Cy Young Days Festival: Allyn Hart enjoys serving
Allyn Hart, Cy Young Days Festival Mini Queen, enjoys making new friends and meeting new people.
Allyn Hart, 10, of Newcomerstown enjoys making friends, meeting new people and attending festivals so much that she has been serving her community as a member of the Cy Young Days festival court for three years. The past year she has served as the festival’s Mini Queen.
She is the daughter of Amber Hart and Jason Conley. She has one brother, Dylan Hart.
For Allyn Hart, serving on the royal court has led to opportunities to help others. A local boy was having serious health problems, which included open heart surgery. Hart dropped by his home to represent the court and cheer him up.
Her mother recalled the evening she and her daughter, Allyn Hart, were able to help someone else together.
“She read him stories, we gave him gifts, and I dressed up as a giant inflatable gingerbread man, and we danced,” Amber Hart said.
“That was my favorite part. It was something special I got to do,” Allyn Hart said.
Allyn Hart also loves the Cy Young Days festival itself including the talent show, old fashioned baseball games, and, of course, the rides and games.
“We have a good festival,” Allyn Hart said.
She should know because she has visited other festivals while on the court. Her favorite festival outside of the area has been the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival. She enjoyed seeing the large pumpkins featured there and seeing the carved pumpkins.
One of her other favorite things about serving on the festival court is the opportunity to hang out with the other members. Everyone gets along well and tries to help each other. It’s a family atmosphere when the court and their families get together.
Being a member of the court has led to Allyn Hart gaining more confidence, experience in public speaking and introducing herself on stage to crowds of people.
Another favorite memory was going to the dedication of the Newcomerstown’s mural featuring Cy Young and Woody Hayes as a member of the Cy Young Days Festival court.
Allyn Hart has some good advice for others who might want to serve on the court.
“You should try, not be scared, and do your best,” she said.
When she’s not attending to her duties on the court, Allyn Hart enjoys reading. She also likes to She is a fifth grader at Newcomerstown West School where her favorite subject is English Language Arts. She has also participated in tumbling and basketball. At home, she enjoys having friends over to play Nintendo and helps care for the family’s cat and dog.
She and her family are members of the Calvary Methodist Church.
The Cy Young Days Festival will be held this year June 27-29. Organizers recently announced this year’s guest of honor will be Greg Swindell. Swindell is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He has played for numerous teams including the Cleveland Indians. Swindell was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks when they won the World Series in 2001.
The festival committee has already announced some of the activities for the event. Entertainment is scheduled for all three days. The festival will officially open June 27 and include introductions of the new 2025 festival royal court. A cornhole tournament will also be held.
June 28 events include the Hero Hustle 5-K costume run/walk, the luncheon and bat auction, an autograph signing by Swindell, and the parade.
June 29 events will include the Ron Porcher Memorial Vintage Baseball Game at the Cy Young Park, car show, talent show, and pet show.