TUSCARAWAS The Tusky Days Festival will be held Thursday through Saturday, and promises to provide a lot of food, fun and entertainment. This is the third year for the event, which began as a Bicentennial celebration of the billage a few years ago. Mayor Dana Moore will give a presentation to kick things off on Thursday, at 5:30 p.m. He will be followed by the New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band, from 6-7 and the Redneck Romeo’s, from 8 until midnight.
Registration for the Vision of Hope Walk/Run will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, at the Warwick Fire Station. A 1-mile walk/run will start at 6 and the 5k run will follow at 6:30. The auction is back this year with Auctioneer Rick Keffer taking bids at 7 p.m. This year, a wooden paddle depicting the Tusky School (1927-2007) will be featured. The paddle was created by students in the Indian Valley High School Woodshop Class. Art students were involved in the festival’s T-Shirt design contest. Winners in order of finish were: Vanessa Sanders, Kali Harrison, Cherish Rose and Jacey Dummermuth.
Several new events have been added to this year’s festivities including a Talent Show Saturday, on the midway stage. Sign-up for the show will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the program starting at 1. There will be cash prizes awarded of $75, $50 and $25, for the top three places. All contestants will be automatically entered to win one of three door prizes. “We’re looking for all kinds of family friendly talent,” said Marc Davis, of New Philadelphia, who is running the show. “Do you sing, dance, tell jokes or do magic tricks? If so, we are looking for you.” Davis added that Hitchcock Sound Co. will be providing the sound so contestants can bring a CD, iPod or phone with their backing music, if needed.
Also new this year is a magic show starring Ed Ellis on the Midway. The program is free to all from 6 to 9 p.m., on Friday and 5 to 8 p.m., on Saturday. Festival Chairman Tom Cole pointed out that getting a bite to eat will not be a problem as you take in the other events and shop the various craft booths. “There are too many booths to count right now, they are pouring in everyday,” said Cole. “We will have everyone’s favorite foods, including Ross Mountain BBQ, Deruso’s Sausage and more.” The Indian Valley Sports Boosters will be operating the beer garden.
A ride pass this year will cost $16, or $1 per ticket. “The rides will be provided by “Premiere Rides of America,”explained Cole. “There will be 14-16 rides for all age groups to enjoy. We should also have a great turnout for our car, truck and motorcycle show.” This is set for Saturday on the east end of School Street and will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by SPIKEMAN. Registration begins at 3 and there is a $10 fee. 50 dash plaques will be given and there is a 50/50 raffle. An awards presentation begins at 6:30 p.m., with top prize trophies sponsored by Warther Cutlery. For more information contact Todd or Brenda Pancher at 740-922-7517.
Entertainment will set the tone all three days with the “Kodachrome Babies” playing on Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. and the Tuscarawas River Band closing it out from 8 until midnight. On Saturday, Bob Airgood Acoustic will perform after the talent show concludes, followed by Mark Heddleston Acoustic, from 4 to 6 p.m. New Wave Nation closes down the festival from 8 until midnight.
For more information go to www.tuskydays.org.