Winchester patriotic festival to provide a bigger bang
By BILL RICHMOND
City editor
Winchester's fifth annual Off With a Bang festival hopes to usher in the Independence Day Holiday with a bigger and better bang than ever before. The free community festival is Friday through Sunday, July 4-6 at Goodrich Park.
Off With a Bang each year includes a variety of activities including musical entertainment, a pet parade, sack races, a watermelon eating contest, a craft and flea market, senior bingo and a "Mom Holler" contest. The first day of activities will conclude with the Winchester Community Cultural Preservation Committee (WCCPC) fireworks display at dusk Friday, July 4.
This year's fireworks demonstration will be coordinated by Brazil, Ind.- based Sky Magic Pyrotechnics, Inc., in association with the WCCPC which will pay for the display through its ongoing fundraising efforts.
"The festival is really growing, in both its attendance and the cooperation by area business," said Off With a Bang coordinator Kathy Bond. "There are so many local merchants who helped whenever we asked it would be hard to list them all.
"The money we raise through the festival will be used to purchase training equipment for the Winchester Police Dog Auk. It will go to make up for budget cuts handed down from the state. We're trying to help wherever we can. Whatever cause we decide to help out each year, it's always something that involves the community."
She said the festival is a free event comprised of family activities for every age from two up.
"A very popular event that was new to last year's festival is the Little Pirates' Treasure Hunt for 2-3 year olds," Bond said. "We gave them each a pirate hat, a bucket and a shovel and took them to dig for gold coins in the sand pile. The ones who had the most coins won a prize."
Another second year event is the "Mom Holler" contest. Participating children put on blindfolds and each has to find his or her mom by the sound of her holler.
"It's a blast," Bond said.
She said an event that has grown over the years is the Pet Parade. This year's parade is Sunday, July 6 at 2:30 p.m. Participants who place first, second or third in any of five categories will receive prizes. The categories are: best pet float, best costume, most unusual pet, pet that looks most like its owner and best trained pet. Entry forms can be picked up at Orscheln Farm and Home or the mayor's office at Winchester City Hall.
There will also be pumpkin vine train rides for kids, Saturday, July 5. Kids can ride a model train created from a lawn tractor and trailers for a penny free-will donation.
Musical performances include by Backlash July 5 from 5-9 p.m. at the Goodrich Park Amphitheater, Trinity starting at 9:30 p.m. at the park and country/gospel music by Dan and Me, July 6 at noon at the amphitheater.
She said they hope to double the number of vendors this year at the craft and flea market.
"There is something for everyone, it is a wonderful event," Bond said. "We invite everyone to bring a picnic lunch and just enjoy the activities. It's a good opportunity to save on the cost of gas and just have a real good time with fun activities and musical entertainment right here in town."
For more information about the Off With a Bang festival (including craft and flea market booth rental), call (765) 584-6845 or (765) 914-3517.
