Darrtown hosts Fall Festival

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DARRTOWN — The third annual Darrtown Fall Festival went off without a hitch last weekend.

Held Saturday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 10, the event featured fun for the whole family and provided an opportunity for old friends to meet up and see each other.

According to Darrtown Reunion Committee member Fred Lindley, the festival was conceived after the conclusion of the Darrtown Bicentennial, held in 2014.

“Many people who attended the bicentennial asked if the community get-together could occur on an annual basis. The Bicentennial Committee evolved into the Darrtown Reunion Committee and the Fall Festival was born,” he said.

“The Reunion Committee seeks and greatly appreciates contributions from many people, businesses, and organizations. Those who donated money, products, and services this year are listed on the ‘Donors’ and ‘Sponsors’ pages on our website.”

The festival kicked off with a ‘Tombstone Trail’ on Saturday. This was a health walk from the village square to the Darrtown cemetery and back. Lindley added, “The walk was co-sponsored by the Reunion Committee and the Oxford Area Coalition for a Healthier Community.”

After the walk, the Talawanda High School band performed in the village square and joined the annual parade as it passed the center of town.

“The parade, which was larger than ever, was headed by Parade Grand Marshal Master Sergeant Charles W. Hansel and included classic cars, antique tractors, fire engines, and the Myron Bowling horse-drawn wagon which annually appears in the Cincinnati Reds opening day ‘Findlay Street Market’ parade,” Lindley said.

“After the parade, activities moved from the center of town to E-Dot Park on West Street. Visitors entered the park through a ‘Welcome Center’ tent, where memorabilia could be purchased and they could ring the ‘donation’ bell, if they chose to donate. No admission fee is charged at the Darrtown Fall Festival.” Lindley added.

According to Lindley, other festival highlights included, “Great music via a great sound system that enhanced the appearance of nationally recognized country music entertainer Ryan Broshear, plus other area bands. There was an antique tractor show was held on Saturday, with 35 tractors on display and a classic car show, with nearly two dozen entries, was held on Sunday. Trophies were awarded in both events.”

During the two day festival, there was also a German Beer Garden in the Lutheran Church tent, a cornhole tournament, skillet toss, pancake breakfast, church service, kids obstacle course, men’s tractor tire flip, award ceremony, and a talent show.

One special moment came on Sunday following the award ceremony. There was a Community Service Award presented to Betsy Leugers for her late husband, George “Yatz” Leugers.

Don Beckett, member of Darrtown Reunion Committee, presented the award to Leugers.

“We have a distinguished award to give to the fellow who helped us for the last four or five years who is not with us today. He let us store equipment in his building, we had meetings there, he fried fish, and everything else,” Beckett said. “His name was George “Yatz” Leugers and today we are presenting his wife with a distinguished award. This is on behalf of all the committee and all the people who have worked on this.”

After being handed the award, Leugers responded, “Thank you go the community of Darrtown for this award. Yatz loved Darrtown. He loved the community. He was like the patrolling sheriff — he wanted to make sure that the park was safe for all of the kids and he loved all of the people in Darrtown. This means an awful lot to me.”

Lindley said this year’s festival was a complete success.

“The weather was absolutely fabulous, which added to the enjoyment of the event,” he said. “There were multiple things to see and do all of which created an atmosphere of fun, fellowship, and family. An observer could see that all weekend long, people were meeting old friends and making new ones!”

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During the festival, a Community Service Award was presented to Mrs. Betsy Leugers for her late husband George “Yatz” Leugers’ contributions to the community of Darrtown.
http://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2017/09/web1_1Fall3-1.jpgDuring the festival, a Community Service Award was presented to Mrs. Betsy Leugers for her late husband George “Yatz” Leugers’ contributions to the community of Darrtown.

The third annual Darrtown Fall festival was held last weekend. The two day event featured fun for the whole family – from a kids’ area to contests to a beer garden for adults. The event ended with a talent show.
http://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2017/09/web1_1Fall4-1.jpgThe third annual Darrtown Fall festival was held last weekend. The two day event featured fun for the whole family – from a kids’ area to contests to a beer garden for adults. The event ended with a talent show.

http://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2017/09/web1_1Fall5-1.jpg

By Kelsey Kimbler

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Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH

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