Shreve to host 3-day Swampfest
Xcaliber Pit Training School will present a NASCAR Monster Energy fan experience that will take fans right into the pits. The event will be highlighted by a two-person tire-changing competition on an official NASCAR machine.
Swampfest is coming July 11-13, and while it won’t feature Swamp Thing or even take place in a swamp, it will have a swamp theme and a variety of family activities in downtown Shreve.
Swampfest wasn’t always known by that moniker. An ongoing festival since the 1930s, it was formerly known as the Shreve Homecoming, but the committee wanted to take on a name that was catchier and last year changed it to Shreve Swampfest.
“We are actually a recognized festival in the state of Ohio now, and that was a big part of the reason we wanted to change and make it something a little catchier for people to remember,” committee co-chair Joe Wachtel said.
Wachtel said when it came time to plan last year’s event, the committee talked about the idea of being recognized by the Ohio Festival and Events Association, an organization that promotes tourism through the state’s festivals.
The benefits of joining the association include increased exposure and publication of the Shreve events (plus hundreds of other local festivals in Ohio), having homecoming kings and queens visit other communities on the circuit, and a chance to rebrand the event.
Last year Swamp Fest was very well received, and this year figures to be more of the same.
Over the three days beginning July 11, there will be plenty of activities to keep families interested.
On Thursday, July 11 there will be a gator parade at 5:30 p.m. that is open to anyone with an ATV, golf cart, lawn tractors and anything small that rolls on wheels. Patrons are invited to decorate their small vehicles in a swamp theme and can even attach a small trailer.
“Our streets are kind of narrow, so this parade seems to fit our style very well,” Wachtel said. “We will have prizes for the best decorated, and this is always fun.”
Immediately following there will be a frog-jumping contest for the kids, who can bring their own frog or borrow one from the Swampfest pool. The band, Memphis Cradle, will take the main stage that night to share its blues music. The raffle for Thursday evening will be for a crossbow.
On Friday, July 12 at 4 p.m., kick-off time will begin with Xcaliber Pit Training School presenting a NASCAR Monster Energy fan experience that will take fans right into the pits. The event will be highlighted by a two-person tire-changing competition on an official NASCAR machine.
Even if the fast-paced world of NASCAR isn’t your thing, there will be plenty of other activities. The Shreve Supports Our Troops Rally will take place immediately following the Xcaliber event at 5:30 p.m.
“It’s really action-packed, and it is open to any two-member team who wants to try to take on the challenge,” Wachtel said. “The winner will actually get two pit passes to Mid-Ohio, and we even had some younger kids trying their hand last year.”
There also will be a limited number of commemorative T-shirts for sale, a cash raffle drawing will take place all three days and the County Line Historical Society will be there. The raffle on Friday night will be for a shotgun.
On Saturday, July 13 at 4:30 p.m., visitors will hear a speaker bring the story of Bigfoot to life. The expert speaker will be on the main stage and will talk about the history and lore of Bigfoot.
The raffle on Saturday will be for a rifle.
Xcaliber will return for another showcase at noon, and the CLHS will be on hand again.
There will be a Buckeye Peddle Pullers event at 5 p.m. with kids able to sign up for the peddle tractor pull event starting one hour earlier. Also at 5 p.m., Balloons Unlimited will present balloon creations for the kids while the Titan Twirlers will give a performance at 6 p.m. on the main stage.
There will be another Buckeye Pedal Pullers event taking place at 7 p.m. with sign-ups beginning one hour prior while local talent Josh Kracjik will take over the main stage to provide live entertainment at 8:30 p.m.
The grand finale will be a fireworks show that will light up the night sky at approximately 10:30 p.m.
There will be a fireman’s chicken barbecue on both Friday and Saturday. Each day also will feature a variety of rides and inflatables for the kids, games, activities for all and food vendors.
These events denote just a portion of the family fun that will take place throughout the three days.
Wachtel said it is a relaxing weekend designed to bring people together.
“Small-town festivals like this are designed to have a real social flavor to them that is kind of like a big reunion,” Wachtel said. “A lot of people come back to town who only get back to town once a year, so it is a great chance for people to come back to Shreve and reconnect with their lives.”
Whether you come decked out and ready to celebrate the swamp theme or simply want to roll into Shreve and connect with family and friends, Swampfest is certain to have a little something for everyone.