have the opportunity to win cash prizes in kids’ games to spend at the festival. In addition, gift certificates will be awarded to the top finishers in the ice cream eating contest and the winner of the pet dress-up contest.
"Studio 7.5 is holding an art exhibit on Saturday (Aug. 30) from noon to 4 p.m.," continued Mershon. "It’s a great opportunity to see great art and because the studio is not open all the time. Shade’s is also starting something new this year. They’re sponsoring a chicken wings eating contest after the parade on Monday on the Main Stage.
"We’re bringing back Shuckin’ Bubba Deluxe and British Invasion because they got such a good response. There’s also a 2K run on Sunday morning (8 a.m.) that starts in front of Fitness Firm. The parade is on Labor Day (Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.) and I think is the biggest parade in central Ohio."
Vintage cars and their modern counterparts will line the streets of Canal Winchester on Aug. 31 when the annual Labor Day Car Show rumbles into town from noon to 4 p.m. Awards for the Top 40, Queen’s Choice, Mayor’s Choice, Judge’s Choice, Committee Choice, and Best of Show will be handed out on the Main Stage at the end of the show.
Drivers participating in the show can pick up one of 200 car plaques, win a door prize, or try their luck in a 50/50 drawing. Proceeds from the car show benefit the Peggy Wood Pageant Scholarship Fund.
The Tiny and Little Miss Contest takes place on the first day of the festival at 11 a.m., followed by the Junior and Miss Pageant at 3 p.m. on the Main Stage. Sandwiched between the pair of pageant contests, is Puttin’ on the Hits, a Karaoke-esque competition, at 1 p.m. on Aug. 30 and again on Sept 1. Participants are asked to register by 12:45 p.m. at the festival information booth.
New this year is Kingy’s Beer Garden/Hospitality Tent, located in the parking lot behind Bolenbaugh’s Hardware store. The tent, for adults only and monitored by law enforcement, opens at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and Monday and 12 p.m. on Sunday and features a big screen television and live entertainment throughout the festival.
The festival is open on Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Aug. 31, noon – 11 p.m.; and Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. For information on the Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival, visit www.cwlaborday.org.
