Final preparations are under way as the Elmore Historical Society readies for its 32nd annual Portage River Festival to be held June 26 at Depot Park in the Village of Elmore.

Portage River Festival festivities will kick off early Friday morning with community-wide garage sales. At least 60 garage sales will be held in the village and surrounding area. The sales, which will run through Sunday, will feature a variety of household items and antiques. Residents interested in having their address on the garage sale list and map may call 419-304-7153 or 419-862-3029.

Red, White & Boom
Elmore will celebrate our nation’s independence early with the annual “Red, White and Boom” festivities and fireworks Saturday, June 25. The Elmore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event.

Once again, classic and muscle cars will be on display at this year's Portage River Fest

The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a chicken barbecue at Woodmore High School, 633 Fremont St. The dinner, which will include chicken, baked beans, baked potato, rolls, dessert and beverage, is $8 for adults and $6 for students. Drive-through service will be available.

Entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. Slated to perform at Well Park are vocalist Kendra German and local band “Elmore Fudd.” Those attending should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

The Woodmore Athletic Boosters will have a beer tent and will be selling their famous “Friday Night Fries,” as well as brats and burgers

Fireworks will light the sky above Woodmore High School at dusk.

Immediately before the fireworks, there will be a drawing for the annual Chamber of Commerce raffle, featuring such prizes as $300 toward a bike at Elmore Cycle and Fitness, a cooler filled with donations from various businesses and organizations and $50 in cash. Raffle tickets are available in advance at local businesses and will also be sold at the event. Proceeds from the barbecue and the raffle will help pay for the fireworks.

Festival fun
Several vendors are signed up to sell their wares at the festival’s annual flea market and craft show. To register for a vendor space call 419-377-0700.

Cash prizes totaling nearly $400 will be awarded in this year’s talent show, which will be emceed by Randy Velliquette. To register for the show, call him at 419-665-2761.

Once again, the annual “Redneck Lawn Mower Pulling Contest” will be back. Tim Erickson is the coordinator for the contest, which runs through most of Sunday. To register for the contest, contact him at 419-376-2639.

Classic and muscle cars will be on display at the annual “Charlie Schneider Memorial Car Show.” If you don't think you have a pick-up truck that looks good enough for the car show or your pick-up truck is downright ugly, don’t feel bad – just enter it in the second annual “Ugly Pick-up Truck Contest.” For information about either event, call 419-574-1559.

Runners interested in entering the Portage River 5K Run should contact Candy Longoria at 419-355-332. Registration is also available at the Elmore Cycle and Fitness Shop along the North Coast Inland Trail beginning at 8:30 a.m.

This year, the Elmore Historical Society is sponsoring a “Homemade Cupcake Contest.” Cupcakes and frosting must be homemade - not from pre-mixes- to enter the contest. Call 419-574-1559 for rules and details pertaining to the contest.

And what would a festival be without food? The historical society will be offering a menu of roast beef, homemade french fries, onion rings, baked beans, homemade pies, strawberries and ice cream, hot dogs, Coney dogs, sausage and beverages.

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