HOW TO GO
WHAT: Darrtown Reunion/Fall Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10
WHERE: Edot Park, 4399 West St.
PARADE: Begins at 9:30 a.m. at Darrtown Village Square
MORE INFO: Visit www.darrtown.com
Celebration of this community’s bicentennial two years ago was such a success residents could not wait 200 years to do it again and last year held a town reunion, which will be repeated Saturday.
Plans for this year’s Darrtown Reunion include some of the same things which made the bicentennial and last year’s reunion so successful, but there are some additions for people to enjoy.
Included in the events of the day will be dedication of a Memorial Park plaque and of a new playground recently installed at Edot Park. A Tractor Tire Flip for men has been added to the day and promises to be a lot of fun as was last year’s Skillet Toss for women, which will be repeated this year.
“We had about 1,500 people last year and we were encouraged by that and had an interest in continuing,” said Fred Lindley, who has been actively involved in planning the events of the three years. “People seemed interested. We had a bit of bad weather late (last year) that sent people home but we still thought it was a good time.”
The planning committee has been busy practically since last year’s reunion ended to keep the momentum going and bring people back. The day-long list of activities is a testament to the work that has gone into planning.
Two community dedications will be held that day marking more than just fun for the day, but a lasting tribute to a community steeped in history.
As the parade begins at 10 a.m., there will be a brief dedication of the Milford Twp. Veterans Memorial at the center of town. The memorial park was dedicated as part of the Bicentennial observance two years ago and a large rock has since been installed with a bronze plaque identifying the park.
At noon, after activities have shifted to Edot Park, there will a dedication of a new community playground and unveiling of a marker signifying the donation of the equipment by McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital /TriHealth.
The playground replaced one in poor condition and is part of the hospital’s outreach to local communities.
“We are excited to partner with Darrtown to develop a safe place for kids within the region to play. Our goal is to not just provide exceptional care for patients at McCullough-Hyde/TriHealth, but to reinvest into our region and promote health and wellness,” hospital Executive Director for Hospital Operations Brett Kirkpatrick said.
The Talawanda High School Jazz Band will be on hand early as the parade begins to form, playing music on the village square at 9:30 a.m.
Following the parade, the music theme will continue through the day on the Edot Park stage with the Coke Otto Boys playing at 11 a.m., Ron & Joe at 12:15 p.m., Sothern Cross at 1:30, Thankful Hearts at 4:15 and Dashboard Mary at 5:45.
There will be dancing on the stage with Robyn’s Dance Studio at 3 p.m.
The competition activities will likely draw a lot of attention and promise to be a lot of fun with a corn hole tournament beginning at noon, Frisbee throwing event at 1 p.m., Ladies’ Skillet Toss at 2 and the men’s Tractor Tire Flip at 4.
The Tractor Tire Flip will pit two-man teams against each other in four age groups: 15-29, 30-49, 50 and up and combo. Winners will be determined by the most flips the teams make in 60 seconds. Registration can be done at the registration tent on the day of the Reunion before 4 p.m. or by calling Lindley at 937-602-3270. Entry fee is $10.
“We thought we needed something primarily aimed at men, because the Skillet Toss is aimed at women,” Lindley said. “It should be fun to watch.”
The Talawanda/Butler Tech FFA chapter is handling promotion and conducting the event for the Reunion organizers.
The Skillet Toss returns after a successful debut last year with teams of four women competing for prizes as well as individual competition. Age groups for the team event are the same as for the Tractor Tire Flip and the individual competition will be 15-29, 30-49 and 50 and up.
The skillets being used weigh 3.5 pounds. Entry fee is $12 for teams or $3 per toss for individuals. Registration is on-line or at the tent on the day of the event.
The Frisbee Throw will be in age categories 5-9, 10-17 and 18 and older with the closest to the hole winning. Each child will receive a toy and male and female winners in each of the upper two categories will receive prizes.
The Corn Hole tournament will have a $40 team entry fee with the winners getting $500, second-place finishers $250 and third place $100. It will be two-person teams and a double-elimination tournament. Register at Don’s Carryout or The Hitching Post or call Don Beckett at 523-6171 after 9 p.m.
The Lutheran Church will host a Biergarten with food items throughout the day with proceeds benefiting the church and the Darrtown Reunion Fund.
A Kids Zone will open at 11 a.m. with ring toss, putt putt golf and the goldfish game where kids throw a ping pong ball into the bowl.
There are approximately 30 vendors planning to take part in the day’s activities including the areas of antiques, scarves and jewelry, photography, toys, metal works, crafts and more.
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