Crothersville Red, White and Blue Festival kicks off Thursday

CROTHERSVILLE — American flags already are flying along Armstrong Street in Crothersville.

That means it’s time for the annual Crothersville Red, White and Blue Festival.

The 47th edition is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the campus of Crothersville Community Schools.

“I think the weather is supposed to be nice. Come join us for Indiana’s most patriotic festival for three days of fun with your family and friends,” festival director Erica Gorbett said. “Come check out the vendors and the food and support your local community and school.”

Food and craft vendors will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Bluegrass Rides will have a carnival set up with a variety of rides and inflatables. That will be staged in the student parking lot.

Presale bracelets for Thursday can be purchased for $13 at The Peoples Bank in Crothersville.

The first event on the festival schedule is opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Thursday in front of the school along North Preston Street.

In the past, that has included an Indiana Guard Reserve unit presenting the colors, a bagpiper and honoring a local veteran. This year, Gorbett said Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1083 in Crothersville is helping with the ceremony and plans to honor deceased veterans who lived in the community.

“There are a lot of them that passed away before they got a chance to be honored,” she said.

As of Friday, Gorbett was still trying to confirm with the Indiana Guard Reserve and bagpiper about participating. If they can’t, she said the local Boy Scout Troop 522 will be a part of the ceremony.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday near the stage, the prince and princess contest results will be announced. The contestants consist of four third-graders, four fourth-graders and two fifth-graders from Crothersville Elementary School who were selected by their respective classes. They are raising funds through noon Thursday, and the boy and girl who raise the most money will be declared the winners.

Entertainment that night includes Fishers of Men at 6 p.m. and possibly a couple of other acts.

On Friday, line dancers will perform around 5 p.m., followed by On the House at 6:30 p.m. and Brian Fink at 8 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday, the Red, White and Blue Festival Hoopfest will take place in both gymnasiums at the school, featuring sixth grade boys, eighth grade boys and varsity boys and girls basketball teams. Admission is $5 for each day. It’s free for ages 6 and under. A game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, and there are games from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Also Saturday, a kids mini fun run will start at 7:45 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk.

Parade registration will start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Bard Street Park, and the parade will step off at 1:30 p.m., going from the park to Armstrong Street (U.S. 31) to Moore Street to Preston Street.

VFW Post 1083 will do a cake walk at noon, and Gorbett said there will be a pedal tractor pull Saturday, but she didn’t have a time confirmed as of Friday.

Phi Beta Psi sorority is sponsoring the baby contest with categories of 0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 1 to 2 years and 3 to 4 years. Registration with a $10 entry fee will start at 3 p.m., and judging is at 4 p.m., both in the cafetorium. Winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m. at the stage.

Entertainment on the stage includes Steve Deweese at 5 p.m., the band formerly known as Southern Comfort at 6:30 p.m. and Jackson Snelling at 8 p.m.

The patriotic festival will end with a bang, as the fireworks show will start at 10 p.m. at Bard Street Park. It will be presented by Straight Shooters Fireworks LLC, and local sponsors are FPBH Inc. and Cerrowire.

If you go 

47th annual Crothersville Red, White and Blue Festival 

Thursday 

5 to 9 p.m.: Food and craft vendors open

5 p.m.: Opening ceremonies (front of school)

5:30 p.m.: Prince and princess contest (stage)

6 p.m.: Fishers of Men (stage)

Friday 

5 to 10 p.m.: Food and craft vendors open

5 p.m.: Line dancers (stage)

6 p.m.: Red, White and Blue Festival Hoopfest (gymnasium); $5 admission, free for ages 6 and under

6:30 p.m.: On the House (stage)

8 p.m.: Brian Fink (stage)

Saturday 

7:45 a.m.: Kids mini fun run and 5K run/walk (front of school)

10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Red, White and Blue Festival Hoopfest (gymnasiums); $5 admission, free for ages 6 and under

10 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Food and craft vendors open

11:30 a.m.: Parade registration (Bard Street Park)

Noon: Cake walk (stage)

1:30 p.m.: Parade (Bard, Armstrong, Moore and Preston streets)

3 p.m.: Baby contest registration (cafetorium); $10 entry fee

4 p.m.: Baby contest judging (cafetorium)

4:30 p.m.: Baby contest results (stage)

5 p.m.: Steve Deweese (stage)

6:30 p.m.: Band formerly known as Southern Comfort (stage)

8 p.m.: Jackson Snelling (stage)

10 p.m.: Fireworks (Bard Street Park)