Chingawassa Days features numerous new events
Visitors to the June 4-6 Chingawassa Days celebration will have the opportunity to participate in and/or enjoy a number of first-time events.
Case and Son Rhino Run — The 5k run and two mile fun-run/walk will begin and end Saturday morning at Central Park. The starting gun will be an anvil shoot.
The registration fee is $20, $25 after May 28, and includes a T-shirt and $5 Chingawassa Days button. Registration forms are available at Case and Son Insurance, Marion Chamber of Commerce, and Central National, Marion National, and Tampa State banks.
Stupid Human Tricks — At 7 p.m. Friday, registrants will have the opportunity to display stupid human tricks. The winner will receive $50, second place, $25. Chingawassa steering committee member Margo Yates suggests participants pre-register to ensure a spot in the half-hour event.
Marion High School Drumline — An eight-member percussion group will perform on the Chamber stage at 11 a.m. Saturday. They have become an area sensation and will perform "great routines to get your heart pumping."
Jazzy Jumpers — A group of elementary and high school students who have developed jump rope into an art form will perform at 12:15 p.m. They perform at other schools to get students interested in physical fitness and promote the Jump Rope for Heart program sponsored by the American Heart Association.
Prairie Goose Stompers — At 12:45 p.m., James Ownbey, music educator, and Jim Versch, art instructor, will play obscure music of 20th century America on the mandolin and piano. Tunes they claim are worth remembering whether or not they hit the top of the charts range from ragtime and radio hits of the 30s, 40s, and 50s to straight-ahead blues and a fusion of bluegrass, western swing, and vintage rock 'n' roll.
Bal-A-Vis-X demonstration — At 1:15 p.m., MES students will perform exercises using balls, sandbags, and balance boards. The program, which develops balance and auditory and vision skills is taught in Marion schools to promote concentration and hand and eye co-ordination. It has proved to increase performance in math and reading.
New games
Grab for Cash — Marion National Bank is sponsoring Grab for Cash. Given a few seconds' time, participants will step inside an inflated 10-foot high "bank vault" to grab for money or coupons circulating inside. People will register and names will be drawn to determine who gets to try for the cash.
This 15-minute event will take place at 6:45 Friday evening in the park and again Saturday evening on the Main Stage.
Water Wars — This is a game which pits two people against each other. Standing 15-20 feet apart, each within a wood-frame structure, contestants will launch large water-filled balloons at each other using a large rubber band like a sling shot. The goal is to burst the balloon over the opponent. The game will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Dinky Duck Race — St. Luke Hospital is sponsoring a Dinky Duck Race at 10:45 a.m. Saturday on Luta Creek. Participants may adopt one duck, or a family, flock, or "oodles" of ducks and cheer them on. More than 1,000 ducks are available. Prizes will be awarded. Money raised will go toward the hospital management transition.
A wife-carrying contest has been added to the boot race and money in the hay games sponsored by Midlands Farm Services and Scully Estates. Various age groups will compete. Goat chip Bingo also will be available for the first time. These and other games will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Chingawassa Days is sponsored by the City of Marion, Marion Chamber of Commerce, and area businesses.
"We are excited about Chingawassa Days," said Jim Hefley, president of Marion National Bank. "It sets the Marion community apart from others. This is the reason why people settle in small towns."
Visitors must have a Chingawassa Days button to enter the park. General admission is $5 in advance, $7 after May 28 or at the gate. General admission plus the Saturday evening concert is $20, $25 after May 28. Ages 10 and under will be admitted free to the park and concert.
Buttons may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses or by calling 1-888-382-0055.
