New events bring big energy to Swampfest 2025

New events at this year’s Shreve Swampfest Thursday through Saturday, June 19-21 are all about the long and short of it.

There will be wiener dog races on Saturday at 1 p.m., and men can show off those locks, or lack of them, at a hair contest on opening day at 8 p.m.

Prizes for the wiener dog races will be given for the longest, shortest and best-dressed weiner dog, along with the three fastest dogs. Race categories are Weenie Sprouts, puppies up to 1 year old; Speedy Franks, 1-3 years old; Sassy Sausage, 3-5 years old; Barkin Brats, 5-8 years old; and Old Schnitz, 8 years and older.

The registration fee is $20 and can be paid in advance through a link on the Shreve Swampfest Facebook page or at Swampfest starting at noon on Saturday.

Christy Firebaugh, a new member of the Swampfest Planning Committee and a licensed cosmetologist at Village Hairworks, created the Best Hair Contest. Firebaugh will be joined by other stylists at the Shreve salon to judge the contest and award prizes for the smoothest bald head, the best-kept and styled beard, and the best-kept and styled mullet.

Organizers also have added an all-terrain and utility-task vehicle show to Friday’s schedule, along with the annual car show on Saturday.

Registration for the Friday ATV/UTV show, which will run from 6:30-10 p.m., is $15. Up for grabs are prizes for Best of Show, Best in Class, Best Cage, Best Stereo and Best Lighting.

“I like all the new events that have been added this year,” Swampfest committee member Jeannie Wachtel said.

New committee members brought fresh ideas.

Wachtel also said the Swampfest name is a nod to the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, a 5,703-acre state wildlife area located 2 miles east of Shreve.

“We’re embracing our natural resources around us,” Wachtel said.

On Saturday, Ohio Department of Natural Resources wildlife officer Aaron Brown will be present to provide information and answer questions for festival-goers.

Swampfest is a free event.

“It’s a great family time and a great time to see friends,” committee member D.J. Peterman said. “It brings the community together.”

As chair of the Swampfest Car Show, Kylee Taylor said she tries to make a personal connection with all the exhibitors.

“One of my favorite parts is hearing how they acquired the cars,” Taylor said. “Some of them have some sweet stories.”

It’s also fun, she said, “to see all the little kids see all the really cool cars.”

Trophies will be awarded to the top three winners in each class.

Swampfest will open Thursday with the raising of the American flag by the American Legion Post and the presentation of the Citizen of the Year award.

Other activities include nightly onstage entertainment and drawings, a kiddie tractor pull on Friday at 7 p.m., goldfish racing and a frog jumping contest on Saturday at 3 p.m., and bingo from 5-8 p.m. on Friday and 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Saturday. Festival organizers also have lined up inflatables — a slide, two bounce houses with slides and an obstacle course. The cost is $10 per day per person.

Food trucks, the merchant tent and bounce houses will open Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Each day of the festival, raffle drawings are slated for 8:30 p.m. and stage entertainment at 7 p.m.

Capping off Swampfest will be the Shreve Community and Business Association drawing. The winner will take home $1,000 if present and $500 if not present. Fireworks will follow at Piper Field.