MECHANICSBURG – Mechanicsburg’s Summer Celebration is now just weeks away and volunteers are putting in the final touches on the July 8 event. Our Towne Mechanicsburg is very excited to announce that the Grand Marshal of the 2017 parade will be Fritz the Night Owl! Many who grew up in and around Columbus have fond memories of Nite Owl Theatre, which ran on WBNS from 1974 through 1991. Fritz the Nite Owl hosted 6,205 consecutive shows and has won 6 Emmy Awards for his work. Fritz has since returned to his roots and is hosting movies in theaters in and around Columbus. And, in 2012, he was inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame. Information and schedules can be found on Facebook and at www.fritzlives.com.
For the second year in a row, professional tractor pulls are back in Mechanicsburg, surrounded by a full day of events. Summer Celebration 2017 kicks off with the annual parade through town beginning at 10 a.m. For the fourth year, a team of local Indian all-stars will take on the 1860’s-era Ohio Village Muffins vintage baseball team at 11 a.m. at the Mechanicsburg High School baseball field. The Mechanicsburg Farmers Market will set up at Unity Park in downtown Mechanicsburg for the day, and traditional Summer Celebration events will continue at Goshen Park all day.
There are still spots available in this year’s parade and to play on the Indians team against the Muffins. If you are interested in participating in either event, please reach out ASAP by texting or calling Dan Eck at 614-579-2120.
Gates to Goshen Park will open at 10 a.m. on July 8, with a $5 per person admission fee charged from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., but kids 10 and under are free all day. Entrance to Goshen Park will be free beginning at 4 p.m. The Tractor Pulls will begin at noon and run until 6 p.m. on the track, and vendors will be available at the top of Goshen Park. Summer Celebration returns many of the favorite activities from prior years, including Children’s Sand Digs at 5 and 7 p.m. We’ll keep the music and fun going into the evening, leading up to the traditional fireworks display at approximately 10 p.m.
Primary parking for all of the events July 8 will be in the Mechanicsburg Schools parking lots. For questions about the tractor pulls, please call 614-348-2729, or email [email protected]. Vendors interested in participating in this year’s Summer Celebration need to call or text Tina at 614-584-2467, as spots are filling up fast.
The tractor pulls are again sponsored by McGuire Trucking & Agricultural Services and The Dairy Parlor, and the fireworks are again sponsored by Tim’s Towing and the Cassady Family, to honor the Mechanicsburg school system. An important part of the annual funding for this event comes from local donations, including in the buckets around town, so please consider donating.
For additional information, find Our Towne Mechanicsburg on Facebook, or visit: www.MechanicsburgOhio.org .
