Labor Day weekend traditionally signals the end of summer. Killbuck celebrates the weekend every year with the Killbuck Early American Days festival. Rich in tradition, the festival includes two days, Saturday and Sunday, packed full of activities including music, food, the queens contest, and a grand parade.
Several changes and a few new additions have been made to the festival this year. In past years the festival was held over three days. Due to reduced grant funding and better scheduling of events, this year the festival will be held just two days. There is a new Cutest Baby contest for babies from newborn to 12 months. A childrens train ride has been added, and a new cake contest is now part of the cake walk, awarding a prize to the best donated cake.
The talent show is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Contestants will need to bring their own music and an accompanying instrument. In past years there was a karaoke machine but that has changed for this year. The parades have been combined into one Grand Parade that will include antique cars and the Firemans Parade. The chicken barbecue fundraiser for the Bobcat and Cobra football teams held in past years on Monday is scheduled for Sunday afternoon this year. The Killbuck School reunion continues to be offered on Saturday.
Competing in this years Queen contest is Alexis Rolince and Jillian Gurley. Competitors for the Jr. Queen contest are Jessica Gurley and Emilie Rolince. And competing for the Princess contest are Kallie Frazier, Katrina Rolince, and Callie Proper. Contestants wear early American dresses, give a speech on the history of Killbuck, and perform a talent section during the competition.
For those wishing to compete in the Cutest Baby contest, a 5-by-7 or 8-by-10 picture is required and must be dropped off at the Killbuck Pizza Parlor or the Killbuck Savings Bank by Friday, Sept. 3. There is a 25 cent entry fee for the contest.
Killbuck is a small community and the festival is a way to get everyone together for a few days of fun and activities, said Rebbie Baker-Cheney, event coordinator.
A festival of this size and with this many activities requires months of planning by a dedicated and hardworking committee. This years committee members included Linda Wilcox, Michele Snow, Lisa Kaufman, Steve and Nora Armbrust, Terry and Betty Logsdon, Deb Stadler, and Jane Voltz. The committee meets every second Thursday evening of the month, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at the Pizza Parlor in Killbuck.
Everyone is welcome to join the committee and attend the meetings. We always need people to help out and get involved. We meet with the Killbuck Community Improvement Corporation and we start planning the Early American Days in May, said Baker-Cheney.
Most of the activities are free, with a small fee for the Cutest Baby contest, the cornhole tournament, and the inflatable jump. All activities will be held on the square in downtown Killbuck on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4 and 5, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 or 11 p.m.
All proceeds from the ticket raffle and other fees benefit the Killbuck Library, Killbuck Fire Department, Killbuck Museum, and the Killbuck Park. Sponsors for this years events include: P&G IGA, Big Wood Logging, Snow Bros. Logging, Rick Hawkins Lumber Co., Garvers Marathon, New Image Consignment, Pizza Parlor of Killbuck, Cline Bros., Wines at the Arbor, and The Vinery.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, Sept. 4
Softball tournament at the park 9 a.m.
Killbuck School reunion at the school 10 a.m.
Kiddie tractor pull 10 a.m.
Pooch Parade 11:30 a.m.
Chicken barbecue at VFW Noon to 6 p.m.
Hot dog eating contest sponsored by Paris Concessions 1 p.m.
Kids games 2-3 p.m.
Local talent show (bring your own music and instrument) 3-5 p.m.
Queens contest 6 p.m.
Cutest Baby contest 7:15 p.m.
Cake contest/Cake walk 7:30 p.m.
Elvis and band 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 5
Softball tournament at the park 9 a.m.
Queens luncheon at the school 11 a.m.
Contemporary Christian music by High Waters Noon to 1 p.m.
Cobra and Bobcat chicken barbecue fundraiser at VFW Noon to 7 p.m.
Terry Logsdon, DJ 1-2 p.m.
Antique, Grand and Firemans Parade 2 p.m.
West Holmes Marching Band 3 p.m.
Grand Marshall recognition - Freda Robison 3:30 p.m.
Visiting royalty 4 p.m.
Valley Voices Quartet 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Hawkins Lumberjack Show 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Music by St. Jimmies 8-11 p.m.
