Coshocton to remember canal days during the Canal Festival
COSHOCTON – The Canal Days Festival is a time to celebrate time periods of long ago and reminisce about the history of Coshocton. This year’s theme is “Reflection of our Heritage” and this will be reflected throughout the festival in the parade and the entertainment. Stroll down the sidewalks and enjoy the many craftspeople, live entertainment, and vendors. Everyone is invited to wear their best canal-era costume throughout the festivities.
The festival will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 7 when the Canal Junior Queen will be named at the Court Square Gazebo at 6 p.m. The Canal Cuties Contest winners will also be announced at this time. On Friday, the 2014 royalty will be expanded when the Canal Festival Princess and Queen are selected at the Court Square Gazebo at 6 p.m. Friday will also feature food, crafts, and games starting at 2 p.m.
On Saturday, the fun continues with the 15th Fabulous 50’s Car Show and the second annual Bike Show sponsored by First Step. Cars and trucks may enter in the following categories: 1959 and under, 1960s – 1979, 1980s – 1999, and 2000 and up. A dash plaque will be awarded to the first 50 entries. Plaques will also be awarded to the top three in each class with one trophy to the best of each class and one for best overall. Cost is $10 per registrant. The registration table will be by the railroad tracks.
“We use the money for our shelter services to shelter women and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Megan Philabaum of First Step.
Registration is from 9 – 11 a.m. and the show is from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Awards will be presented shortly after 2 p.m.
The second annual bike show will be at the same time. Awards will be presented to the top two in each class and a trophy will be awarded to best of each class. Classes include sport, cruiser, touring, classic, trikes, and side cars.
There will also be a DJ, Dave Leary, and a 50/50 drawing and door prizes during the car and bike show.
After browsing through the car and bike show on Main Street, cool down from the heat of the day at the Presbyterian Church during the annual Canal Quilter’s Show. The show officially opens Friday at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is, “Celebration of Scraps” and they will highlight scrap quilts.
“Our opportunity quilt this year is just spectacular,” said Carolyn Manns, member of Canal Quilters. “Each member was challenged to make blocks of different fabrics they had around the house and to turn the blocks in (to the group) and they were made into spools. The quilt is a scrap quilt that features scraps from all of our members.”
This quilt took first place in the Chapter Row category at the National Quilting Association’s annual quilt show in Columbus just recently. Tickets for a chance to win this beautiful and unique quilt are $1 each or six for $5. They can be purchased at the show or from any Canal Quilters member.
While browsing through the quilts, make sure to vote on your favorite. Voting can be done on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The ribbons will be placed on the winning quilts on Sunday, which can be viewed from noon to 4 p.m. Kids may also get in on the fun with a scavenger hunt where they are given photos of different things to look for in the quilts
“We are also doing the Veterans’ Hall again,” said Manns. “It was very popular last year. All quilts were made by members to give to various veterans in the county.”
There will also be boxed lunches for purchase and various vendors and a boutique to look through. Members of the Canal Quilters have handmade various items that will be on sale in the boutique.
Admission to the show is $5. Everyone who attends the show will leave with a flower made out of buttons that was created by the members.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, head over to the Civic Hall to browse through the many beautifully-edible cakes at the annual BPW cake auction. For the first time, the annual BPW cake auction is going to be held in conjunction with Canal Days due to a conflict with a football game in September. By moving the auction to coincide with Canal Days, members of the BPW are hoping to attract more bidders.
As of print, 25 cakes have been entered into the auction. If you haven’t entered a cake and still want to do so, cakes are still being accepted and can be dropped off on Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. – noon. Viewing begins at 1 p.m. and the auction will start at 6:30 p.m., shortly after the parade. Auctioneers for the evening will be Mary Mason and Sherri Fortune of Agents Realty and Auction Service. The money raised will go toward BPW.
“Part of the money is used for the Joan McNeely Working Women’s Scholarship,” said Kim Gress, member of BPW. “The other money goes toward other community programs we support like money for scholarships, Salvation Army’s Christmas Castle, Buckeye Girls State, and others.”
Gress said the oddest cake she has ever seen was a kitty litter box cake, which was voted Most Unusual that year. She has also seen cakes in the shape of combat boots with an upside-down gun, helicopters, and even a cake that looked like the Roscoe Blacksmith Shop.
You don’t have to be a professional to enter cakes into the BPW cake auction. Cupcakes and cheesecakes are also accepted.
After voting for your favorite cake, make sure to attend the annual grand parade through downtown Coshocton at 5 p.m. featuring many organizations in the community, government personnel, 2014 elected queens and princess, and people dressed in canal-era clothing. There will also be a Canal Festival Concert at 7 p.m. featuring Todd Taylor.
“He’s tremendous,” said John Kunkle who is in charge of entertainment. “Not only does he sing the song, he introduces them, and what I mean by that is he tells a little bit about the song. He does a really good job and I think the audience will like him.”
The concert will be at the gazebo, so please bring lawn chairs. Taylor hails from this area and used to work at the Coshocton radio station. His website is toddttaylor.com. Other entertainment will be provided throughout the day including Jordan Rose and Dr. Laura Schumann.
The 2014 Canal Festival will come to a close on Sunday, Aug. 10 with the Mayor’s Promenade and Reception. Registration is at 12:45 p.m. with judging at 1:15 p.m. and the promenade begins at 2 p.m.
For more information on the Canal Days Festival, visit the Coshocton Towne Center Association website at coshoctontca.com or find them on Facebook at Coshocton Canal Festival.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Arts & Entertainment
