Some Wayne Co summer events off, some still taking place
The Cowboy Mounted Shooting competition will be held July 4-5 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
It’s hard to keep up with which events are taking place this summer. That’s because it’s a moving target with new decisions being made every day.
Although things change almost daily, residents and visitors have the support of Marty Starkey, director of the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau, an organization that maintains the most thorough lists of the events that are happening or canceled.
“Ohio Light Opera — that's the biggest cancellation," Starkey said of the annual series held at The College of Wooster that attracts thousands to Wayne County each summer. "Even though that went virtual, it’s a huge blow to the community. All those people came from all over, even flying in internationally. They would stay in hotels, eat out, shop."
Starkey said another big loss was the cancellation of the Orrville Firefighters "Fire in the Sky" Fourth of July celebration. This was a big impact because it was paired with the cancellation of the National Qualifier Softball Tournament, which also is a big part in Orrville's week-long celebration.
“The tournament brings in girls from around the country. It's normally a fabulous piece of business over the holiday,” Starkey said.
Another big change was the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale, organized by the Mennonite Central Committee. In a typical year the organization would raise several hundred thousand dollars for people around the world. It was originally scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 1. Now it will be online Sept. 26 to Oct. 3.
One piece of good news comes from Main Street Wooster, which recently received news that it received a $10,000 pandemic-recovery grant from Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization through Heritage Ohio. Much of that funding will go toward planning events that follow social distancing protocols.
One event the group is planning is a “Cruise to the Drive-In” event series. In accordance with the grant proposal from March, Main Street Wooster plans to start with shopping and dining in Wooster’s downtown area, followed by a parade to a large open area such as the high school parking lot or the fairgrounds. Then folks can watch a drive-in movie from their vehicles. City and Health Department approval is needed for all the activities; that process will begin closer to the event.
If circumstances permit, the event will take place twice: on Friday, Aug. 21 and Friday, Sept. 25. John Benko-Scruggs, project coordinator with Main Street Wooster, explained they will share more details with the public in the upcoming weeks.
Main Street Wooster also will move forward on July 23 with a modified Taste of Downtown event, which is a favorite among many locals. “All restaurants will be invited to participate and see who wants to work together and then prepare a menu for the day. We are just in the starting phases, but the restaurant owners we have talked to so far are excited about it,” Benko-Scruggs said.
Kid’s Day in downtown Wooster was postponed from June 6 to Aug. 1 in hopes that a safe live event could be planned, although the All-American Kids received their awards via mail and were recognized in a virtual event on the originally scheduled date. Additionally, Main Street Wooster is adding a new event: a Christmas in July sidewalk sale on July 25.
Below is a list by category of events across Wayne County.
Community events
Fredericksburg’s Fourth of July event, “Wayne County's Biggest Small Town Parade,” is canceled.
Orrville’s Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display are canceled.
Wooster’s Fourth of July events and fireworks are canceled.
The Northeast Ohio Quilt Show, originally scheduled for July 23-24, is now postponed until Oct. 15-17.
Rittman’s Sleepwalker Festival, originally planned for July 23-25, is canceled.
Apple Creek’s Johnny Appleseed Festival, originally scheduled for July 24-25, is canceled.
Christmas in July sidewalk sale in downtown Wooster is a new event taking place Saturday, July 25.
The rescheduled Wooster’s Kid’s Day in the downtown area is planned for Aug. 1, though still tentative. Visit www.MainStreetWooster.org/upcoming-events as the date approaches.
Main Street Wooster’s Cruise to the Drive-In is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 21.
Arts, music and theater
In-person performances of the Ohio Light Opera on the campus of The College of Wooster are canceled, though OLO's Community Pops concert will take place virtually at 2 p.m. on July 4.
The Wayne County Historical Society summer community band concert on July 16 is canceled.
The Wayne Center for the Arts is hosting a virtual “The Art of Hope” event. That event and any cancellations are posted at www.wayneartscenter.org/visit.
The Orrville Performing Arts summer concerts are canceled
Agriculture and livestock
The Marshallville Tractor Pull is still on for June 27, though still tentative. Refer to www.wccvb.com/upcoming-events for the updated event status.
All of OSU Extension’s 4-H events through July 6 are being held virtually, postponed or canceled. They are awaiting a determination from OSU to confirm the status of 4-H events after July 6.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting July 4-5 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds is still taking place.
The annual Texas Longhorn Cattle Show is still on for July 16-18 at Wayne County Fairgrounds.
Buckin’ Ohio Pro Bull Riding & Western Experience is still on for July 25 at 8154 Garman Road, Burbank.
The Wayne County Fair is back on for a full fair Sept. 12-17; more details will come as the date gets closer.
Food
A modified version of Wooster’s Taste of Downtown is still planned for July 23. Tickets will be prepurchased through Main Street Wooster.
Orrville Lions Club Rib and Music Fest is canceled.
Sports
Wayne County Speedway in Orrville has started having races again. Refer to the website for more details at www.waynecountyspeedway.com/schedule.
National Qualifier Softball Tournament in Orrville, originally July 2-4, is canceled.
Fundraiser events
Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale, originally scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 1, will now be online Sept. 26 to Oct. 3.
The Orrville Community Day & Co-Ed Kickball Tournament Fundraiser will meet soon to make a decision on how to proceed with the event.
Continue to refer to the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau website for updated information at www.wccvb.com/upcoming-events.