Mendon Firecracker Festival dates set

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MENDON — The Mendon Lions Club has announced its upcoming Mendon Firecracker Festival, to be held Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, at the former school in Mendon.

There will be the usual fare, to include concessions, carnival games, ball games, Aunt Linda’s barnyard animals, plus MICHINDOH truck and tractor pulls (paid event). Taylor Gruss, an 8-year-old midget race driver who won a Mac-O-Chee Quarter Midget Racing Association event the rookie division two years ago, will display her midget racecar. On Saturday, Center Stage from Celina, which has won state and national championships, will perform, while Friday night will feature two hours of pony rides sponsored by Cal Fox Foundation, starting at 6 p.m.

There will also be mechanical rides provided by Gromer United of Eaton. Tickets will be $1 apiece, and there will be wristbands available at the festival.

The weekend events will also include the Little Miss Firecracker Pageant, garden tractor pulls by the Western Ohio Garden Tractor Pulling Association, a cornhole tournament, and a Texas hold ‘em poker tournament.

Featured entertainment for the festival is the Erastus Band, which will appear Saturday night in the main entertainment tent. With a huge playlist of rock and country music, the local group has established quite a following, appearing regularly at venues such as C&C Loft and Lounge in St. Marys and Bayview in Montezuma. They’re also scheduled for local events, such as Ribfest, Freedom Days and Rockford Community Days.

This year, the fireworks show will be at 10 p.m. Friday, with a rain date for the same time Saturday. Fireworks are provided by Peel’s.

Proceeds from the event will help finance the charitable activities of the Mendon Lions Club. For more information, visit the festival website at www.mendonfestival.com.