Annual Tusky Days Festival set for June 20-22

This year’s lineup of entertainment at the annual Tusky Days Festival on School Street will kick off with the New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band on Thursday and Putnam’s System Rewind providing the evening entertainment.

“This is the first year for Putnam System Rewind. They are a great local group that we’ve tried having before, but they’ve never been available during the festival. We’re excited to have them,” said Joe Krocker, a member of the festival committee.

The festival committee is thankful to stage sponsors Kimble, Smith Ambulance, Tuscarawas VFW Post 7943, Durbin Farms and Olde Towne Tavern for their support in continuing the tradition of music at the festival.

A local band, the Tuscarawas River Band, is scheduled to play on Friday evening.

Local Jeff Shamel will perform on Saturday afternoon.

“Jeff Shamel, who lives in town, will be doing his old-time country and rock music. We love how he interacts with the crowd because he knows just about everybody,” Krocker said.

The Kodachrome Babies will kick off the Saturday evening entertainment with the Lima, Ohio band, Fleetwood 2 the Max, a tribute band, closing out the festival.

Fleetwood 2 the Max is a group of performers who capture the sound and performance of Fleetwood Mac from 1975-87, the period that produced the band’s greatest success musically.

Amateur entertainers of all ages are welcome to take the stage on Saturday afternoon for the talent show. Marc Davis of New Philadelphia will serve as host. Prizes for the top three contestants are $100, $75 and $50. No preregistration is required. Participants will sign up from noon to 12:30 p.m. with the show starting at 12:30 p.m. All participants will be entered into a drawing for door prizes.

The New Towne Cloggers, in their first appearance at Tusky Days, will perform Saturday afternoon. Music by Spikeman will be featured at the car show.

Food includes Bang On BBQ, French fries, pizza and stromboli, kettle corn, Italian Stallion Pasta and More, DiRusso sausage, Gator Kitchen, Chuck Wagon, Goggies Hotdog and Cheese on a Stick, Mexican and more.

The collectible paddles, made by students at Indian Valley High School, will feature the Tuscarawas Village Hall. The structure started out as the Tuscarawas branch of the United Bank in 1969. The octagon building was designed by Lloyd Stewart of Mar-Knapp and Crawfis architects and built by Steele Construction Co. and Kohl Lumber and Supply. The branch opened April 24, 1969. The building also contained a room that could be rented, and many parties, showers, receptions and other special events were held there.

The book, “Paths to Progress,” written in 1976 by the late Frances Mathias, told of some of the people associated with the bank:

John M. Merriman was the first branch manager. William McCormick is president of United Bank. Tom Blind is the current branch manager.

Mrs. Philip (Jody) Meyers of Tuscarawas has been a teller since its organization. Mrs. Jerry (Beverly) Roth of Tuscarawas, a recent teller, was promoted to branch manager of the Uhrichsville drive-in branch.

Margaret Kopp of Tuscarawas is assistant cashier at United Bank of Uhrichsville while Mrs. Gary (Ginny) Brick and Mrs. Don (Louise) Reichman are tellers at the Tuscarawas branch. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Reidenbach are custodians.

The village of Tuscarawas purchased the building in July 2003 and moved into its new Village Hall in December 2003.

The memorabilia auction, with Bob Hall of Cronebaugh Auctions, will be held Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Due to the strict safety rules in Ohio, it is difficult to get larger rides. The committee is again working with Moovin’ and Groovin’ Productions, which last year provided inflatables and a few small mechanical rides for children. All-day passes will be $10.

Thanks to Willandale Golf Cart Sales, volunteers will provide transportation inside the village for festival-goers from their homes or cars. A phone number to call for a ride will be posted on the festival’s Facebook page during the event.

Volunteers still needed

“We’re always looking for people to help with the festival. It’s a big undertaking,” Krocker said.

The Tusky Days committee members are Matt Ritenour, Matt Hunter, Jennifer Mann, Wanda Krocker, Marc Davis, Dorsey Davisson and Joe Krocker.

Other sponsors of the festival include Kelley’s Heating & Cooling, Koch Funeral Home, Dover-Phila Credit Union, Dover Brake, Pasquinelli Tax & Accounting Services, the Village of Gnadenhutten, Warwick Lions Club, Progressive Foam, No. 9 Garage, McInturf Realty, Joe Krocker’s Computer Services, Lute’s Drive Thru, Village of Tuscarawas and employees, and First Federal Community Bank.

The 2024 festival schedule is as follows:

—Thursday, June 20: midway opens at 4 p.m., mayor’s presentation at 5 p.m., New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band from 6-7 p.m. and Putnam’s System Rewind from 8-11 p.m.

—Friday, June 21: midway opens at 4 p.m., registration for Vision of Hope 4-H Club run/walk at Warwick Fire Department at 5 p.m. with the 1-mile walk/run at 6 p.m. and the 5k run/walk at 6:30 p.m., Tequila Mary from 6-7:30 p.m., memorabilia auction at 7:30 p.m., and Tuscarawas River Band from 8-11 p.m.

—Saturday, June 22: midway opens at noon, registration for talent show from noon to 12:30 p.m., talent show from 12:30-2 p.m., Jeff Shamel from 2-4 p.m., Car/Bike/Truck Show with entertainment by Spikeman from 3-7 p.m. (3 p.m. registration $10 per vehicle and 6:30 p.m. awards presentation), The New Towne Cloggers from 4-5 p.m., Kodachrome Babies from 5-7 p.m. and Fleetwood 2 the Max from 8-11 p.m.