Thu Feb 09 2012
Now that the Portage County-Randolph Fair is finished, all eyes are turned toward the weekend after Labor Day when the Mantua Potato Festival will be taking place at the park on East High Street. The festival begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 10, with opening ceremonies. Get Back Band will play from 8 to 11 p.m.
This is a good evening to see neighbors and friends and enjoy some of the potato-based foods offered by vendors.
On Sept. 11, the festival opens at 11 a.m. with the presentation of Potato Stomp Awards, which began at 8:30 a.m. at Crestwood High School. At noon, a corn hole tournament begins. From 1 to 4 p.m., the Kids Got Talent Contest will take place on Stage 1 and at 4 p.m., there will be a French fry eating contest from 4 to 7 p.m.
Tequila Bob and the Flip Flops will entertain on Stage 1 while Balloon Art for Kids entertains everyone at Stage 2. For those entering the bake-off, entries are due at 4 p.m. with awards and auction taking place at 6 p.m. "Jersey," a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band, will be entertaining from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Sunday, the renowned parade steps off at 2 p.m. at the high school, proceeding down Main Street and to the festival grounds. At 3 p.m., the new royal court will be crowned and the visiting queens presented. More Balloon Art for Kids will entertain kids and everyone with the mashed potato eating contest at 4:30 p.m., parade awards at 5 p.m. and finalists for the Kids Got Talent Contest from 5 to 7 p.m.
The grand prize for the raffle is $1,500, second prize, $250, and third prize, a gas grill, and the drawing will be at 7 p.m. Sunday. There will be something for everyone at this community-oriented, admission-free festival.
The Crestwood Scarlet Guard members have already spent many hours this summer preparing for their upcoming season of competitions, halftime performances, and marching in the annual Potato Festival Parade. There are also many hours of practice yet to come as they put the finishing touches on their 2010 competition program, "REACT."
Led by drum majors Rachel Conard and Kegan Twyman, along with field sergeant John Fudella, the CSG will field 76 dedicated and accomplished musicians this marching season. The band is poised for another award-winning year of performances around Ohio, building upon three consecutive years of "superior" ratings at the State Marching Band Finals, and following memorable appearances this past spring at the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Also coming up will be the second annual Band-tastic Golf Outing fund-raiser to benefit the Crestwood Band Patrons at 9 a.m. Sept. 26 at the Kent State University Golf Course. This fund-raiser will be a four-person scramble, and includes 18 holes of golf with carts, coffee and doughnuts, a steak or chicken lunch, and many door prizes.
The cost is $65 per person or $260 per team. Registration forms are available by calling Sue Hurd at 330-842-0012 or Marge Franks at 330-626-1976, or by visiting www.crestwoodbands.org.
On Aug. 14, Jason Huntington and Autumn McCormick, sweethearts since the 11th grade at Crestwood High School, were married at the Garfield Meeting House at Hiram College. Autumn is a graduate of Hiram College, '06, and currently works for Rapid Electric in Mantua. Jason, a 2001 graduate of Crestwood, is employed at Aurora Plastics of Streetsboro. The couple was met outside the church by a horse and buggy provided by Ma and Pa's Horse-Drawn Sleigh and Carriage Rides of Troy. The newlyweds will reside in Mantua Township.
Debbie Rios called to tell me the Class of 1975 at Crestwood will have a reunion on Sept. l8, details of which have been sent to class members. She wanted to report that Linda (Hoefler) Holland of California, also a '75 graduate, is spreading the word that she has been in California so long that she wants to see more than just her classmates, so she is promoting a picnic at Shalersville Park, from 3 to 7 for any Crestwood graduates. Those coming to the picnic should bring chairs, pictures, a blanket, some food and beverage. The disc jockey will be Larry Rios. For more information, call 440-218-4871.
On Sept. 11 during the Potato Festival, Hilltop Christian Church will be preparing its traditional chicken barbecue dinner. The chicken is cooked over a wood pit fire by men of the church and the women prepare homemade potato salad. Green beans, rolls, beverage, and a selection of homemade pies complete the dinner. Dining room service is offered from 1 to 6 p.m. with take-out also available. Cost is $8 per adult, $5 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children ages 3 and younger. The church is located on the top of the hill at 4572 W. Prospect St. in Mantua.
On Sunday afternoon, the new community sign was dedicated, with a group of interested folks attending, including Mayor Donna Hawkins. Also present was the creator of the sign, Jason Sage. This was his Eagle Scout project. Supporting his son in his endeavors was Phil Sage, Jason's father. Thanks, Jason. This informative sign should help all to know the opportunities in our community.
At the beginning of the school year, it is always exciting to welcome the international student, a program that the Rotary Club of Mantua has supported since the early 1980s.
This year our student is Corentin Mercier of Theix, France. He will become part of the Gary and Candy Parr family on Chamberlain Road in Mantua Township and, of course, attend Crestwood High School. The word is out that he plays a lot of basketball -- interesting. If you meet him at school or in the area, please welcome him to Crestwood.
Portage Faith United Methodist Church has changed the date of its free community meal to the second Wednesday evening of each month, starting in October.
The time will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and all are welcome to enjoy food and fellowship. There will be no September meal in order that publicity may be spread. See you on Oct. 13.
See you at the Potato Festival.
For Mantua news, contact Virginia Goodell at 330-274-2376
or vgoodell@aol.com.
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