A bigger and better Tusky Days
The 2018 Festival T-shirt design featuring Lock 15 at Tuscarawas was won by Vanessa Sanders. Rounding out the competition were Kali Harrison, second place; Cherish Rose, third place; and Jacey Dummermuth, fourth place.
A one-time event to celebrate the 200th birthday of the village of Tuscarawas in 2016 is now in its third year, thanks to good old-fashioned community pride. The Tusky Days Festival will be held on School Street from June 14-16.
The celebration is more than just an opportunity to have fun.
“The community comes together. It brings back community camaraderie. Neighbors get to know neighbors. Everyone helps everybody,” said Tom Cole, Tusky Days Festival Committee president. Committee members are Matt Ritenour, Matt Hunter, Jennifer Mann, Wanda Krocker, Joe Krocker and Dorsey Davisson.
A new ride company, Premier Shows of America, has been secured to meet the needs of the growing festival.
“The festival is getting bigger and bigger every year,” Cole said. “We’ll have 14-16 rides this year. We’re excited. There will also be some new food vendors in addition to old favorites.”
Festivalgoers should take note that Sunday was dropped from the schedule this year with Thursday evening activities added. The car show will be held on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. Spikeman will provide the entertainment. Cole said all proceeds from the show will be donated back to the festival and the scholarship fund, thanks to new organizers Todd and Brenda Pancher.
“The Indian Valley High School shop is making a smaller wooden oar with laser etching on it. They will be numbered one through 20 and auctioned off. It’s something we do every year,” Cole said of the 2018 festival commemorative item. Auctioneer Rick Keffer will begin the bidding at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Cole said he is looking forward to a new event on Saturday — the Tusky Days Talent Showcase — on the main stage and organized by Marc Davis. The show is looking for family-friendly talent of all kinds. The top prize is $75. Second place will receive $50, and third place will earn $25.
All participants will be entered to win door prizes. Sign-up will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the show from 1-2 p.m.
This year proceeds from the festival funded a $500 scholarship won by Mackenzie Sentz of Tuscarawas. “We hope to raise enough money to do two scholarships next year,” Cole said. Scholarship applicants must reside in Warwick Township.
Another highlight will be the entertainment. A magician, Ed Ellis, will stroll the midway on Friday and Saturday in the early evening hours to entertain the crowd.
On Thursday the New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band and the Redneck Romeos will perform. “The Redneck Romeos are one of the top local bands, and they have a great following,” Cole said. Scheduled on Friday are the Kodachrome Babies and the Tuscarawas River Band.
New Wave Nation, the number-one local band, will be there on Saturday night, and Cole said they’ll bring their laser light show.
Midway hours are 4 p.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday.
Activities on Thursday are the Mayor’s Presentation at 5:30 p.m., New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band from 6-7 p.m. and the Redneck Romeos from 8 p.m. to midnight
On Friday registration will begin at 5 p.m. for the 1-mile walk/run and 5k run at the Warwick Fire Station. The 1-mile walk/run will kick off at 6 p.m. with the 5k beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Kodachrome Babies will take the stage from 6-7 p.m., the commemorative paddles will be auctioned off at 7 p.m. and the Tuscarawas River Band will entertain festivalgoers from 8 p.m. until midnight.
On tap on Saturday is the talent show at 1 p.m., Bob Airgood Acoustic from 2-4 p.m., car/bike/truck show on the east end of School Street from 3-7 p.m., Mark Heddleson Acoustic from 4-6 p.m. and New Wave Nation from 8-11:30 p.m.
Sponsors of this year’s festival include the John Hursey Memorial Fund, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union Kids Club, McInturf Realty, Tusky VFW, Kimble Companies, Durbin Farms, Brown’s Heating and Cooling, Dover Brake, Warwick Lions Club, Krocker’s Computer Services, Chuck Nicholson GMC, The Corner Tavern, Moore’s Home Exteriors, WTUZ, Park Marathon, Willandale Golf Cart Sales, AES – Action Extreme Sports, Bomb’s Away Bar and Drive Thru, Village of Gnadenhutten, Village of Tuscarawas and employees, Great Plains Oilfield Rental, Uhrichsville Carbide, Pasquinelli Tax Service, Trinity Hospital Twin City, Tuscora Electric, Triple R Trailer, Romig Insurance Agency, Smith Ambulance, and Schilling Electric.
Cole said more than 20,000 people attended the festival over its three-day run in last year’s count by the ride company including many visitors from outside of Tuscarawas County. Everyone is invited to attend this year’s event.
“They’ll be big signs out at each end of the village. Just follow the signs and look for the excitement,” Cole said.