By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
PEMBERVILLE—When Ten-year-old Liam Myers dreamed up his idea for a float in Wednesday night’s Pemberville Kiddie Parade, the fair’s theme—”This Fair’s for You”—was front and center.
The patriotic red-white-and-blue color scheme commemorated the country’s 250th anniversary and the village’s 150th birthday, but the main message he shared was, “There is something for everyone” at the Pemberville Free Fair.
“Over 30 things to do HERE,” Liam pointed out on the trailer-filled float. “Entertainment. Food. Games. Rides. Events. Shows. Displays.”
Using toys, figurines, dolls, stuffies, and other items found in and around his house, the environmentally conscientious Luckey Troop Boy Scout represented most of the different activities fairgoers could expect to see and do during the fair’s schedule, Aug. 19-22.
All 20 units in the Kiddie Parade on Wednesday showed a commitment to community, creativity and family connections to Pemberville and the fair.
The Madaras and Palmer families’ float was a “Big Dill,” using a pickleball theme in the sports category. A barrel-full of kids and adults carried out the theme, continuing a 53-year family tradition of participating in the fair and its Kiddie Parade.
A giant web and the farmyard from “Charlotte’s Web” were featured on the float of the Wolf, Speck, Radabaugh and Leuck families. “All the parents grew up in the Charlotte’s Web era. We all loved the movie. This way, we could share the movie we all loved with our kids.”
A group of cousins— the Lintons, Purkeys, Scheanwalds and Tapleys — served up a “family reunion” picnic for all the kids on their float. It was the first time they came together as adults for the Kiddie Parade, in part, because the kids were all old enough to enjoy the experience.
A float put together by several families honored the late Donald “Chopper” Schmeltz, a legendary youth and American Legion baseball coach from Pemberville. The American Legion Post 183 baseball park named the Chopper Schmeltz Field, was the centerpiece of the float.
Featuring “America’s Greatest Pastime,” the float included a scoreboard of USA vs. Pemberville with scores of 250 to 150—alluding to the milestone anniversaries for the country and the village.
Natalie and Adam Clark created Clark Story, their own “Toy Story” float, with Clara as Jessie, Everett as Woody and Gideon as Buzz Lightyear.
This year the kids were active participants, Natalie reported. They were tasked with painting the float in between selling sweet corn at their home farm, where they also raise steers to compete in the fair’s cattle club show. They participate in the fair thanks to the tradition established by her Grandma Ehmke’s longtime participation in the fair, Natalie said.
Stephanie Geiser said she and her friends have agricultural and farm backgrounds, which led to their farm-themed float. A barn and silo flanked the back of the float, and the Geiser, Bruning, Carpenter and Kruse kids used their hands and feet to paint the red, white and blue backdrop.
Harrison and Violet Bohland were “Under the Sea” in the small float category. Mom Kelli Bohland, who is president of the Pemberville Fair Board, said the fair is in her blood. Her grandfather, Clifford Blausey, served on the fair board for many years.
“I have seen firsthand how this fair serves as the heartbeat of Pemberville, uniting neighbors and welcoming visitors with open arms,” she wrote in her fair welcome message.
“It fosters a sense of belonging and pride that stays with us long after the tents are taken down. It’s a shining example of what a community can achieve when it works together toward a common goal,” she said.
Doris Melcher and Ruth Kruse, both Pemberville natives, found a perfect spot at the start of the parade route, to watch the Kiddie Parade.
As the fair kicked off its 81st year, both women reported they have attended all but maybe one Pemberville Fair in their lifetimes.
There are so many reasons to enjoy the Pemberville Free Fair, Kruse said. “The parades, food (cotton candy and barbecue beef sandwiches were their favorite fair food), the chance to see people you only see once a year, but mostly, people like it because they don’t have to pay because it’s a free fair. And that means a lot to a lot of people.”
The fair runs through Saturday, with plenty of events and activities scheduled. The Grand Parade on Saturday at 1 p.m. is a marvelous parade with high school marching bands, twirling units, Shriners, fire departments / first responders, elected officials and political units, military units and drill teams, equestrian units, floats, mascots, antique vehicles, cheer squads and dance teams.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FAIR SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUG. 21
- 9 a.m. —Exhibits open
- 10-11 a.m.—Kids’ free bingo, Bingo Tent
- 11 a.m.—Food vendors open
- Noon-1 p.m.—Music entertainment, Bingo Tent
- 1-3 p.m.—Senior free bingo, Bingo Tent
- 1-9 p.m.—Commercial Tent open, Commercial Tent
- 2:30-3:30 p.m.—Cupcake Walk, all ages, Entertainment Tent
- 3 p.m.—Horse Pull, Valley
- 3-11 p.m.—Rides open
- 5-11 p.m.—50/50 Raffle sales, 50/50 Tent
- 5-6 p.m.—Kids Scavenger Hunt, Scout Cabin
- 5 p.m.—SAL Hog Roast, Memorial Drive
- 5-9 p.m.—Kids Zone Open, Kids Zone Tent
- 6 p.m.—Market Goat Sale, Entertainment Tent
- 6-11 p.m.—Bingo (18+), Bingo Tent
- 6:30 p.m.—Five Miler Begins, Downtown
- 7 p.m.—Post 183 Calf Club Cattle Sale, Cattle Arena
- 7:15-7:30 p.m.—Kids Fun Run Registration, Entertainment Tent
- 7:30 p.m.—Kids Fun Run begins, Entertainment Tent
- 8:30-11 p.m.— Brock Middleton & The Outlaws, Entertainment Tent
- 11 p.m.—Nightly prize winner announced, Entertainment Tent
SATURDAY, AUG. 22
- 7-11 a.m.—Scouts Pancake Breakfast, Bethlehem Lutheran Church
- 8-11:30 a.m.—Grand Parade Registration, School front steps
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.—Vehicle Show Registration and Show, Bethlehem Lutheran Church
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.—Exhibits open
- 9 a.m.-9 p.m.—Commercial Tent open, Commercial Tent
- 11 a.m.—Food Vendors open
- 11 a.m.-11 p.m.—Rides open
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.—50/50 Raffle sales, 50/50 Tent
- Noon—Marching Band Extravaganza, Memorial Drive and Downtown
- 1 p.m.—Grand Parade begins, College Avenue
- 3-4:30 p.m.—Tug of War weigh-in, Countyline Co-op
- 3-9 p.m.—Exhibits open
- 3-11 p.m.—Bingo (18+), Bingo Tent
- 3-11 p.m.—50/50 Raffle sales, Raffle Tent
- 3:30 p.m.—Grand Parade Awards, Entertainment Awards
- 4 p.m.—EZ Pickenz Band, Entertainment Tent
- 4-8 p.m.—Kids Zone Open, Kids Zone Tent
- 5 p.m.—Tug of War, Valley
- 6 p.m.—Chicken Plop, Animal Tent
- 7:30-8:30 p.m.—Human Slots, Entertainment Tent
- 9-11 p.m.—Ill Tempered: Tribute to Alanis Morissettte, Entertainment Tent
- 9 p.m.—Exhibits pickup
- 11 p.m.—50/50 Raffle winner announced, Entertainment Tent
