Celebrate Shreve and nature at annual Swampfest

Editor's note: The print version of this story in the Holmes Bargain Hunter had an incorrect prize amount for the Friday cash raffle drawing. The story has been changed to reflect that.

It’s all about celebrating nature and the community when Swampfest kicks off Thursday, June 13 in Shreve.

The three-day event will feature a band each evening, car show, raffle drawings, inflatables for children, food and vendors.

The street festival will end in a new location. This year’s fireworks will be set off Saturday, June 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Piper Field, 4165 Force Road, Shreve.

Sponsored by Shreve Business and Community Association, Swampfest is named for the landmark Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. The marsh is a 5,500-acre wetland and home to Shreve’s annual Spring Migration Sensation, held annually in March.

While the marsh provides the theme, it’s the people that makes it happen.

“It’s kind of a yearly summer reunion for the community,” organizer Amy Duda said.

People who haven’t seen each other for a year have a chance to meet at the street festival. It’s a social event.

Individuals and businesses that provide financial support also make Swampfest possible, along with a team of volunteers, organizer Jeanne Wachtel said.

Included among the activities during the festival will be a presentation on The History of the Teddy Bear on Saturday, June 15 from 1-2 p.m. at the Shreve Presbyterian Church, 343 N. Market St. The event is sponsored by the County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes.

The speaker is Cherie Graham of Dalton, who will have displays of Ideal and Steiff bears. The event is free, and parking is available across from the church.

The free festival will open Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Evening concerts will begin at 7 p.m. Rich Bellanco will be on stage on Thursday, Hard Hat Band on Friday and Jeff Stauffer Band on Saturday.

Raffle winners will be announced each evening at 8:30 p.m. Raffle themes are Thursday, wine and dine; Friday, Milwaukee cordless power tool package; and Saturday, Blackstone grill package. A cash raffle also is planned for Friday. The winner will take home $1,000 if present or $500 if not present. The Shreve Fireman’s 50/50 drawing will be held Friday at 8 p.m.