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| Small Town America Festival this weekend |
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8/17/2018
By Brianna Stephens
Advocate Staff writer
Featured events during this year’s Small Town America Festival, presented by Community Trust Bank, will help raise funds for and bring awareness to local organizations and non-profits Saturday, Aug. 18.
The festival got its start with a song written by Mt. Sterling native Jeff Vice called “Small Town America” in 2007.
The song described what it’s like growing up in a small town and a portion of it and the music video focuses on the last local football program at the City High School in 1976, a release for the event said.
The video shows scenes of the old Trojan High School in downtown Mt. Sterling, which has since been restored as Sterling Meadows, an assisted living facility.
“It’s a touching tribute to Mt. Sterling from a talented songwriter about his hometown,” the release said.
The festival will start at 8 a.m. with a 5K run/walk beginning at Silver Creek Estates. It is sponsored by Mt. Sterling Parks and Recreation.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. and cash prizes will be given to the top three finishers in each age group.
Paint the Small Town 3 will also kick off the festival with en plein aire artists creating art around the city until 2 p.m.
Cincinnati plein aire artist Ray Hassard will judge the submitted pieces between 4 and 5 p.m.
An artists’ reception will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. with hors d’ouevres, beverages and live music.
Awards will be given to the “Best in Show,” second and third place and “People’s Choice.”
All pieces will be for sale and will remain on display at the arts center until the end of August.
The Pop Up Community Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. has been a new event for Mt. Sterling this summer in the city lots behind Downtown Athletic Club.
Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Tourism Director Tracy Pearce said the large area will provide more room for vendors that want to set up during the festival. The event also serves as a fundraising tool for local causes by renting parking spaces to vendors for their setup.
“The $20 fee is a fundraiser for the downtown revitalization efforts and also for the Veterans at Botts Park fundraising group,” Pearce said. “All types of vendors are encouraged to participate by arriving at 7 a.m. that morning to set up.”
For more information about the event, visit the Pop Up Community Yard Sale Mt. Sterling Facebook page.
Arts and crafts vendors will also be on hand during the day.
The Small Town America Cruisin Car Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Adena Trail. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.
The show is free and open to the public.
DJ Wes Thomas will be in attendance and door prizes will be offered.
Proceeds from the show will benefit the Sterling Community Food Coalition.
Sterling Health Solutions will sponsor a Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in a parking lot on Locust Street.
Free general health and dental screenings, a bouncy house, games for kids and giveaways will be offered.
Non-profit vendors will be set up at Courthouse Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Small Town Cares, another new feature for the festival, Pearce said.
“I’m excited this year to have the courthouse area for nonprofit organizations that do so much for the people in the community,” Pearce said. “This is new for the festival and it’s an opportunity for these important organizations to raise money and awareness. That will be a neat area to stop by and learn more about various organizations and also enjoy some great food and entertainment in the idyllic setting of the Courthouse Square.”
Pearce also encourages festival goers to visit the Montgomery County History Museum beside the courthouse and the August photography exhibit at the arts center on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for both locations.
At 11 a.m., Gateway Children’s Services will host its 11th annual cornhole tournament behind Whitaker Bank.
The Ale-8-One Small Town America Talent Showcase will begin at 1 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
Live entertainment will be provided by the contestants and cash prizes will be given to the first, second and third place winners.
The showcase will kickoff with a performance by the 2017 winner Megan Lawson. Decades of Music will also provide music for the event.
Livia Faith, a former contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” will host the showcase.
Faith and Austin and the Current will also provide live entertainment on Main Street Park Stage from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pearce added the park is newly renovated and is a great place to sit, eat and relax.
To end the day, Pearce said, the 71st annual Recreation Bowl, the oldest high school football bowl in the state, will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Cunningham Field.
More information about the festival’s events and event registrations can be found on the Small Town America Festival in Mt. Sterling, KY Facebook page.
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