Early American Days jam-packed with 2 days of fun
You never know what you might find at the annual Killbuck Early American Days. There will be plenty of local flavor dotting the schedule, and Killbuck will become a giant reunion for those who have grown up there.
If someone can’t find something to pique their interest during the annual Killbuck Early American Days weekend Sept. 1-2, they simply aren’t trying very hard.
With a line-up of activities for kids, families and adults, it will be a two-day festival that’s crammed with events from live music and kids’ games to the grand parade and even midget wrestling.
“It is fun for everyone, but for people who live or have lived in Killbuck in years past, it is a reunion atmosphere and a celebration,” EAD committee member Darlene Lint said.
The Girl Scouts of America Troop 777 will have pony rides on Saturday, Sept. 1 from 1-6 p.m. by the kids’ games. There will be a cost for the rides.
The annual softball tournament will kick off at 10 p.m. The queen contest will begin at noon, and the public is invited to come watch the local girls compete for the queen, junior queen, princess and little miss crowns at Duncan Theater.
The kiddie tractor pull registration will begin at noon, and there also will be plenty of kids’ games from 1-6 p.m. Live on the main stage at 3 p.m. will be The Daughtry Three.
“It’s time for the little ones to come out and show us what they have,” Lint said. “This is for kiddos up to 12 years old, and there is no cost to participate.”
Next up is the garden tractor pull with registration taking place at noon. North Central Garden Tractor Pulls will come to Killbuck for asphalt pulls, and anyone who wants to rev up their garden tractor and participate is invited to register. There is a small fee to participate.
The Killbuck Fire Department will present a demonstration on life-saving techniques from 4-5 p.m. “This is a show people won’t want to miss,” Lint said.
Another new addition to the slate this year is the Killbuck Has Talent Show, which will take place from 5-7 p.m. Lint said they are still seeking talented singers, musicians, dancers, gymnasts and other performers or at least performers who are brave enough to strut their talent on stage. Both groups and individuals are invited to perform with cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 at stake. To register or for further information, email killbuckead@gmail.
There also will be a Touch the Truck event on Saturday from 5:30-7 p.m. This is a family event where kids of all ages can rub elbows with their hometown heroes who own and operate their favorite construction trucks, fire engines, police cars and more.
“If a company would like to enter a truck, there is no cost to have a truck in the line-up, and all businesses and organizations are welcome to join the fun,” Lint said. “We really need more trucks, and this is an exciting chance for the kids to see these trucks inside and out.”
All trucks must be registered before the event. As of press time the list includes the Holmes Library Bookmobile, a RIGZ Towing tow truck, J. Miller & Son Excavating truck and bulldozer, Killbuck Fire emergency vehicles, a Holmes County Engineer snow plow, and a Holmes-Wayne Electric bucket truck with rides.
Downtown Killbuck will be hopping from 7-9 p.m. when Crow Works presents a live musical performance by Electric Circus. “It’s an in-your-face, high-energy rock and pop cover band,” Lint said. “They play music from the ‘80s through today, and they are the most interactive band in our area.”
The night doesn’t have to slow down for the adults because the Killbuck VFW will present an After Party with disc jockey Matty B from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There is no cover charge for this event at the VFW.
Sunday, Sept. 2 will see the continuation of the softball tournament at noon, a time which will also usher in the annual West Holmes Youth Football Barbecue.
At 1 p.m. there will be a presentation honoring local columnist Lucille Lowe, who wrote the column, “Chit Chat.” Her family will present the Killbuck Museum with a legacy of Lowe’s articles complied into a book.
Before the grand parade kicks off at 2 p.m., the EAD committee will honor this year’s grand marshal Jane Voltz at 1:20 p.m., and the grand parade will march down Main Street at 2 p.m. While waiting for the parade, kids will want to catch the “Magic Nate Show,” a mixture of classic and modern magic.
“He is amazing,” Lint said of Magic Nate. “He puts on a magic show that is sure to mesmerize both kids and adults.”
Magic Nate will present three shows on Sunday at 1:30, 4 and 5:30 p.m.
Another new addition this year will be the Classic Car Cruise-in, which will take place at the Killbuck Savings Bank parking lot on Main Street.
“Everyone loves a parade and looking at classic cars, and we feel like this is a wonderful addition to our weekend festivities,” Lint said. “If someone doesn’t want to drive their car in the parade, that’s fine. They can park and just show off their beauty.”
Prizes will be awarded for both the parade and classic car show. If anyone is interested in entering the parade or cruise-in, they may do so by emailing killbuckead@gmail and a form will be sent.
Another new activity will be a rib cook-off at 3 p.m. The prizes will be $100 for the Mayor’s Choice, $100 for the Fire Chief’s Choice and 75 percent of the People’s Choice money collected. Participants must have a temporary health permit, and anyone interested in joining the cook-off may do so by emailing killbuckead@gmail.
The always-popular West Holmes marching band, under the direction of Mr. Dodd and Mr. Pacula, will play in the main stage area beginning at 3:30 p.m. Visitors to the parade will want to hang around and watch this fantastic high school group strut its stuff after the parade.
Elvis himself, or at least popular impersonator Mark Lonsinger, will take the stage at 4:30 p.m. and will help present the award-winning classic cars
The band, Last Time Down, will take the stage at 6 p.m. This band based out of Mansfield, Ohio is a blend of many different music genres.
At 7 p.m. Killbuck will welcome a wild new show, “Midgets with Attitudes,” an action-packed wrestling show that will take place on Main Street unless the weather doesn’t cooperate, in which case it will be moved to Duncan Theater with music on the main stage.
Those wanting to be right on top of the action may pay $16 per seat for the first three rows near ringside, and that includes a meet and greet. There also is a $12 section in the fourth row as well as free seating beyond. Tickets are on sale at P&G IGA.
There will be several local favorite food stands returning and a few new ones. Kids’ games will operate from 1-6 p.m. both days. There will be a cost for kids’ games. There also will be vendors on hand.