BROOKVILLE — The 72nd annual Brookville Community Picnic is scheduled July 27-29 in Golden Gate Park, located at 545 Upper Lewisburg-Salem Road.

The picnic, sponsored by the Brookville Chamber of Commerce, is free and will be held rain or shine.

Brookville Chamber of Commerce President Adam Blevins said this year’s event will have several new features this year.

Blevins said one of the highlights of this year’s event is the appearance of country singer and songwriter Justin Bryan, who will perform on stage on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

“He’s a local kid from the Preble County area, who is now living in Nashville, Tenn., ” Blevins said.

Since moving to Nashville, Bryan, of West Alexandria, has recorded an album, along with several other songs he has written.

Bryan is also a regular performer at the Tooties Orchid Lounge in Nashville.

According to savingplaces.org., Tootsies is known for being the venue that featured the up and coming country stars who appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage from 1960-1974.

“Justin coming to Brookville is pretty cool,” Blevins said, adding Bryan “really loves the area.”

“He really loves this area because he has a lot of family here,” Blevins said.

Another highlight is the garden tractor pull that is scheduled on Saturday at 3 p.m.

“We’ve never had a lawn tractor pull before. It seems like the event is going to be pretty popular,” Blevins said.

Another event that should prove to be popular and is making an appearance at the picnic is a cornhole tournament

“The tournament will be held on the tennis courts,” Blevins said.

Another popular event is the Brookville Kids Business Fair scheduled on Thursday from 5-8 p.m.

The event encourages kids to learn how to operate a business and earn money.

All kids need is a simple product to sell or a service to offer and a booth at the picnic.

Registration if free.

The event is hosted by the Dayton Chapter of DeMolay, a youth group for boys ages 12-21.

Blevins said the picnic will have a large amount of vendors.

“We are pretty maxed out on space with vendors, but we plan to squeeze in a couple more,” Blevins said.

The Praise in the Park event, sponsored by Dayton Declare, will kick off the picnic on the stage on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

According to the Declare website, Declare was formed in 2013 by several area worship leaders, whose goal is to “publicly declare the glory of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Friday evening’s events kick off at 6 p.m.with the National Anthem played by the Brookville High School Band.

The posting of the colors will also take place on Friday at 6 p.m. by AMVETS Post 1789 and VFW Post 3288.

The 32nd annual 5k run and walk, sponsored by the Brookville Baseball Club, will get events started at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Cost to participate in the 5k run and walk is $25. The one-mile fun run follows at 8:45 a.m.

The cost to participate in the fun run is $15. There is a sign-up fee for both events.

The deadline to register for the 5k run/walk or the fun run is July 28 at 8 a.m.

Packet pick-up is from 7-7:45 a.m. at the park.

The deadline to register for the 5k run/walk or the fun run is July 29 at 8 a.m.

Packet pick-up is from 7-7:45 a.m. at the park.

The 5k course will take place on country roads and city streets.

There will be one water stop.

The fun run course is within Golden Gate Park.

Results of the run will be posted at www.speedy-feet.com.

Breakfast will be served.

The following awards will take place:

• the top three male/female runners for the 5k run

• the top three in the following age groups: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and up

• ribbons for fun run participants and medals for the top three boys/girls

To register for the 5k run/walk or the fun run, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Brookville/SpeedyFeetPicnicRun and click on the sign up button.

The annual youth fishing derby will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Saturdy at the pond.

The Handivan baked goods auction will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Saturday’s entertainment kicks off with the Honey Creek Cloggers performing on the stage.

The band Wilder will take the stage on Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by Christian band JustUs at 4 p.m.

The rock ‘n’ roll band The Distance will continue Saturday’s entertainment with a performance at 6 p.m. on the stage.

The picnic will conclude with the annual fireworks display at 10 p.m.

The fireworks display is sponsored by AMVETS Post 1789, VFW Post 3288 and Joe Kubiak of Wolf Creek Farm and Market of Brookville.

Brookville Mayor Chuck Letner thanked the AMVETS, the VFW and Kubiak for providing the funds for the fireworks.

“All three stepped up when we (city) couldn’t and I appreciate it,” Letner said.

“It’s always a good turnout for the fireworks. People look forward to it,” Letner said.

“The fireworks are a grand finale for the Brookville community,” Letner added.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].