Community comes together in Roachdale for SummerFest

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

ROACHDALE -- One town in northern Putnam County is taking on a patriotic appearance, with banners in place and flags appearing on the windows of downtown Roachdale merchants as the community prepares for SummerFest 2009 on July 3 and 4.

The event kicks off Friday evening with the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Fish Fry starting at 4 p.m. This is followed by a revival of the Roach Races from the 1980s. No one will want to miss this hilarious competition of dressed up roaches racing on the original track made by the Roachdale Lions.

The race begins at 6 p.m. and is open to anyone. It is held behind the Roachdale Library. For anyone without their own special entry, roaches donated by Purdue University will be available at no cost.

Entertainment by Nashville Connection rounds out the evening from 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday offers an array of activities for families. The Delta Theta Tau Café & Bake sale will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Community Garden.

Registration for the VFW car show is from 8 a.m. to noon.

Dalton Harbison and mother Julie are organizing the Pedal Tractor Pull for ages eight and under. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. on the north side of the Roachdale Public Library. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to participate. For questions contact the Harbisons at 522-1814.

The VFW Fish Fry will also resume Saturday at 11 a.m.

This is followed by the pet parade at 1 p.m. with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. Owners of all ages can participate by dressing the family pet in his finest. People friendly pets are welcome to stroll with their owners before an admiring audience. Registration is on the north side of the library. Nancy Buser, with the help of Carolyn Jones, is organizing this event and may be contacted at 522-1244.

Connie Edwards continues to build the tradition of a parade this year with help from husband Steven. There is no entry fee and anyone is welcome to join the parade by showing up at the school for the line-up.

"You can bring anything you want for the parade. We have had wagons and trucks decorated, kids walking, animals, golf carts and old cars," said Edwards.

"Last year we had a great turnout. Everybody was lined up and down the road. The Girl Scouts were giving out pops and there was candy everywhere. Last year, lots of people donated candy and we're accepting donations again this year," added Edwards.

The parade begins lining up at Roachdale Elementary School at 2:30 p.m. and gets underway at 3:30. This year's route differs a little from last year due to construction in the downtown area.

The parade will proceed north on Indiana to Grove Street, then east to Meridian, crossing Forest Home (SR 236), past the VFW to Railroad Street, left to Main Street, going over 236 to Grove and then back to Indiana and disbanding at the school.

Anyone who wants more information about the parade can call Edwards at 522-1781 or e-mail her at scedwards@tds.net

Big Bounce Amusements will be on hand with their giant blow-ups from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday in the TDS employee parking lot.

The festival ends with the Memorial Balloon Release at the Roachdale Community Garden from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Robert Allen Family is in charge of this event.

Several area businesses, organizations and individuals are supporting SummerFest 2009. They include Asher Tire, Co-Alliance, Crop Production Services, Delta Theta Tau, Jim Derringer Family, Morgan and Servies Funeral Home, Pete Nolan, No-Sail Splash Guards, Porter's Greenhouse, Ted Yahraus Family and Marilyn Wells of Lafayette.

Additional gifts are pending from Hoosier Heartland Bank, Tri-County Bank, Heritage Waste and Peavey Elevator.

Tax-deductible gifts to support Roachdale Community projects for the benefit of the community can be made to the Putnam County Community Foundation earmarked for the Roachdale PRIDE fund.

Gifts intended for support of SummerFest must have Roachdale PRIDE -- SummerFest entered on the memo line. Funds may also be given at Tri-County to Roachdale PRIDE. Loose change and small bills may be deposited in collection jars located at Riggles Hardware and the community banks.

Any one wishing to supply raffle items may contact Bonnie Yahraus at 522-1430.

Also occurring in the Roachdale area on July 4 is a roping contest organized by Champion roper and bull rider David Winings at his Diamond W ranch east of the town on State Road 236. Ropers will be competing to win a saddle that is on display at Tri-County bank. It begins at 1 p.m.

Questions relating to Roachdale SummerFest may be directed to 522-1430 or the organizers of the events as listed.

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  • You can also view more information at www.townofroachdale.com

    -- Posted by cpickens on Wed, Jul 1, 2009, at 8:49 AM
  • Make sure to visit the Winings. They will put on a great show.

    -- Posted by familygirl on Thu, Jul 2, 2009, at 6:55 AM
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