First Town Days kicks off Thursday

Times-Reporter staff report
·4 min read
The 2022 First Town Days Festival plate will feature the 250th anniversary of the founding of Schoenbrunn Village.
The 2022 First Town Days Festival plate will feature the 250th anniversary of the founding of Schoenbrunn Village.

The 45th annual First Town Days celebration kicks off Thursday at Tuscora Park.

The festival begins Thursday with the official opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. Immediately following at 6:30 will be the 2022 Commemorative Plate auction. This year's plate honors the 250th anniversary of the founding of Schoenbrunn Village. The first five plates are auctioned off each year with the proceeds used for various projects at Tuscora Park supported by the First Town Days Festival Committee and to help offset festival expenses. Plates will also be available for purchase following the auction.

New Philadelphia resident Terry Snyder won the adult pedal tractor pull during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
New Philadelphia resident Terry Snyder won the adult pedal tractor pull during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
5-year-old English Bulldog 'Thursdton' got some love from passers by during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
5-year-old English Bulldog 'Thursdton' got some love from passers by during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
Mason Kimble, of Cadiz, competed in the pedal tractor pull during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
Mason Kimble, of Cadiz, competed in the pedal tractor pull during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
Amber Aurora Skelly from Beach City, enjoyed the roller coaster during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
Amber Aurora Skelly from Beach City, enjoyed the roller coaster during the 2021 First Town Days Festival at Tuscora Park. TIMES-REPORTER/ANDREW DOLPH
The Enlich Brothers, Michael (left) and Matthew, performed in the talent show during the 2021 First Town Days Festival.
The Enlich Brothers, Michael (left) and Matthew, performed in the talent show during the 2021 First Town Days Festival.

Joe Croft, the First Town Days committee president, said he is looking forward to this year's event and praised the volunteers and sponsors that help make this weekend possible.

"We've added the Cronebaugh Auction Tent for afternoon and evening entertainment," he said. "It's going to be mostly local groups performing, but it will give people something else to do."

Not that the First Town Days will be lacking for activities.

The midway opens at 4 on Thursday with opening remarks following at 6 on the Al Maloney Midway Stage. The plate auction is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The annual parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and the fireworks show is scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday.

Family Day activities will kick off Monday morning.

Croft said he's putting last-minute details together for Monday and is still seeking volunteers.

"We have 10 or 12 people on our committee, but there are never enough volunteers," he said. "Sponsors are the same. We have great sponsors, but you can always use more."

FIRST TOWN DAYS SCHEDULE

The schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday

4-9 p.m., Midway and craft area opens

6 p.m., David Millard, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

6-10:30 p.m., Bocce tournament, bocce courts

6-7 p.m., Mayor and committee introductions, Al Maloney stage

6:10-7 p.m., VFW 1445 First Town Days Scholarship Awards, Al Maloney stage

6:30-7 p.m., Annual commemorative Plate auction, Al Maloney stage

7-9 p.m., Liberty Bridge Band, Al Maloney stage

Friday

2-5 p.m., Mike Wikoff, wacky country, Al Maloney stage

2-5 p.m., Seniors Day Displays and Activities, Al Maloney stage

3-5 p.m., Seniors Bingo, Lake Street Shelter (behind stage)

4-10 p.m., Midway and craft area opens

4:30-6:30 p.m., Alex Hursey, Cronebaugh Entertainment Tent

6:30 p.m., WJER Grand Parade, Downtown New Philadelphia

8-10 p.m., Brothers, Al Maloney stage

Saturday

9 a.m., McInturf-Lawver 5K run, Woody Hayes stadium

9 a.m., Roberts softball New Philadelphia City vs. County, Hilltop softball field

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2022 Baby Contest, Tuscora Park Ampitheater

11 a.m.-10 p.m., Midway and craft area opens

11 a.m.-1 p.m., Prime, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

12:30-3 p.m., Keith's Cars Kiddie & Adult Pedal Tractor Pull, Al Maloney stage

1:15-3:15 p.m., Lovedays, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

3-4:30 p.m., Ed Kilpatrick, Ed's Acoustic Thingy, Al Maloney stage

4:30 p.m., Men's Leg Contest, Al Maloney stage

5 p.m., Pie Eating Contest, Al Maloney stage

5:30-6:30 p.m., Marc Davis, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

8-11 p.m., LaFlavour, Al Maloney stage

10 p.m. City of New Philadelphia Gigantic Fireworks Display, practice field

Sunday

10 a.m., First Christian Church -- service, Tuscora Park Ampitheater

12 p.m., Ferris Chevrolet Junior Superstars, main baseball field

12-12:45 p.m., Talent Show practice, Al Maloney stage

1 p.m., Dover Hydraulics Amateur Talent Show, Al Maloney stage

2:30-4:30, TBA, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

3-5 p.m., J.W. Cookson Classic Car Show, practice field

5:30-7:30 p.m., Greg and Shayne, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

Monday

8 a.m., Fishing Derby, Tuscora Park lake

9:30 a.m., Frog Jumping contest, practice field

10:30 a.m., Turtle Races, practice field

11:30 a.m., Parent/Child Sack Races, practice field

12-8 p.m., Midway and Craft Area opens

12-2 p.m., Ainsley Sefert, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

1:30 p.m., Big Wheel races, Al Maloney stage

2:30-4:30, Acoustified, Cronebaugh Auction Entertainment Tent

3 p.m., Parent/Child Hoop Shot, Tuscora Park basketball courts

6-6:45 p.m., By Grace Alone, Al Maloney stage

6:45-8 p.m., Jerome James Gospel, Al Maloney stage

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Annual New Phila celebration — First Town Days — kicks off Thursday