By DAVE SCHULTZ
Downtown Bluffton is getting busy.
The annual Bluffton Free Street Fair will open at 7 p.m. Tuesday as the Opening Night Parade steps off down the Midway. It will mark the first of three consecutive nights of parades as the fair begins its 112th version. Streets were closed off Sunday as vendor booths and rides were being set up.
The Merchants Tent, after being temporarily located on East Market Street, has relocated to West Market Street. Various community organizations will be offering food and other items for sale and the Poor Jack’s operation will have rides in operation each day.
A “pre-fair” concert by the Musiclectics at the corner of Main and Market streets is actually the first thing on the schedule for this year’s fair. The group will also perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” before the parade rolls out.
After the Opening Night Parade Tuesday will be a Jeep parade.
Tara Cocanower, the Bluffton High School teacher who has recently served as Indiana ‘s Teacher of the Year, will be the grand marshal for the Opening Night Parade.
Also on the parade schedule are two parades on Wednesday night, the Antique and Classic Car Parade on Wednesday night, which will be followed by the High School Band Parade. The Industrial Parade will be held as usual on Thursday night.
Other highlights of the week include:
• The Antique and Classic Car Show, which will line the Midway along South Main Street starting at noon. The winners in the annual car show will be announced at 5:30 p.m. before the vehicles “cruise” into parade formation.
• A Community Worship Night, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, will be held on the West Washington Street stage.
• A concert by the Four Horseman (a Metallica tribute band) will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday. The band was on the schedule and performed last year.
• A performance by the dancers in the Creative Arts ballet program is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday on the Parlor City Plaza.
• A Pony Pull and the Heavyweight Horse Pull are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, at the 4-H Park on Saturday.
• Several children’s events are planned for Saturday — A Diaper Derby at 11 a.m., an Optimist Tractor Pull for children 3 to 7 years of age at 11:15 a.m., and a Big Wheel race for children 6 to 8 years of age at 11:30 a.m. All of those events are scheduled to take place in front of stage on West Washington Street. Also, at noon, will be the crowning of the fair’s prince and princess at the Parlor City Plaza.
• A Circus Variety Act will be presented at both 2 and 4 p.m. at the Parlor City Plaza.
• The annual Street Fair Idol competition, trimmed to 10 participants from its usual 12, will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday.
• Another concert, at 9 p.m. Saturday, will feature the Fooz Fighters — a Foo Fighters tribute band — on the West Washington Street stage.
The Street Fair Band will present at least two concerts a day each day of the fair.
The weather calls for perfect weather throughout the fair, with highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s each day. No rain is in the forecast.
daves@news-banner.com
