Tusky Days Festival brings family fun to Tuscarawas

The Tusky Days Festival is “ready to go” according to Tom Cole, festival president, and so are festivalgoers who enjoy the event. The festival will be held June 18-20 on School Street in Tuscarawas.

Organizers will have a few larger rides this year, along with smaller rides and inflatables for children.

"There's going to be a total, I believe, of 12 or 13 rides,” Cole said. "We have the same ride company as we had last year, but we have three bigger rides for the teens. So, there's something for the whole family there this year.”

Pre-sale ride wristband tickets are already on sale at the discounted price of $15. During the event they are $20. Visit the Tusky Days Festival page on Facebook for information.

Free golf cart rides to and from your car or home to the festival will again be available thanks to Willandale Golf Cart Sales. A phone number to call will be posted on the Facebook page during the event.

The commemorative paddle will feature a banner proclaiming 1776-2026, 250 years of celebration, and feature members of each branch of the military. The paddles will be auctioned Friday night at 7 p.m. with Bob Hall of Cronebaugh Auctions serving as auctioneer. The paddles were made by the Indian Valley High School wood working class.

A tradition of great music continues. The New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band performs at 6 p.m. Thursday followed by The NEXT at 7 p.m. On Friday, Tequila Mary performs at 6 p.m. with AlterNation performing at 8 p.m. Saturday visitors can enjoy the Tuscarawas River Band at 2 p.m., the Kodachrome Babies at 5 p.m., and Hair Nation at 8 p.m.

Registration for the talent show begins at noon June 20 and it’s open to anyone of any age. Hitchcock Sound will provide their stage and equipment for the event.

"We're looking for any family-friendly talent that you wish to perform,” Marc Davis, talent show host, said. “We've had singers and dancers and instrumentalists. We're always open to new talent.”

Each talent show participant will receive a door prize. The top participant wins $100, second place is $75, and third wins $50.

Participants can make up an untrue fun fact, for example they have eight Grammy awards, that is used to introduce them.

“We give them the opportunity to make up something creative in their introductions, and that adds something different,” Davis said.

The Vision of Hope 4-H Club will host their annual 5K run/walk and one-mile walk/run June 19. Registration is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Tuscarawas-Warwick Volunteer Fire Department in Tuscarawas. Entry fee is $20 per person.

The Tusky Days Festival Car & Bike Show will be on east side of the festival on School Street June 20. The registration is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and the fee is $10. Awards will be presented at 8 p.m. including awards for motorcycles. The show, hosted by Kustom Kemps, is open to any type of vehicle. Spikeman will provide music.

Festival organizers are Cole, president; Darla Carlisle, vice president; Jamie Carlisle, secretary; and Katie Cookson, treasurer; along with volunteers Marc Davis, Matt Ritenour and Dorsey Davidson.

Volunteers are needed to help during the festival; they can respond on Facebook or check in at the festival office during the event.

“We need volunteers to drive golf carts, help pick up trash. There are all kinds of stuff that pops up that we need volunteers for,” Cole said.

June 18 — 4 p.m. midway opens, 5 p.m. mayor’s welcome, 6 p.m. New Philadelphia Steel Drum Band, 7 p.m. The NEXT and 10 p.m. midway closes.

June 19 — 4 p.m. midway opens, 4 p.m. 5K registration at Warwick Township Fire Station (6 p.m. one-mile walk/run, 6:30 p.m. 5K run/walk), 6 p.m. Tequila Mary, 7:30 p.m. paddle auction, 8 p.m. AlterNation and 11 p.m. midway closes.

June 20 — noon midway opens, noon talent show registration, 12:30 p.m. talent show, 2 p.m. Tuscarawas River Band, 3 p.m. car show, 5 p.m. Kodachrome Babies, 8 p.m. Hair Nation and 11 p.m. midway closes.