By DOUG DONNELLY
Advance Editor
The Blissfield River Raisin Festival hits the village this week with a carnival, entertainment, the annual Miss River Raisin Scholarship competition, fireworks, and a new Hot Dog eating contest on Saturday afternoon.
The festival opens Thursday and continues through Saturday night in Ellis and Bachmayer parks along the River Raisin in Blissfield.
New to the Thursday night lineup is Open Mic Night, planned on the Pavilion Stage in Bachmayer Park starting at 5 p.m. Depending on the number of entries, this event could last until 9 p.m. According to festival officials, the event is designed to give local people a chance to entertain the community with talents in bands, combos and solo acts ranging from vocals, instrumentals, comedy, story-telling, dance, twirling and more. Entry is free. As a bonus, entertainers will be considered for a potential spot in next year’s festival entertainment lineup.
Kicking off the show will be Dawson Carney at 5 p.m. singing and playing country folk music on guitar.
Elliott’s Amusements Carnival also opens Thursday on the Ellis Park side of the river with Kelly’s Inflatables on the west side.
The festival will be filled with free entertainment, carnival, kids’ corner, inflatables, softball, concessions, a free children’s train and a new hot dog-eating contest Saturday afternoon.
Here’s some highlights of the schedule:
Thursday, July 9
5 p.m. – Open Mic Night at the Pavilion Stage; Kids’ Corner with Kelly’s Inflatables; Blissfield Car and Bike Show
6 – 8 p.m. – Second Annual Jeep Show, Baseball Diamond
Friday, July 10
All-Day – Elliots Amusements Carnival, River Raisin Market Place & Crafts, Kelly’s Inflatables, Concessions, Merchant Vendors, and more.
6 p.m. – 31st annual Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program, Pavilion Stage
6 p.m. – Lightning Quick Gas N’ Go Softball Tournament. Continues Saturday.
9 – 11 p.m. – The KBB Band at the Pavilion Stage
After Dark – Friday Night Fireworks Show
Kids’ Corner (Near Bridge, Bachmeyer Park)
6 p.m. – Character Meet & Greet
7 p.m. – Karaoke & Bubble Party
8 p.m. – Fireworks Art Project
9 p.m. – Fireworks Prep
Saturday, July 11
All-Day – Elliot’s Amusements Carnival, River Raisin Market Place & Crafts, Kelly’s Inflatables, Concessions, Merchant Vendors, and more.
All-Day – 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, on Lane Street Downtown
All-Day – Lightning Quick Gas N’ Go Softball Tournament
10:30 a.m. – River Raisin Festival Parade
1 p.m. – Kids’ Corner (near Bridge, Bachmeyer Park): includes character meet and greet starting at 1 p.m. and other activities.
1:30 p.m. – Hot Dog Eating Contest, Bachmeyer Park
2 – 5 p.m. – Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pulls, Ricker Pavilion
2 p.m. – Metro Soul Band, Pavilion Stage
4 p.m. – Weenie Dog Race, Bachmeyer Park
6 – 9 p.m. – Stealin’ Copper Band, Pavilion Stage
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