By DAVE SCHULTZ

The 2023 Bluffton Free Street Fair got off to a delightful start Tuesday night as the community got a good look at itself with the Opening Night Parade.

Grand Marshall Tara Cocanower was accompanied in the Street Fair opening parade by her Bluffton High School golf team, teaching peers, friends and family. Sitting with her in the horse-drawn carriage are her husband, Geoff, and nephew, Marshall Stoller. Pictured, the three wave to crowds along Market Street in downtown Bluffton.

For good measure, a Jeep Parade followed the floats and bands of the Opening Night Parade, and when it was over, those in attendance hit the food vendors, viewed the displays in the Industrial Tent, and greeted friends and neighbors up and down the Midway.

Two of Tuesday night’s best seats belonged to Madison Mason, left, and her friend, Dana Minnich, as they sat on top of the vehicle owned by Wes and Helen Minnich, in the more conventional seats, during the Jeep Parade that concluded the Bluffton Free Street Fair’s Opening Night festivities. (Photo by Dave Schultz)

Grand Marshal for the Opening Night Parade was Tara Coconower, the Bluffton High School teacher who has been the Indiana Teacher of the Year. 

The theme for the Opening Night Parade was “Growing the Future,” and the No. 1 float as decided by the judges was the entry of the Wells County Historical Society. That earned the group the first-place cash reward of $250.

Pictured above is the parade’s winning float from the Wells County Historical Society and Museum. (Photos by Holly Gaskill)

Second place in the float competition went to BBR Imports of Bluffton, which received prize of $200. Other prize-winning floats belonged to the Musiclectics, third place and $150; the Southern Wells Community Church, fourth place and $100; and Markle Health and Rehabilitation, fifth place and $50.

Second place float This year’s second place float went to BBR Imports of Bluffton, which received prize of $200. (Photo by Barbara Barbieri)

The parade featured bands from Bluffton, Southern Wells, and Norwell high schools. The Street Fair Band was in the parade twice, once in the early going and again in the parade’s late stages when it was allowed in as the last entrant in the Jeep parade.

2022 Street Fair Princess Summer Hamilton and Prince Jerrin Terry wave to the crowds during the opening parade on Monday. Their successors will be crowned during the annual Street Fair pageant at noon on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Photo by Holly Gaskill)

Representatives of community organizations, as usual, were a part of the parade, as were city and county officeholders. Several political candidates had a place in the parade as well.

There were sprinkles of rain on and off early in the evening, but no rain marred the actual parades. While somewhat cooler temperatures prevailed Tuesday, the weather forecast for the rest of the week calls for highs in the 80s each day through the fair’s conclusion on Saturday.

Emilia Dixon rides the carousel with her mom, Hannah, during the opening night of the Street Fair. (Photo by Holly Gaskill)

Wednesday’s highlight will be the Antique and Classic Car Show at noon on the South Main Street portion of the Midway. The awards for the car show will be announced at 5:30 p.m., and the vehicles will cruise through a parade starting about 6 p.m.

Another parade, of area high school marching bands, is also scheduled for early Wednesday evening.

Also on Wednesday will be a Community Worship Service at the West Washington Street stage.

daves@news-banner.com

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