ANNA — Nothing has the hometown feel like classic cars, craft beers, a queen’s pageant, live entertainment and crowd-pleasing contests.
The Anna Homecoming, scheduled for June 17-18 in the Shelby County village, is anticipating having plenty of each.
“We have been fortunate to have many new community members join the Anna Civic Association this year, which has brought many new ideas…and much needed help and enthusiasm! The committee is working hard to bring the best Anna Homecoming possible to the community. Every member wants this event to be a time of community fun and memories for all ages!” said committee member Deb McDermott.
The theme for this year’s parade, said McDermott, is “It Takes a Community.” The parade time has also been changed to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
“We hope that the parade-goers will come to watch the parade and then visit the festival to enjoy all the new events,” said McDermott.
New to the annual event this year will be the appearance of the Moeller Brew Barn trailer, courtesy of the Maria Stein-based brewery (www.moellerbrewbarn.com), whose craft beers have been building a sparkling reputation throughout the Heartland since its founding in 2015.
Owner Nick Moeller said that the Moeller Brew Barn trailer will be offering five of its craft beers to attendees, including Moweizen, Blackberry Prairie Wheat, Baked Oatmeal Stout, Frogtown IPA, and Wally Post Red, so named for the famous Cincinnati baseball player who hailed from western Ohio town of St. Henry.
“It’s nice to be part of local celebrations (like the Anna Homecoming),” Moeller said of packing up a select few of his 20 different craft beers and hitting the road in the trailer to spread the word about his passion for yeast and hops concoctions. “We love getting out there and sharing. It’s always a good time.”
Another big attraction for Anna Homecoming is the Cruise In Car Show, where gearheads get chance to show off their hot rods and complete for prizes. Stan Egbert, who with sons Rob and Jon has been running the Cruise-In for the past 15 years, still gets a kick out of organizing the event, even after a decade-and-a-half on the job.
“We have about 40 sponsors who donate prizes,” Egbert said. “It makes you feel kinda good that everybody in the community gets involved.”
Egbert went on to say that this year’s theme for the Cruise-In “Rocket: Oil for the Space Age”, a nod to an advertising slogan for the defunct Rocket Motor Oil Company and the hometown Anna Rockets. And, yes, Egbert will have his own entry in the show, a robin’s egg blue ’58 Chevy station wagon, while Rob will be showing up in a ’67 Pontiac Tempest. Egbert says that turnout for the Cruise-In always depends on the weather, but with fair skies sightseers can expect to see 75 to 80 cars and trucks, from vintage pre-WWII jalopies to tricked-out short beds. In addition to awards for antique, sports, classic, muscle, and modern cars, both the participants and spectators get to vote for their hot rod or pickup, which comes with a corresponding award.
Registration for the Cruise-In is from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jun. 17, and awards will be handed out at 8 p.m. Plaques will be issued to all participants and the first 50 registrants will received t-shirts.
No homecoming would be complete without a royal pageant and this year high school seniors Sarah Foltz, Korteney Kitchen, Sarah Jones, Kelsey Meyer, Claire Spicer and Katie Thomas will be vying for the honor of 2016 Anna Homecoming Queen. All six must compete in a modeling and talent contest and complete an interview with MC (and high school principal) Joel Staudter. The contest starts at 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, and takes place in the Anna Elementary gym. Admission is $3 per person.
Foltz is the daughter of Gary and Mary Foltz. Her escort is Owen Michael, son of Scott and Beth Michael. She will be playing the piano and is sponsored by Creative Images.
Jones is the daughter of Greg and Angela Jones. Ryan Steinke, son of Aaron and Julie Steinke, will be her escort. She is sponsored by Technimoldplus Inc. and will be playing the clarinet.
Kitchen is the daughter of Mindy and Kevin Kitchen. She will be escorted by Nathan Poeppelman, son of Laura and Tim Poeppelman. She is sponsored by Panache Salon and Day Spa and will be entertaining the audience with a speech.
Meyer is the daughter of Greg and Krista Meyer. Escorted by Lucas Huber, son of Randy and Chris Huber, she will be singing. Her sponsor is Wells Brothers Inc.
Spicer is the daughter of Gary and Marian Spicer. Her escort is Nathan Frilling, son of Pat and Sue Frilling. She is sponsored by Bridal Emporium and will be singing as her talent.
Thomas is the daughter of Mike and Holly Thomas. Her escort is Nathan Osborne, son of Jim and Kim Osborne. Her talent will be playing the flute. She is sponsored by Timberidge Limousine Service.
The 2017 prince and princess is Logan Zigenbusch, son of Kristi and Andy Ziegenbusch, and Maria Heitkamp, daughter of Vera and Mike Heitkamp.
Three judges will determine the queen, first runner-up and second runner-up. The 2015 Anna Homecoming queen, Ashley Dentinger, will crown the 2016 queen.
The pageant committee includes Ashley Stewart and Ashlinn Kipp, both of Anna.
Attendees can also expect dozens of vendors, selling everything from jewelry to funnel cakes, a kiddie tractor pull (state sanctioned event for the Ohio State Fair), a dodgeball tournament, a 5K run, bingo, a dunk tank, face painting, carnival rides and games and an adult whiffle ball tournament. There will also be a pass, punk and kick contest.
Entertainment for the festival will be in the form of bands Shelby County Line and Swagg. Also scheduled to perform is Mark Cantwil, who will be fresh off his appearance at the Jackson Center Community Days last week.
A complete schedule of events and information on how to register for the events like the kiddie tractor pull, and the dodgeball and whiffle ball tournaments, can be found online at www.annahomecoming.com. The event can also be followed on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Annahomecomingfestival.
