Most of the June 26-28 festival will move to Newcomerstown High School because of downtown street work, with R.A. Dickey headlining this year’s event
Denton True “Cy” Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. Born in Gilmore, Ohio, he worked on his family’s farm as a youth before starting his professional baseball career.Charles M. Conlon
Teri SteinTeriSteinCorrespondent
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Due to work being done on the streets throughout downtown Newcomerstown, the Cy Young Days Festival will move most of its events to Newcomerstown High School for the annual event June 26-28. The only exception is the Hero Hustle 5K Run which will be held at Cy Young Park June 27. The addition of carnival rides this year will require more space and they’ll be more food vendors too.
The visiting major league pitcher this year is R.A. Dickey, a 2012 Cy Young Award winner, who was a member of the New York Mets when he won. Dickey later played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Atlanta Braves.
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The visiting major league pitcher this year is R.A. Dickey, a 2012 Cy Young Award winner, who was a member of the New York Mets when he won. Dickey later played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Atlanta Braves.File
“He’s the only knuckleballer to ever win the Cy Young award,” Ed Gibson, president of the festival committee, said.
No other pitcher relying primarily on the knuckleball received the award. Two Cy Young Awards have been given each year since 1967 to major league pitchers, one for the National League and one for the American League.
Dickey will be the guest of honor at the festival’s annual luncheon which is held at Newcomerstown High School. Cost of the luncheon is $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Visitcyyoungdaysfestival.comfor reservation information. The lunch will be catered by Shumaker Farms.
Five full size genuine Louisville Sluggers wooden bats, autographed by Dickey, will be auctioned at the lunch. Small wooden bats are available for $15. Cy Young T-shirts will also be available.
Dickey, as the guest of honor, will learn more about the person behind the Cy Young Award.
"We will definitely be taking the ball player out to the grave site and giving a little history about Cy Young," Gibson said.
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Young is buried in Peoli.
"There's usually quarters on his grave site, and I give the ballplayers the story of why the quarters are there,” Gibson said. “It’s because Cy Young was a member of our local Moose and Elks, and when he would come in for draft beers, they were 25 cents."
In addition to carnival rides for the children and teens, the festival is adding a new pickle eating contest. The contest will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday; registration begins at 7 p.m.
Entertainment on Friday evening is Fender Bender, a classic rock and roll group, and Saturday country artist Simba Jordan will perform. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. In case of rain, the shows will move to Newcomerstown Middle School.
The Cy Young Days Festival committee is grateful for the help provided by NHS teams including girls basketball, golf and others.
Gibson encourages those interested in baseball to get involved with the festival committee. There are benefits.
“It’s one of the best things that happened to me. This year will make the 40th major league ball player that I've got to meet,” Gibson said. “That would have never happened without this festival.”
The committee welcomes volunteers and members from outside Newcomerstown as well. Sponsorship opportunities also remain available.
June 26 – 5 p.m. Mayor opens festival and introduction of festival royalty on main stage, 5 p.m. Cornhole Tournament at Newcomerstown High School Lee Fieldhouse (registration at 4 p.m.,) 5:30 p.m. Chris Hart portrays Cy Young at main stage, 6:30 New Towne Cloggers on Main Stage, 8 p.m. Fender Bender on main stage, and 10 p.m. festival closes.
The Heroes Hustle 5K starts with an uphill climb at Cy Young Park in Newcomerstown.Teri Stein
June 27 – 9 a.m. Hero Hustle 5K color run/walk at Cy Young Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sports Card Show at NHS, 12 p.m. rides, tents, concessions open, 12:30 luncheon and bat auction at NHS (doors open at 11:30 a.m.,) 1 p.m. Cedar Valley Cloggers, 2:30 p.m. singer Teddy Snyder at main stage, 3:30 p.m. Kids of the Kingdom dance studio at main stage, 4:30 p.m. Brothers singing group at main stage, 6 p.m. parade, 6:30-8:30 balloon twisting near kids tent, 7 p.m. R.A. Dickey autograph signing at NHS, 7:30 p.m. pickle eating contest (registration at 7 p.m.,) 8 p.m. singer Simba Jordan on the main stage, and 10 p.m. festival closes.
June 28 – 9-10 a.m. Faith on the Field a church service hosted by Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Newcomerstown High School Football field, 10 a.m. Ron Porcher Vintage Baseball Game at NHS baseball field, 12 p.m. rides, tents, concessions open, 1 p.m. talent show on the main stage, 3 p.m. pet show at main stage, 3-5 p.m. car show at NHS parking lot (1-3 p.m. car show registration,) 5 p.m. festival closes.
