Mary Alice Reporting –
An annual tradition in the City of New Philadelphia returns for the Independence holiday weekend.
First Town Days kicks off Thursday for family day with select midway food and a petting zoo opening at 7:30am, followed by an 8:00 start for the fishing derby, and all vendors opening at noon.
Festival President Joe Croft says the entire weekend is family friendly.
“One of our coordinators, Mark Davis, described it recently like apple pie, its hometown, its small town America, and I think family day represents that as well as anything. We’ve got frog jumping, we’ve got turtle races, parent-child sack races. Just a lot of things going on that day.”
This year’s commemorative plate will honor the New Philadelphia Quaker Marching Alumni Band, who will lead Friday’s grand parade, starting at 6:30pm.
“That should just be great to see all those people coming back that have marched in that band before. It also commemorates the parade itself.”
Saturday festivities include city versus county softball games, a 5k walk/run, a pie eating contest, a best in area cheeseburger contest, and it wall wraps up with the 10pm fireworks display.
“Put on by the City of New Philadelphia, should be another great one just get there early [and] grab a parking spot because parking is limited when we get into the evening on Saturday.”
First Town Days will close after a full day on Sunday, with a scheduled talent show, car show, and whiffle ball tournament.
A full schedule of events, with times and registration details, can be found at www.firsttowndays.com.
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