MARIA STEIN – The 29th Annual Maria Stein Country Fest is set for June 24-26 at the Shrine of the Holy Relics here. All entertainment is free and open to the public.
Many previous activities will return along with new acts.
The featured performance of the Team Rock USA Extreme Breaking show will take center stage all three days of the festival. The traditional and nationally-known Country Fest Tractor Square Dancers will also perform throughout the weekend. Talented musical entertainment is also slated, according to organizer Don Huelskamp.
The Team Rock ministry program focuses on how today’s fast-paced, technology driven world finds youth struggling in regards to their faith. Team Rock hopes to reach the youth by meeting their desire for entertainment while using the Bible to provide truth, according to a team spokesman.
Their show involves high flying displays of acrobatics and martial arts methods of breaking objects through tapping inner strength. It includes crowd interaction, audience participation, and Christian testimonies to uplift those in attendance.
They will be appearing at 8:30 p.m. Friday; 1, 5:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday; and at 2:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Two-ton square dancers will be performing as dancing farm tractors do the do-si-doe and promenade following the cues of the caller. Eight men will maneuver their tractors in patterns of the traditional square dances.
Visitors will enjoy the comedy of “female” drivers Peppy Perry, Naughty Nancy, Rowdy Roberta, and all the other characters in the arena.
They will have five performances throughout the weekend. They are set for Friday at 10:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30 and 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 3:30 and 10 p.m.
Musical entertainment will be plentiful throughout the weekend.
On Friday, from 8 p.m. to midnight, Empty Tank will perform. At 8:30 p.m., DJ Pac-Man will provide the sounds.
On Saturday, Mark Cantwell takes the stage from 7 to 11 p.m.; and Karma’s Pawn will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Sunday, from 2-5 p.m. Nashville Crush will entertain; at 4 p.m. the duo of Free Lance will perform; at 7 p.m., Steve “Crash” Worley takes the stage; and from 7-11 p.m., Saw Creek of Maria Stein will provide music.
Additional festival events include Garden, Antique and Stock tractor pulls, Cruise-In Car Show, chainsaw wood carving, Go-Kart Races and the Cincinnati Strolling Entertainment.
Adult and children’s competitions include Mini-Indy car, Diaper Derby, Punt-Pass-Kick, Quarterback Challenge and a 5K Run/Walk. Tournaments include volleyball, dodge ball, Corn Hole and 3-on-3 basketball. The festival also includes a petting zoo, games and amusement rides.
For a full line up of the weekend, log on to the festival website at www.mscountryfest.com.
