Fall Fest forecast: no rain, plenty of contests and fun
By Bruce Wallace
After years of evolution, this year's edition of the Ashland Fall Fest may have just hit on the right combination.
The Fall Fest kicks off this Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Ashland City Park.
See if your checklist of a good community festival matches the Fall Fest lineup:
* Vendors? Sure, everything from crafts to jewelry and plenty of varieties of food.
"We think that we have something for everyone this year," said Fall Fest coordinator Wade Middaugh. "I think we have an entertainment lineup which suits a variety of tastes and something for every family."
The Fall Fest Parade kicks off activities at 9 a.m. with the new parade route (beginning at the Elementary School, see map, page 12) and including the SoBoCo Eagles marching band, floats and likely a few politicians.
Morning activities include the Show-Me Showboaters barbershop quartet and the Elvendrums. Mario Manzini's Tribute to Houdini is at 10:30 a.m. and the pie contest is at 11 a.m.
"We will accept entries to all of the contests on the day of the Fall Fest," Middaugh said, but we hope we can get most of the entries early so we can be prepared."
Children's activities will take place in the north end of the park, sponsored by the Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce.
Circus clown Joey Kelly will take the stage at the center of the park at 11:30. His performance will last an hour, to be followed by a clown college for kids.
"I think kids of all ages will enjoy the Joey Kelly circus again this year," Middaugh said. "Then the kids will get to take part, and will probably learn a trick or two to take home with them."
More entertainment and contests will take place in the afternoon, including Victoria Halterman, the Best Dressed Dog Contest and Medieval Village Combat Fighting.
Mario Manzini takes the stage for his magic show at 1:30 and the Mud Volleyball contest is at 2 p.m.
"We wanted some activities for teens and thought they would have fun with mud volleyball and the Ashland Idol contest," Middaugh said. The Ashland Idol contest is open to any age group, and the mud volleyball is for teens.
The city will present a number of annual awards at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Longshot Band and Manzini's Tribute to Elvis. The Ashland Idol contest, and its $300 grand prize, will close the day's activities.
"We think we a great day of activities, Middaugh said. "We will have a circus tent set up in the park for shade from either the sun or the rain, but we are hoping for perfect weather. If folks from around southern Boone can't stay for the entire day, we are hoping they will target some of the activities and drop in during the day. This is a day for families to get together, or meet new friends, and enjoy their city park."