VERSAILLES – Another large crowd is anticipated for the 65th Annual Versailles Poultry Days set for June 10-12. Annually, visitors numbering more than 50,000 have made the event one of the largest in the area. This year’s theme is “A Salute to the Farmer.”
Touting one of the largest chicken dinner sales totals for a festival, officials hope to top last year’s total of 25,200 dinners. The meals will be available all three days of the festival.
Tom and Shila Magoto, both Versailles natives, have been chosen as parade marshals. Their community involvement is being honored during the parade which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Both Tom and the former Shila Dapore were high school sweethearts graduating from Versailles High School and then Miami University. They were married in 1972, the same year that Tom began his 42-year career with State Farm Insurance opening an agency in Versailles. Shila taught in the Greenville and Russia school districts before concentrating on raising their family, and later becoming office manager for the insurance agency.
Mr. Magoto qualified for many industry awards and travel excursions with State Farm. He was also a past president of the Miami Valley Association of Life Underwriters. Through State Farm, he started the Versailles Bike Rodeo.
He also served as a summer youth coach for many years and served on the Poultry Day’s board tabbed as chairman in 1991. Tom has also been involved with many church and community organizations throughout the years.
Shila was a Girl Scout leader for 15 years, leading two troops at a time for several years. She served on the Downtown Restoration Committee and was one of the founding members of the Versailles Handcrafters and a member of Coterie Club. She currently participates in the Mat-making for the homeless ministry with the ladies at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Magotos have five children and nine grandchildren.
The Social Tent entertainment lineup has several musical acts scheduled.
Versailles natives Taylor Huffman and Bryant Ahrens will perform in an acoustical duet performance from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Huffman was the 2013 Country Concert Karaoke finals and opened for the band, Little Big Town.
Saw Creek, a band from the Chickasaw and Maria Stein area will perform country music from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday. The band is led by Steve Rosenbeck, along with his son Zach and two nephews, Jared and Jesse Ranly. The band specializes in classic and Top 40 country music by the likes of Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Kenney Chesney and many more. They have played in Nashville, Toby Keith’s bar and grill, and have opened for artists Dylan Scott and Clark Manson.
Also appearing on Friday is Danny Schneible from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and The Mic Stand Band from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the lineup features Higgins and Madewell from 1 to 4:30 p.m.; On The Radar from 5 to 7 p.m.; and 8 Ball from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Organizers have set Friday at 6:30 p.m. for the finals of the Little Miss Poultry Days. The Miss Chick contest is planned for Saturday 2 to 4 p.m. Both events will be held at the old high school gym.
Other festival events include:
Friday, June 10
• 12 noon-8 p.m. Friends of the Library Book Sale at Worch Memorial Library.
• 3-8 p.m. Art and Photography Show – Multi-Purpose Building.
• 3-8 p.m. Flower show – Bus Driver Meeting Room.
• 3:30-8 p.m. Drive and walk-thru Barbecue Chicken (or until sells out).
• 7-11 p.m. K of C Bingo – Back of building.
Saturday, June 11
• 7-8:15 a.m. 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run registration at the new high school’s east parking lot.
• 8 a.m. 1-Mile Fun Run at new high school.
• 8:30 a.m. 5K Run/Walk Race (Awards following) at new high school.
• 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee Tournament – Heritage Park.
• 11 a.m. Grand parade.
• 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Drive and walk-thru Barbecue Chicken (or sell out)
• 12 noon-7 p.m. Versailles FFA petting zoo, east of bus parking lot.
• 1-11:00 p.m. K of C Bingo – Back of Building.
• 2 p.m. Wood carving show (also at 4, 6 and 8 p.m.).
• 7 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee – Egg Eating Contest – Heritage Park.
Sunday, June 12
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Antique Car and Tractor Parade Cruise-In (New School North Parking Lot).
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee Tournament – Heritage Park.
• 10:00 a.m. Church in the Park – Tent in park north of the pool.
• 11a.m.-7 p.m. Drive and walk-thru Barbecue Chicken (or sell out).
• 1 p.m. Wood Carving Show (also at 3, 5 and 7 p.m.)
• 1 p.m. Kiddie Tractor Pull – Driveway to the vendor area.
• 1-10 p.m. K of C Bingo – Back of building.
• 1:30 p.m. Corn Hole Tournament – front lawn of old high school.
• 2:30 p.m. Antique Car Parade.
• 3 p.m. Antique Tractor Pa
