Peony Festival/ArtRageous begin today

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

It’s that weekend again. You know, that One Wonderful Weekend that includes the annual Peony Festival and ArtRageous on Main events (click here for a schedule of events).

This year’s event is just a chock-full of events as it has been in the past, with entertainment, food, car, craft, quilt and flower shows, the annual Grand Parade and many other activities and events.

The festival begins today with a garage sale/craft show being held at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Also on today’s agenda is lunch with Queen Jubilee XXXVII Alex Burchfield at DeShia on U.S. 127 south of Van Wert, while food vendors and amusement rides open at noon in the Fountain Park area. The Prince and Princess Pageant will also be held in the gazebo in Fountain Park at 5 p.m., while the Car Cruise-In will run from 6-9 p.m. today.

Friday’s events will be capped off by the first concert of the 2012 Fountain Park Summer Music Series, as the Bronx Wanderers bring their Fifties Doo-Wop music to the bandshell in Fountain Park, starting at 7 p.m.

Then things really get moving, as Saturday’s schedule is full of events and activities, starting with the annual Fishing Derby at YMCA Camp Clay, from 9-11 Saturday morning. Also beginning at 9 are the Flower Show, Quilt Show and Garage Sale/Craft Show, all being held at the fairgrounds.

At 10 a.m., the Peony Festival information booth opens in Fountain Park and the 2012 Peony Garden Tour will also start then and run through 3 p.m. (see story below for more details).

Children will have lots of activities in Fountain Park, including a number of inflatables placed in Fountain Park. A number of crafters and artists will also have displays in Fountain Park as part of the ArtRageous on Main activities, with a Chalk the Walk Contest and Architectural Contest being held on Main Street as part of ArtRageous on Main.

A Pet Show will be held at 11 a.m. in Fountain Park, while the Queen’s Tea will start at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Willow Bend Country Club.

PSD Stars by Erin will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Fountain Park bandshell, with dancers from Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks taking the bandshell stage from 3-4 Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s events will culminate in the annual Peony Festival Grand Parade, featuring more than 100 units, that will begin at 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds and travel up Washington Street to Jubilee Park.

On Saturday evening, 2 Sticks and a Chick will entertain in the Fountain Park bandshell.

On Sunday, the garage sales and craft show and quilt show will continue at the fairgrounds, while the Garden Tour will also run from noon-3 p.m. that day.

All in all, a great weekend of events and activities, with something for everyone to do. Hopefully, Mother Nature will also agree and provide good weather for the weekend as well.