(Posted June 23, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
This year’s Mount Sterling Community Days Festival coincides with Independence Day weekend. Two days of fun are planned—June 30, noon-11 p.m., and July 1, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., at Veterans Field and the adjacent Mount Sterling Community Center, 164 E. Main St.
New this year, the laser light show will take place both nights, instead of just one. The Newport Aquarium will present a live shark tank and penguin exhibit. Rides are back for the first time in three years, plus more children’s activities are scheduled. Residents are encouraged to hold yard sales in conjunction with the festival days.
The parade has been moved to a late afternoon start time in an attempt to avoid high heat. Pat Riley is this year’s parade grand marshal.
For more information about the festival and contest and activity entry forms, go to http://mountsterlingcc.org.
Schedule
Friday, June 30
Noon—Festival opens, food and rides
Noon-8 p.m.—Children’s activity tent (games, rock painting, face painting)
2 p.m.—ODNR water safety demo
4-6 p.m.—Chili cook-off (Veterans Field shelter house)
4-6 p.m.—Corn hole tournament
5-6 p.m.—Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker Contest (Veterans Field stage)
6 p.m.—Flag raising ceremony
7:30 p.m.—Will Baisden and the Saddle Ridge Band
9:45 p.m.—Laser light show
11 p.m.—Festival closes
Saturday, July 1
10 a.m.—Festival opens, food and rides
10-11 a.m.—Bicycle decorating contest (at the Community Center)
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—James Cotton Football Camp (ages 8-12 years old)
10 a.m.-2 p.m.—Car show, judging at 1 p.m., 50/50 raffle (at Dairy Freeze)
10 a.m.-6 p.m.—Quilt exhibit. Vote for your favorite quilt and be entered into prize drawings (Community Center)
10 a.m.-8 p.m.—Children’s activity tent (games, rock painting, face painting, dunk tank)
10 a.m.-7 p.m.—Street market (London Street), vendor market and chocolate (Community Center gym)
Noon-1 p.m.—Pie/baking contest judging (Community Center)
Noon-2 p.m.—Meet your favorite superheroes and Disney princesses
1:30-4 p.m.—James Cotton Football Camp (ages 13-17 years old)
2-4 p.m.—9th Annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia (Community Center Gym)
2 p.m.—ODNR water safety demo
5:30pm-6:30 p.m.—Let Freedom Ring Parade (New Street)
6-8 p.m.—Newport Aquarium live Shark Encounter & Penguins Exhibit
7-7:30 p.m.—Contest winners announced for parade, pie/baking contest, and “People’s Choice” quilt (Veterans Field stage)
7:30 p.m.—Coffman Road Band
9:45 p.m.—Laser light show
11 p.m.—Festival closes.
Contests/Activities
- Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker Contest—Set for 6 p.m. June 30, this contest is open to boys and girls ages 5-10 years old. Pre-register or register the day of the event at 5 p.m. at the Veterans Field stage. The entry fee is a requested $5 donation. Entrants are asked to wear patriotic apparel. All contestants are invited to ride in the parade on July 1.
- Jay-Car Chili Cook-Off—Bring your best pot of chili for judging. Register at 3:30 p.m. June 30. All entries must be ready for tasting by 4 p.m. Categories are people’s choice, best presentation (includ-ing the set-up area around the chili), and judge’s choice. Prizes will be awarded; a trophy goes to the maker of the best overall chili. The entry fee is a requested $5 donation to the Community Center.
- Pie/Baking Contest—Submit entries between 10 and 11 a.m. July 1. Judging starts at noon. Winners are announced at 7 p.m. The entry fee is $5. Items must be home-baked; no cream, pumpkin or custard desserts.
- Quilt Show—Enter your quilt creation for exhibition in the Community Center. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 1 and includes and adult and youth divisions. The entry fee is a requested $5 donation to the Community Center. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Additionally, a quilt made by the center’s Sew Social quilters will be up for silent auction during the show.
- Car Show—Registration starts at 10 a.m. July 1 at the Dairy Freeze, 85 N. London St. The entry fee is $10 per vehicle. Categories are muscle, classic, streetrod, modified and sports. Also planned are a 50/50 raffle, door prizes and a DJ spinning tunes.
- Bicycle Decorating Contest—Registration starts at 10 a.m. July 1 followed by judging at 11. Age categories are 2-5 years old for tricycles, 6-9 and 10-12 years old for bicycles. All contestants are invited to also ride in the parade at 5:30 p.m. the same day.
- Parade—Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade on July 1. Submit entry forms by 3 p.m. that day. Line-up starts at 4:30 on New Street between Friend and Chestnut streets. The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. The route follows New Street to Main Street to Clevenger Avenue to Columbus Street to John Street, ending at the Community Center. Prize categories are most creative, best agricultural, most patriotic, and spirit award. For details, contact Becky Martin at (740) 506-0006.
