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Friday, 08 August 2008 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Passersby could see the beginnings of rides and concessions starting Monday morning in Memorial Park, marking the imminence of the 2008 SummerFest, and workers said they would be setting up right up until Supper and Sounds started.
Sunday marked the first event in this year’s schedule with the opening of the 19th annual Summer Artfest. The next night Abbie Spencer competed against seven other girls and was crowned Miss SummerFest. Wednesday night, Zoe-e Joseph was crowned Little Miss SummerFest after competing against 14 other girls, and the festival officially opened Thursday night.
Jeff Squire, the 2008 SummerFest chairman, who was at the Little Miss pageant, said SummerFest takes a year of preparation.
“I hope you all come out and enjoy the festival,” Squire told the crowd, adding that he hoped to see everyone there this weekend.
Jacob Huber, 10, was helping set up the gazebo in Memorial Park with his father and siblings, Sam, 5, and Alexis, 8, on Thursday. He said it’s fun to set up because he gets to help the community and “make it more fun for them,” and his favorite part of SummerFest is the rides.
Jacob’s brother and sister agreed, adding that both of them like the pony rides the best.
“I like the horses,” Alexis Huber said. “They’re pretty.”
Both Dustin Liming, 13, and Jacob Mabry, 10, said they’re favorite ride is the Rock-O-Planes. Jacob said he also likes the games.
“I like the fun slide,” Carson Liming, 7, said. “Because there’s bumps in it.”
Besides the rides, SummerFest will include a duck race, a diaper derby, a 5K run, various musical acts and volleyball and softball tournaments and more.
Around 20,000 people attend SummerFest each year, and this year there are 28 vendors from Lima, Cincinnati and out of state.
SummerFest will conclude at 10 p.m. Sunday with a fireworks display. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 August 2008 )
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