Ninth Little Twist on Mineral Festival to benefit Save22

Proceeds from the ninth Little Twist on Mineral Festival on July 13 will benefit Save22, a local organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders receive mental healthcare.

The festival began as an effort to raise funds for the fire department after it was destroyed by a tornado on July 10, 2013.

The festival will include live entertainment, food trucks, raffles, an auction, a parade, a car show and fireworks.

New this year will be an appearance by members of the Ohio Army National Guard, who will bring two vehicles from the Dover Armory for a Touch-A-Truck experience and to participate in the parade.

“They will be bringing a Humvee and a bobtail armored semi,” said Nikki Moore, event chair. “Kids can climb up on them and see what it’s like to be in a military vehicle.”

Weather permitting, there also will be a flyover by a Chinook helicopter to start the parade at 5 p.m. Organizers said the public is welcome to participate in the parade with a group, a vehicle or a float by showing up at 4 p.m. for the lineup on Lindentree Road.

This year’s festival will include some new entertainers and vendors, as well as some returning crowd favorites. One of those favorites is the Three Bro’s and a Sis gourmet lemonade stand.

The owners are young people from Akron who mix up lemonade with flavors like blueberry, pineapple, black cherry and peach mango, along with straight-up lemonade. Moore said they give a lot of what they make back to the inner city Akron community.

Additional goodies this year include ice cream from Miller’s Creamery; coffees, mocktails and smoothies from Rolling Refreshments; and BangOn BBQ, which promises traditional American barbecue with an Irish flair.

For those whose appetites range to the more exotic, Gator Kitchen will serve alligator bits, frog legs, side dishes and Amish fry pies. The Mineral City Volunteer Fire Department also will serve concessions in the fire station.

The beer garden will be open for outdoor dining and entertainment. Live entertainment includes Eric Brooke from 1-4 p.m., magician Tim Angeloni throughout the afternoon and the Moonlyterz from 6-10 p.m.

Kelly Burwell is a member of the event committee who worked on bringing in sponsors and vendors for the festival. New to the festival is The Mod Chair Cosmetic Parlor. “She will be doing hair tinsel and temporary tattoos,” Burwell said. “Kids just love it.”

Raffles and auction

In addition to a 50/50 raffle, gift baskets will be raffled off throughout the day.

“We have some incredible items in the raffles this year,” Moore said. “We’ve got tickets to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Akron Rubber Ducks and Cleveland Monsters; tools; swim-themed baskets; and a back-to-school basket, just to name a few. We’ve even got an overnight stay at Landoll’s Mohican Castle, which is amazing.”

There will be two auction items this year, according to Moore: a hand-built 8-foot picnic table of solid wood and an Atwood Bistro package featuring a one-day boat rental.

Car show

Yesterday’s classics will again run the car show, with disc jockey Jim Kelly from WDNP spinning the tunes. All makes, models and years are welcome. Registration will take place from 2-4 p.m. with dash plaques going to the first 50 entrants. Registration is $10, and a number of awards are up for grabs.

More information

Festival organizers wish to thank the more than 50 sponsors of this year’s festival and recognize Platinum Sponsors Williams Energy Company and JMW.

The Little Twist on Mineral Festival will begin at 1 p.m. on July 13 and end with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Festival T-shirts can be ordered at https://www.fabulouslyflawlessnc.com/, with proceeds also benefiting Save22. Additional information is available on Facebook.