Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - The 28th Annual Silver Lake Days kicks off June 18, and this year, clowns, jugglers and other circus performers will take over the town.
"It's Circus Time" is this year's theme, and performers from the world-famous "Peru Circus" will perform during the June 19 parade at 11 a.m.
A friendly camel also will appear, though no elephants or giraffes will be able to make the date, festival planner Marlin Carr said.
Hot air balloon rides will be available in the RE/MAX Rainbow tethered hot air balloon on the school grounds June 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. The rides are available to all for a donation, and 100 percent of money raised will go to Riley Children's Hospital.
Throughout the weekend "William's Kiddie Lane" festival rides and concessions will be downtown. Entertainment for adults also will be available, with a live performance by Stark Raven the evening of June 18 and a street dance at 8 p.m. June 19 with music by Tim May.
The traditional car show starts at 3 p.m. June 18 and will be held on Ind. 14, in the downtown area.
Carr is a founding member of the Silver Lake Days committee and said they started the annual festival to raise money to get an ambulance service in town. Those early festivals were a success and, in keeping with tradition, most proceeds, usually a minimum of $1,500 to $2,000 for each department, are donated back to the local EMS service and fire department.
The nomination for parade marshal is being kept top secret and will not be announced until "about 10 minutes before it starts," Carr said. Carr did say the person is "a good doer" and "active in the community."
Parade registration is open until the day of the parade, though Carr urges those interested to pre-register to help eliminate parade-day confusion.
For more information about Silver Lake Days, contact Lake City Bank at 260-352-2124 during business hours, or call 260-352-2717 or 574-267-5858.
