Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY - Every year, the town of South Whitley unites in celebration.
The focus of Celebration '96 is on family events, with children's activities a major portion of the two-day festival set for Saturday and Sunday.
"I felt the festival was losing the community's interest, so I wanted to do something before the festival dwindled away," said Jennifer Gable, festival chairwoman. "I feel focusing on the family is the way to keep it alive."
A mother of two, Gable said she was concerned for some time about the focus of the festival and hopes to rejuvenate interest by encouraging families to attend together.
"I want my children to have happy memories of the local festival like I have from my childhood," she said.
Children of all ages can participate in games from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on Front Street. Hosted by the South Whitley Parent-Teacher Association, children can do a pop toss, Hula Hoop toss, football throw, duck pond or bean bag throw. There is a small fee for the games.
Other family-oriented activities include a living history lesson by local residents Bob Cassel (a fur trader) and Walking Cloud (a Miami Indian). Also, "Sunbeam" and "Tiny," members of the Whitley County Clowns, will tour the park area entertaining festival-goers.
A new feature this year is "Storytime in the Park," which spotlights storytellers every half hour at the park gazebo. Children also can create chalk drawings on the park sidewalk, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, and stop at a picture-coloring station sponsored by Whitley County Memorial Hospital from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the town hall.
The highlight of Saturday's children's events will be the annual kiddie parade and king and queen contest, beginning at 4:30 p.m. (lineup at 3:15 p.m.). Participants must be age 6 or younger. There is no entry fee for either event.
A kiddie tractor pull at 2 p.m. Sunday on State Street concludes the children's events for Celebration '96. Registration is at 1:30 p.m., with tractors provided. Sponsored by the South Whitley Lions Club, there is no entry fee.
Other events include the annual parade, with lineup at 4 p.m. Saturday at Whitko High School, and the procession beginning at 5 p.m. This year's theme is "The Olympics," and Bill Harter, a town employee, will serve as grand marshal.
Prizes will be awarded in various categories. There is no entry fee.
There will also be pony rides, sporting competitions, a garden tractor pull, a car show and a 5K road race.
A pre-festival teen dance with DJ Andy Bowers is set for 7 to 11 p.m. Friday at Carol's Corner on State Street; "Silverado Top 40 Country Band" will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the town park gazebo; and a dance featuring "Dueling Elvis" will take place from 8 p.m. until midnight Saturday at the VFW.
The final event of the festival is the annual variety show at 6 p.m. Sunday at the park gazebo. A banana-eating contest will be staged during the intermission, and lawn seating is available for spectators.
Ongoing events include a village market along Front Street and at the park, the VFW food tent in the organization's parking lot, and the South Whitley Emergency Medical Service "Jail-A-Thon."
