Plate auction and Bolivar Idol return to Strawberry Festival
Bob Smith, president of the Bolivar Main Street Association and owner of the Lebold-Smith Funeral Home, shows off this year’s collector plate. The first five numbered plates will be auctioned on Friday, June 9 at 7 p.m. in the brew tent.
The second in a series of numbered commemorative plates will be auctioned at the Bolivar Strawberry Festival June 8-10. The plates are designed to honor landmarks and milestones from the Bolivar area. Sales serve as a fundraiser for the Bolivar Main Street Association, the volunteer organization that sponsors the festival and other events throughout the year.
Bob Smith, president of the BMSA, said this year’s plate features the soon-to-be-closed Tusky Valley High School. Last year the plate included a photo of the Bolivar Intermediate School, which also will close to students this year.
“In addition to the high school photo, artists at Klingstedt Printing added some background graphics,” Smith said. “Then on the back of the plate, we listed all the superintendents for Tusky Valley, giving a little history with it. I’m really happy with the way it turned out this year.”
Only five numbered and gold-trimmed plates from the limited collection will be auctioned on June 9 at 7 p.m. in the brew tent. The remainder of the plates can be preordered for $25 each.
“I think anybody that went to Tusky Valley would like to have one, and they make great gifts,” Smith said.
Future plates will feature the new Tusky Valley High School in 2024 and Bolivar’s 200th anniversary in 2025.
Last year’s plate auction raised $4,200. Garry Sears, owner of Eleet Cryogenics in Bolivar, snagged the No. 1 plate. Proceeds from that sale and from all plate sales go to support BMSA’s ongoing renovations of the Santa House, which previously upgraded the electrical system and this year will focus on replacing the deck.
Bolivar Idol
The Bolivar Idol singing competition will be held Friday, June 9 in the south tent beginning at 4 p.m. Sponsored by the band Slick31, the karaoke-type contest will be run by disc jockey Dan Sabia of Get Down Sound and judged by a panel of people with musical experience.
“Folks can register the day of the competition, but they can also preregister now online,” said Rebecca Hubble, contest organizer.
Winners of first, second and third place will receive prize packages that include gift cards from a number of area restaurants and businesses. In addition, the first-place winner will have the opportunity to perform with Slick31 on Saturday, June 10 at 3 p.m. in the brew tent.
To preregister, visit www.villageofbolivar.com and see the pull-down menu at the top for Main Street.
Something for everyone
This year’s festival will offer a number of activities and attractions, from rides and music to crafts and food.
McGinnis Amusements will again provide carnival games and rides including the spinning strawberry ride. Food will run the gamut from burgers, hot dogs and Philly cheese steaks to French fries, cream-chicken sandwiches, homemade ice cream, and ravioli and meatballs.
There will be plenty of strawberries to eat or take home, whether they are deep fried or by the quart. Those with a huge appetite for the berries can participate in the annual strawberry-eating contest on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Vendors with handcrafted goods will line Canal Street, a new queen and new princesses will be crowned, and Realm of the Reptile will be back with a hands-on experience.
Music of all sorts will fill the brew tent every evening, with the Liverpool Lads Beatles tribute band, Chris Higbee and the New Delhi Monkeymen headlining each night. On Saturday at 4 p.m., the sound of sirens will fill the air during the Firemen’s Parade.
A flyer listing all events and times is available on the Bolivar Main Street Association Facebook page. Festival hours are Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9 from 4-11 p.m. and Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.