By Sarah Lang
Staff writer
Advance — Advance Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual Labor Day Festival this Sunday and Monday in downtown Advance.
A new addition to the event line-up is a performance by John Stevens at 3 p.m. Monday.
“He’s just wonderful,” said Wendy McMann, festival chairwoman. “I just threw it out there one night when he was playing and asked, ‘Will you come to Advance and play for us?’ And he said, ‘Sure, when?’”
Some of the times of regular events have been changed this year to give them more time. For example, McMann said Sunday’s Bingo always ended up running into the street dance, so it was moved an hour earlier.
The parade will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Last year, McMann said there were 130 entries, and she hopes to have that many — or more — this year.
“There is no restriction of who can be in it, so everyone is welcome,” she said.
To enter the parade, it’s preferable to let her know ahead of time. But if not, she said to be at the co-op on the south end of town by 10 a.m. Monday.
McMann said there are a lot of nice items for sale at the auction, which starts at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Sunday afternoon will be the contest judging for the baby boy and girl, little king and queen, prince and princess, and teen king and queen contests. All children and teens participating must live in either Jefferson or Jackson townships, McMann said. Babies are newborns to 2 years; little king and queen, ages 3 to 7; prince and princess, ages 8 to 12; and teens, ages 13 to 18.
The festival usually brings in a lot of people from out of town, McMann said.
“It’s just a smal town festival that draws a little from everywhere,” she said.
