Benton Days helps bring back the good old days
While it isn’t exactly Mayberry RFD, where Floyd the Barber idly chats with Sheriff Andy Taylor and deputy Barney Fife and friends on a sunny Thursday afternoon, the Benton Block Party sure does have the down-home flavor of small-town America of days gone by.
Filled with plenty of frolicking fun, great food, live music and loads of relaxing conversation and laughter, this is one block party that is designed to bring old friends and family back together from the Benton area, but just like Mayberry, everyone is invited to stop in and enjoy the festivities on Friday, June 9.
“Just because you aren’t from Benton doesn't mean you can’t come and participate in the fun,” committee member Naomi Troyer said. “Everyone is invited to stop in. This isn't just for Bentonites.”
However, with the focus on all things Benton, this does have the feel of a gigantic reunion where family gets together to enjoy one another’s company. Along the way there are plenty of activities to keep everyone in a good mood.
While open to the public, the event has been utilized over the years as a way for longtime Benton residents and those who once called Benton their home to get together to celebrate. It is as close to a throwback to the good old days as you'll find.
“It’s about friends and neighbors today and friends and neighbors from the past coming together to have a fun evening of fellowshipping together,” committee member John Schmid said.
From its humble beginnings six years ago to today, the festival has grown and blossomed, and Schmid said many people look forward to the event because it allows them to reconnect with so many people. Chances are good that more than one copy of Clayton Miller’s book featuring Benton will be circulating. It all adds to the aura of the down-home event.
The festivities will take place at Gospel Haven Church on the south edge of town. The food will kick things off, beginning a 4 p.m., where patrons may purchase both dinners and carryout, courtesy of a handful of food trucks that will offer plenty of variety.
Live entertainment will kick off at 5 p.m. with a trio of groups. Included in the lineup will be the local group Soaring Eagles, the Brandenberger Family from Indiana, and Schmid, who always brings in a large crowd wherever he sings.
“Soaring Eagles are a local group of young Amish men who are really talented,” Troyer said.
For those who would rather be active than sit and chat, there will be a volleyball and a cornhole tournament taking place in the field abutting Gospel Haven Church, within easy walking distance of the main area.
These always fun and competitive events are open to any teams, and while the only awards are bragging rights, some of the proceeds will go into a fund that will help a pair of local Benton families who are going through difficult times with medical issues and expenses.
Anyone wishing to sign up a team for volleyball may do so by calling David Miller at 330-763-0447, and sign-up for the cornhole tournament may be made through David Kline at 330-674-3250. Teams may sign up for cornhole the day of the event, but teams wishing to get into the volleyball tournament are asked to preregister.
Troyer said in past years they have had people just passing through stop in and decide to participate in the cornhole tournament.
There also will be a silent auction with more than 70 items on which to bid, plus there will be a drawing for a large Yeti cooler filled with meat, and tickets for the drawing may be purchased the night of the event. All of the proceeds will go toward the two area families.
A new addition to this year’s event will be a scavenger hunt that will send children of all ages around the Gospel Haven Church grounds to wrangle up items.
Don't miss this throwback to yesteryear where sitting around gabbing and eating is as much of the fun as is all of the activity going on. Rain or shine, bring your chairs and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
"It's like one big reunion," Schmid said of Benton Days. "It's been a lot of fun over the past several years because just about everyone knows everyone."
You can see more of Benton Days by joining them on Facebook.