Botkins — The Botkins community is gearing up for the 52nd Botkins Carousel, which will be held June 9-11, 2017. The festival was first held in 1965 and has continued to thrive.
This year’s celebration will bring a new ride vendor, Big O Amusements. They will offer wrist bands for $15. These bands will allow patrons to ride all rides all day. The rides open at 6 p.m. on Friday.
The 2017 Carousel queen pageant will be held on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Botkins School.
The contestants are Danielle Schwartz, daughter of Tom and Janet Schwartz, Grace Weatherhead, daughter of Cort and Jenny Weatherhead, Jamie Carducci, daughter of Jimmy and Connie Carducci, Jessica Haywood, daughter of Tim and Jill Haywood, Lillian Koenig, daughter of Aaron and Heide Koenig, Paige Lane, daughter of Michael and Melissa Lane, Dani Schneider, daughter of Andrew and Julie Schneider, and Cassie McGowan, daughter of Jeffery and Tammy McGowan.
“The contestants will all be seniors next year at Botkins High School. They are chosen by their peers from the different organizations,” said pageant director Patty Mack.
The girls will be judged on entrance and street dress, talent, evening gown, and their answers to two questions.
There are activities for the younger children, too. One activity for the children is a National Kiddie Tractor Pull. Children aged three to ten are able to participate. The pull is sanctioned and can qualify the children to participate at the next level.
These tractor pulls are held statewide. This is the second year it will be held at the Carousel.
There will also be a beanbag tournament and a Dodgeball Tournament. A children’s parade on Saturday and free pony rides on Sunday are also planned.
A band is scheduled for each night during the festival. Crowd favorites, Tricky Dick and the Cover-ups on Saturday night and Thick and Thin on Sunday, will be returning.
On Friday evening, Earthquakers will perform. The band is from Erie, Pennsylvania.
“Men named Jacob Byler, Seth Byler and Isaiah Work came together in 1994 to re-invent how much fun people could have if they just left all of their cares at the door and decided to have the time of their lives. Brothers Seth and Jacob had been playing together for about a year bringing together the power rhythm that you hear every night and sometimes taken for granted for it’s so smooth, yet tight. Isaiah gets a call to come along and add some vocals to the mix. Along comes Micah Shetler from western Ohio, the most powerful force in rock and roll. Everything becomes play. The Earthquaker recess!!! Rock and roll entertainment will never be the same,” says the band’s website at www.earthquakers.com.
The annual Carousel parade will take place on Sunday at 1:30.
Following the parade will be the community club grand raffle and the pork loin dinner. Shelby County Pork Producers will provide meat for the Pork loin dinner on Sunday. The dinner is a fundraiser for the Botkins Area Community Club and is one way they raise money to put on next year’s Carousel.
For complete information on activities and times, visit www.botkinscarousel.com.
