Middlefield – This Saturday, July 27 promises to be a full day of pure fun with more than 100 local businesses, organizations and individuals taking part. It all begins early with the Amish Buggy Classic 5K Race. An Amish-driven buggy actually leads the 100 plus runners at the starting line.
At 11 a.m. the entertainment begins with “The PopTarts” performing a decade of top hit favorites from the best of the 60s girl groups and female pop singers. The parking lots of Great Lakes Outdoor Supply and the Middlefield Fire Department (just north of the main light in Middlefield) will be jam-packed with bounce houses, barrel train rides, a dunk tank as well as local food vendors and businesses who will sell and display goods and services.
At 1 p.m., more than 70 area businesses and civic groups will parade from the south into downtown and up through the Summer Fest entertainment area. This year the Grand Parade Marshal is Roy Rogers Jr. (better known as Dusty). Dusty has history in the Middlefield area. His father, Roy Rogers knew the White Brothers who owned and operated the largest grocery store in Geauga County. The brothers built a new facility in Middlefield in the late 60s, which is now the building occupied by Great Lakes Outdoor Supply. Roy Jr. came to the Grand Opening and while he was here, began dating a local girl, Linda Yoder and ended up marrying her. They stayed in the area a few years but then returned to Apple Valley, Calif. where his parents Roy and Dale (Evans) Rogers resided. He is very involved in running his father’s business and museum and also has a cowboy band. Linda Rogers is sister-in-law to Middlefield Mayor Ben Garlich and both families plan to reunite early in the week and then enjoy the weekend at Middlefield Summer Fest. Roy Jr. will perform the National Anthem immediately following the parade.
Later, Raelynn DeBevits, a local country singer will perform and then emcee for the performances of the five finalists of the Middlefield Has Talent Too contest. A cornhole tournament will commence at 3 p.m. All afternoon there will be fun family activities like balloon animals, a BMX Show, Mark’s Magic Show and Rocket Car rides. Many bands of different styles will play on throughout the afternoon and into the evening. A softball tournament sponsored by the Middlefield Chamber of Commerce will take place through out the day at various Middlefield Village parks. The grand finale of Middlefield Summer Fest will be the fireworks, launching at 9:45 p.m.
Visit www.middlefieldohio.com for more information.
Middlefield Summer Fest Schedule
8 a.m. – Registration for the 5K race (Grove Street Pavilion)
11a.m. – Musical entertainment by The Pop Tarts, food vendors and bounce houses open for the day.
1 p.m. – Parade (beginning at Third Dimension and travel north on Old State Road to the Middlefield Municipal Building) – following the parade, the Grand Parade Marshal, Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr. will sing the National Anthem.
2 – 3 p.m. – Musical entertainment by Raelynn Debevits. She will then emcee for the performances of the five finalists of the Middlefield Has Talent contest. There will also be barrel train rides by The Trumbull County Antique Tractor Club.
3 p.m. – Cornhole Tournament
3 – 4 p.m. – Mark’s Magic Show
3 – 6 p.m. – Fundraiser at Dunk Tank for “Shop With A Cop”
3 – 5 p.m.– Rocket Car Rides
4 p.m. – BMX Show by Dialed Action Sports Team, Balloon animals
5 – 7 p.m. – Classic rock music by the band Alter Ego
7:30 – 9:45 p.m. – Music by the band The Round to Its featuring Cardinal High School teacher, Candi Peters
9:45 p.m. – Fireworks
*Note – Middlefield Summer Fest is a combined event of The Taste of Middlefield sponsored by the Middlefield Chamber of Commerce and Community Days.
