9-12-2021 6:24am

Fall Festival on Saturday: Kiddie Parade, wristbands on kids, and kids on stage

Michael McGinnis Editor

Abigail can fly like a butterfly in the colorful costume she wore for the Fall Festival Kiddie Parade, Saturday morning, Sept. 11.

Saturday was kid's day at the Roscoe Lions Fall Festival, beginning with the Kiddie Parade and Kids’ Day on The Midway, where dozens of children were seen wearing wristbands good for four hours on all rides. On the main stage, very cool musicians were seen with very small people dancing and even singing along with their songs.

Children up to age 10 wore their favorite costumes for a Saturday morning parade through Leland Park, led by Babs, the Midway Village Museum sock monkey. At the Main Stage, judges awarded special prizes to the top two boys and girls in two age groups: 1-5 years and 6-10 years. The four winners can participate in Sunday's Festival Parade down Main Street. Every child who participated received a free drink coupon and one free ride ticket.

Roscoe held the first Fall Festival in 1910 and the Kiddie Parade dates back to the 1950s.

Music from UTR featured Dan Tritten, Ben Medina, Kevin & Greg, plus Kenny Tindle. They often invited children to join them on stage, sometimes dancing, sometimes singing. Because of their brave sacrifices, the next generation should be less susceptible to stage fright.

At one point, Kelsey Schultz, the Kevin of Kevin & Greg, was belting out a slow, soulful number with a three-year-old girl on the other end of the stage, singing occasional words into Ben Medina's unused microphone. Kelsey had some trouble keeping a straight face, but afterwards the good-natured teen singer invited the audience to "give it up" for the little children who had been on stage with them, most of whom had stood very quietly, perhaps still a little susceptible to stage fright.

At another point, the good-natured Dan Tritten stopped his show to give play-by-play announcements for an inflatable sword fight between two little boys. He declared a winner, but joked that the real winners were the parents, because after all that activity, those little boys would be sleeping well that night.

One of Kevin & Greg's most memorable songs was a cover of the Eagles Hotel California. The music of Dan Tritten and Ben Medina included their original Save My Soul, the Bee Gee's Staying Alive, and Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle. And for his young friends, Baby Shark. As they concluded their version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising, they helpfully pointed out, as the song says, "there's a bathroom on the right." At least, that's what it sounds like the song is saying.

On the other end of Leland Park, the wait for rides became longer as young people lined up to go on as many rides as they could fit in. Normally each ride costs three, four, or five dollars, but the four-hour wristbands cost only $20. The rush for rides subsided after 4:00, when ticket prices went back to regular price.

New ride discounts will be available Sunday 12:00 -7:00 p.m.

At dusk, Minimal took the stage. These self-confessed Led Zeppelin fans used to be surprised when listeners called them a "dance band," but their versions of Shut Up and Dance with Me, Walk Like an Egyptian, and Happy proved how well the name fits. Poison Ivy Pub's Beer Tent area, marked off with orange fencing, was full during their performance.

Treats for Sunday:

Breakfast at Leland Park, hosted by Roscoe United Methodist Men, a fine breakfast of pancakes and sausages (all you can eat pancakes) is served to all who enjoy breakfast out. Come early and enjoy this community meal before the parade. The event has been a Fall Festival tradition for about 40 years.
Festival Parade: new route for 2021! The parade steps off from Bridge and Main Streets ending at Williams Street near Main Street Square, led by the Roscoe VFW color guard, a contingent of Lions members, marching bands, floats, and dignitaries. Thousands of spectators will be gathered along the parade route for this festival tradition. The parade will begin to line up at 10:00 a.m. at McDonald Road and Main Street, and Main Street will be closed at that time along the parade route.
Karaoke on the Main Stage by Johnny West & Friends, sponsored by the Roscoe VFW to benefit Vets Roll.
Carnival Discount Rides from noon to 7:00 p.m.
The OGMC will offer a new, fun, interactive music experience on (Main Stage) 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Heritage Enterprise Recognition awards, announced by the Roscoe Township Historical Society at 7:45 p.m. to honor three businesses who dedicated their work and lives to the improvement of our township.
Grand Prize Drawing (Main Stage) at 8:00 p.m. Cash prizes: Grand prize - $5,000, 2nd prize - $1,500, 3rd prize - $1,000, ten extra prizes of $50 each. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $20 across from the Attendance Tent - look for the signs.

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