Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - Etna Green's annual Fourth of July celebration promises new events and an enlarged parade route as the town celebrates its 150th anniversary July 4.
This year's festival, Etna Green Sesquicentennial Celebration, July 4 - 6, features a bachelor auction, queen contest, karaoke dance, outdoor movies and the Possum Clown Show.
The parade, which starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Pleasant Street and Ind. 19, will be led by Etna Green's oldest citizens, Russell and Dorothy Binkley. Russell Binkley, 96, was born just north of Etna Green and attended the Oakland School, which used to be at the corner of CR 300N and CR 800W. Dorothy Binkley, who declined to state her age, moved to Etna Green at age 3 and attended Etna Green High School.
The parade will commence at Heritage Park.
Three outdoor movies will be shown Saturday at dusk in Remembrance Park. Visitors can catch a classic western, musical or comedy shown in remembrance of "the old days" when free outdoor movies were a community tradition.
Those interested in the bachelor auction can bid on one of six beaus Friday at 6 p.m. The contest winners will receive both a date and a gift certificate for a free meal.
The crowning of Miss Etna Green will be Saturday at 6 p.m. The top three winners will receive savings bonds, with $250 going to the first-place winner, $150 for second and $50 for third. Seven contestants are enrolled so far.
Other weekend activities include a one-mile country walk/run, a four-mile country walk/run and a special postage stamp cancellation at the post office from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
More information, a complete schedule of events and enrollment forms are available at the Etna Green Sesquicentennial Web site, www.geocities.com/etnagreen
T-shirts and a book of Etna Green's history will be on sale downtown during the festival. Proceeds from all events will defray festival costs.
