By DAVE SCHULTZ
The 2022 Bluffton Free Street Fair steps off, quite literally, Tuesday evening when the Opening Night Parade makes its way through downtown on Main and Market streets — the fair’s Midway.
The theme for this year’s event is “Memories of Main Street.” Erica Lehman, in her first year as chairman of the Street Fair board, says the theme gives fairgoers an opportunity to tell their story.
“Just about everyone has a memory of the Street Fair,” Lehman said.
Barbara Barbieri of the News-Banner will be the grand marshal for this year’s parade. There will be 45 units in this year’s parade, with awards given for the best commercial float and the best float entered by a not-for-profit organization.
Several of the fair’s standard elements are intact for the fair’s 2022 edition, with vendors, rides, the Classic Car Show on Wednesday, and children’s events on Saturday morning. There will also be the Street Fair Idol show on the West Washington Street stage and tribute bands inspired by Metallica and Guns ‘n’ Roses at Kehoe Park, both on Saturday night. The Street Fair Band will also perform on the Midway throughout the week.
A community worship night will again be held on the West Washington Street stage on Wednesday night.
Thee are some significant changes, too.
The high school show choir competition will not be held on Thursday night. Instead, local school and community choirs will perform on the West Washington Street stage at 7:30 p.m.
While the equestrian show will not be part of the fair this year, the horse pulling events will continue despite the death of longtime organizer Kenny Ellenberger. Lehman says others have stepped forward to continue the program, which is held at the 4-H Park.
In a late change, the youth talent competition on Saturday morning has been canceled due to a lack of entrants.
Poor Jack’s Amusements will have rides on the Midway again this year.
Tuesday, Sept. 20
($20 wristbands on Poor Jack
Amusement rides, 5 p.m. to close)
3 p.m. — Vendors and concession food stands open
7 p.m. — Performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Main and Market streets.
7 p.m. — Bluffton Free Street Fair’s Opening Parade, with Grand Marshal Barbara Barbieri, on the Midway. (Parade float award presentation after the parade at Main and Market streets.)
8 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Johnson and Washington streets
9:30 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Main and Market streets
Wednesday, Sept. 21
($20 wristbands on Poor Jack
Amusement rides, 5 p.m. to close)
Noon to 5:30 p.m. — Antique and Classic Car Show, along South Main Street on the Midway. (Line up and judging begins at noon, with awards at 5:30 p.m.)
6 p.m. — Antique and Classic Car Parade, Midway
6:15 p.m. — High school band parade, Midway.
7 to 8:30 p.m. — Community worship night, main stage on West Washington Street.
7:30 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Main and Washington streets
9 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Market and Johnson streets
Thursday, Sept. 22
($20 wristbands on Poor Jack
Amusement rides, 5 p.m. to close)
6 p.m. — Industrial Parade, Midway
7:30 p.m. — Local Choral Groups Showcase, main stage on West Washington Street
7:30 to 8:15 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Parlor City Plaza stage
9 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Main and Market streets
Friday, Sept. 23
($17 wristbands on Poor Jack
Amusement rides, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
2 p.m. — Street Fair Dixieland Band, Main and Market streets
3:30 p.m. — Street Fair Dixieland Band, Market and Johnson streets
5 to 6 p.m. — Creative Arts ballet students, Parlor City Plaza
5 to 9 p.m. — Registration for the Barbarians Bikers for Bicycles raffle, East Market Street
6 p.m. — Street Fair Band concert, children’s area
7:30 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Market and Marion streets
8 to 10 p.m. — FNX Wrestling, main stage on West Washington Street
7:30 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Market and Marion streets
9:15 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Main and Market streets
Saturday, Sept. 24
($17 wristbands on Poor Jack
Amusement rides, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
$25 wrestbands rides, 5 p.m. to close)
9 a.m. — Diaper Derby baby crawl race, in front of the main stage on West Washington Street
9:30 a.m. — Optimist Tractor Pull for children 3 to 7 years old, in front of the main stage on West Washington Street
10 a.m. — Big Wheel race for children 6 to 8 years old, in front of the main stage on West Washington Street
10:30 a.m. — Prince and princess crowning (4 to 6 years of age), main stage on West Washington Street
11 a.m. — Pony pull, 4-H Park
1 p.m. — Heavyweight horse pull, 4-H Park
2 p.m. — Street Fair Dixieland Band, Market and Marion streets.
2:30 p.m. — Jim Barron magic show, Parlor City Plaza
3:30 p.m. — Street Fair Dixieland Band, Parlor City Plaza
4 p.m. — Jim Barron magic show, Parlor City Plaza
5:30 p.m. — Pre-Idol Music, main stage on West Washington Street
6:30 p.m. — “Street Fair Idol,” main stage on West Washington Street
7 to 9 p.m. — KNO Warrior karaoke with DJ Frank Smith III, Parlor City Plaza
7:30 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Marion and Market streets
7 p.m. — Concert opening act, Nightrain (Guns ‘n’ Roses tribute band), Kehoe Park
9 p.m. — Concert closing act, The Four Horsemen (Metallica tribute band), Kehoe Park
9 p.m. — Street Fair Band, Main and Market streets
daves@news-banner.com
