By R. DAVID MCLAUGHLIN
Correspondent
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LIGONIER — There will be “s’more” than marshmallows at this year’s Ligonier Marshmallow Festival this weekend.
Fireworks, a car show, bike rodeo, talent show, grand parade and music, food, games, magic shows and rides are all on the slate of weekend activities.
New attractions will include the Subway Eating Contest and a corn hole tournament.
What won’t be happening is a contest for the title of Miss Marshmallow Queen. Only one person entered.
She will be crowned at 6 tonight at Kenney Park in an abbreviated awards ceremony.
The traditional marshmallow roast, games and fireworks display will kick off the festival at 6 p.m. Friday at Kenney Park. There will also be comedy, juggling and the magic of Sweetcakes Entertainment starting at 6.
The rest of the weekend is as follows:
All weekend
• Bingo, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 8 a.m. until the close of the festival Monday, American Legion Post 243, 100 S. Main St.
• Rides and games. Tickets can be purchased in advance at local banks and at City Hall.
• Official festival T-shirts with the downtown train mural on them will be sold.
Saturday
• Classic car show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the corner of West Union and Main Street. There is a $10 entry fee per vehicle.
• Marshmallow Games, 9 a.m., library lawn, for children ages 3 to 12.
• Pedal Pull registration, 10:30 a.m., Third and Main streets. Raceers: ages 3 to 4, 5 to 6, teens and adult. Pullers: ages 7 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12. Competition will begin at noon at Fourth and Main streets.
• Opening ceremony, 11:30 a.m., Main Stage.
• Marshmallow Bake-Off, noon, Ligonier Fire Station. All entries must be at the station by 11:30 a.m.
• Bluegrass and gospel music from Mr. Bojangles & C.W., the Rambling Hobos, 12:30 p.m., Gazebo Park.
• 10-round euchre tournament for card players 55 and older, 2 p.m., Avalon Village.
• Car show awards, 3 p.m., DJ stand.
• Bike rodeo, 3 p.m., LigonierElementary School
• Music with The Fords, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Main Street Stage; Final Notice, 8 to 10:30 p.m., Main Street Stage.
• “Blue Light Parade,” 10 p.m. The lineup for the parade will be at 9:15 p.m. in Kenney Park. Winding through Ligonier, the parade will feature firefighters and family members in fire department vehicles alongside firefighters’ personal vehicles. Prizes will be presented after the parade.
Sunday
• Worship service, 10:30 a.m., Main Street Stage, sponsored by Ligonier United Methodist Church
• Subway Eating Contest, registration from 11a.m. to noon; contest, 1 p.m., Gazebo Park. The sponsor is Subway. Contact the Festival Information Tent for details.
• The Parsons (Christian music), noon to 1 p.m., Main Street Stage..
• Sweetcakes Entertainment and other childrens’ entertainment will again be offered at the library.
• A corn hole tournament, 2 p.m., north of the library on Thirds Street, sponsored by the Ligonier Lions Club. Registration will start at 1 p.m. The cost is $35 for each two-person team.
• Mr. Bojangles & C.W., the Rambling Hobos (bluegrass and gospel music), 2:30 p.m., Gazebo Park.
From 4-6 p.m., the Country and Christian music of Kate Jordan & Soul Venture will grace the Main Street Stage.
• Kate Jordan & Soul Venture (country and Christian music), 6 to 7:30 p.m., Main Street State, along with Mexican dancers. Following the dancers from 8 to 10 p.m., the Country Music of Shakin Bake will conclude the evening.
Monday
• Pancake breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m., Gazebo Park, sponsored by the Ligonier Lions. This is an early riser bargain at $2 per person.
• Talent show, 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Main Street State, open to all local residents.
• Chicken barbecue, noon, Gazebo Park, sponsored by Ligonier Rotary.
• Kiddie and Grand Parade lineup, noon, Grand and Second street. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday. Contact Lisa Hartsough at (260) 564-4706. At 2 p.m., the Kiddie and Grand Parade will march on Main Street.
• Inclognito Cloggers, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., Main Street Stage, finishing before the Grand Parade begins at 2 p.m.
There are no pets, bicycles, roller blades, roller skates, or skateboards allowed in festival areas.
