Make tracks to Dennison June 14-19 for 32nd annual Railroad Festival
For the first time, the Dennison Railroad Festival has picked up tracks and moved from mid-May to mid-June, an action that enables the festival to grow and be more exciting than ever. It’s a family-friendly festival where visitors can enjoy free musical and dance performances, free kids day activities, car show, delicious foods and more. The 32nd annual festival kicks off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14 and continues until Sunday, June 19 at 5 p.m., with most activities taking place in and around the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum area at Center Street.Dave Bender, of Uhrichsville, festival chairman for more than 20 years, said the move to June will likely be permanent. “We moved the festival to June because May was always so rainy. Moving the date also allows Bates Amusement to bring in bigger thrill rides.”
“We’re expecting a big crowd, especially with Father’s Day on Sunday,” continued Bender. “We hope to see a lot of kids bringing their fathers out, and we might even have some nice surprises for them (the fathers).”
This year the midway will not only offer more amusement rides, it will also offer expanded hours, being open an additional day over previous years. For younger children, kiddie rides will also be available. The midway (which includes rides, food vendors, game vendors and more) will open at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and noon Friday through Sunday.
Music lovers can enjoy seven free musical performances throughout the festival. Headlining the performers is a concert by the United States Army Jazz Band at 6 p.m. at the gazebo stage on Friday evening. “It’s really an honor to have them perform at the festival, and we hope everyone will come out to hear them play,” shared Greg DiDonato of Dennison, president of the Dennison Railroad Festival board. Also included in the list of performers are Counterfeit, Mellow Mayhem, Hilljack Mafia, an Elvis impersonator, U2 celebration band One, and Rush tribute band New World Men. Performance times can be found at the festival website.
The 32nd annual Dennison Railroad Festival offers even more than rides and concerts. Many will enjoy the queen’s contest on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the gazebo stage, where teenage contestants will compete for the title and a $1,000 Kent State Tuscarawas scholarship. On Thursday, the talent show competition will take place at the railroad car stage at 7 p.m., and the winners of the Junior Parade Marshall Contest will be announced.
Beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, those who want to exercise, ages two and older, can register for the five-mile run, Bob Dyson 1.5 memorial walk/run, or the children’s mini jock around the block. Things are going to get messy when the popular Mud Run event begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Dennison Industrial Park. Competitors from all over Ohio and neighboring states will attempt to “run” 4x4 mud trucks through a pit in an effort to earn prize money, including the $500 grand prize.
Also on Saturday, children of all ages can enjoy free Kids Day activities from 2 to 4 p.m. at the gazebo area. Hosted by the Twin City YMCA, Kids Day will include several fun games, activities and chances to win prizes.
After the Kids Day activities, line up to see the festival’s Barb Maurer parade (named for one of the festival’s founders), which will begin on Saturday at 5 p.m. and make its way through downtown Dennison. Enjoy bands and rides on Saturday night and return on Sunday at noon for the start of the car show, which is one of the largest shows in the area. For more details and registration information for the Dennison Railroad Festival events, visit http://web.tusco.net/drrf.