By Martha B. Jacob –
The Ohio Rural Heritage Festival will be one of the biggest events to take place in the Village of Ripley this year.
Members of the festival committee have been very busy the past few months getting organized for the big event scheduled for Sept. 1-3.
The event will kick-off on Thursday, Sept 1 at 9 a.m. until noon when all vendor’s will check-in and set up their booths.
Then from 6 to 10 p.m. the Queen Pageant will be held on the main stage at the park. Live entertainment will take place on the same stage following the pageant. Performing will be ‘Spearpoint Band’.
According to Howard McClain, one of the organizers of the festival, the committee is continuing to accept new vendors.
“We are still looking for more vendors to participate,” McClain said, “We are especially interested in participants who do demonstrations and have handmade items for sale. We could also use a few more volunteers to help coordinate events and activities.”
Friday will include some big events like a performance by ‘Big Easy and the Gators’. Opening acts for the two nights will include ‘38-20 Music With a Message’, ‘Black Mountain’ and ‘Throw Down’.
Also on Friday parade lineup and registration will take place between 4 and 5 p.m. at the RULH Elementary School The parade will begin at 6 p.m.
An Emergency Services Display will take place immediately after the parade on Main Street.
On Saturday, between 7 and 8 a.m. registration for the 5K Run/Walk will take place and between 8 and 9 a.m. check in for the big Car Show will take place on Main Street.
Cow Pie Bingo will also be held on Cherry Street at the park, as well as the 5K run.
Also on Saturday evening ‘Kenny Welch’ will take the stage.
Baby Show registration on the Main Stage will take place between 9 and 10 a.m. and the actual Baby Show will begin at 10 a.m.
Other events planned for the festival include:
• the Bob Groh Memorial Car and Truck Show;
• the duck race at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Ripley Boat Club;
• a taco eating contest;
•  a kids talent show
• photo contest
• a quilt show on Main Street;
• a pedal tractor pull;
• a corn hole competition;
• a baking contest;
• horseshoe tournament;
• Queen City Cloggers;
• Good Times Cloggers performance.