Morenci Town & Country Festival coming up June 15-17
MORENCI — Three days of small-town fun are planned as the 43rd annual Morenci Town & Country Festival starts Thursday, June 15, and continues Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17.
Promotional information provided by the festival’s planning committee said the 2023 edition of the festival has “an exciting lineup of activities and entertainment for attendees to enjoy.”
The Morenci Town & Country Festival features rides, games and live music while celebrating a small-town community and way of life, according to its Facebook page. All the action takes place in Wakefield Park.
“Activities ensure there’s something for everyone, from thrilling rides and games to live music, contests and delicious food options,” organizers Jack Still and Bill Foster said in a news release. “It’s bound to be an enjoyable and memorable event for the community once again.”
Some of the highlights people can expect include:
Carnival rides and amusement games. Rides open at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Royalty contest, scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, June 15. The contest includes four age divisions: 0-3 years, 4-7 years, 8-12 years and 13-18 years. Participants in each of the age divisions will compete for the title of “Miss Town & Country Festival Princess or Queen.” Those who are crowned during the contest are invited to ride in the parade on Saturday morning. Registration to be a participant in the royalty contest is required and can be completed by calling Megan at 517-260-5590.
Little League games. Morenci Little League teams will participate in baseball and softball games, providing a chance for families and fans to cheer on their little Bulldogs. Games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and all day on Saturday.
Frozen T-shirt contest. Two times are scheduled for this popular event: 7 p.m. Thursday and 5 p.m. Friday. Teams of two are invited to participate in the challenge of thawing and wearing a frozen T-shirt as quickly as possible. The cost is $5 per team and winners receive half of the total entry fees.
Open mic jam provides a platform for local musicians, singers and performers to showcase their talents on the festival's main stage from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 16.
Parade, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, and featuring floats by businesses, community groups and the royalty pageant queens. All are welcome to participate, but registration is required. Call Still or Foster at 517-438-0936 or 517-605-6546, respectively, to register. Lineup for the parade will be at 10 a.m. in the Morenci Middle/High School parking lot with the parade ending at Wakefield Park.
Two days of bingo games. Bingo will be at Wakefield Park’s west shelter house from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 16, and 1 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Prizes include “Morenci Money” from the Morenci Area Chamber of Commerce that can be used at local businesses and for purchasing plants from R & W Nursery.
Cornhole tournament. Competitive games of cornhole will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 17, on the tennis courts at Wakefield Park. Registration begins at noon and is $10 to enter. Partners are chosen by a blind draw, the release said, with 100% payout to the winners. Registration for the cornhole games can be made by calling Deryl Clark at 517-403-7045.
Kids power wheel mud drags. Children ages 3-8 are invited to the north end of Wakefield Park at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17, to race on the muddy course. Each participant is entered into a drawing to win a Power Wheel. Trophies are awarded to the first-, second- and third-place finishers. There is no cost to enter.
Live concerts scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights. Crossing Woodward, a band from Detroit featuring 1989 Morenci graduate Chris Diccion, and Mass Saga, an Irish Hills band brought back to the festival by popular demand, have performances scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, on the main event stage.
Merchant and food vendors will set up booths and offer a range of products, crafts and food options, the release said. Vendors interested in setting up at the festival can register by calling Still at 517-438-0936. Setup for vendors spaces and booths begins at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
Fireworks. The festival culminates with a fireworks display, “providing a colorful and mesmerizing spectacle for all to enjoy,” the release said. The fireworks show is scheduled for 10:20 p.m. Saturday, June 17.
Morenci American Legion Post No. 368, 9010 Morenci Road, will offer a baked potato bar from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15. For $9, people can load up a 1-pound baked potato with all their favorite toppings, followed by a sweet dessert.
Visitors to the festival have come from as far away as Lima, Ohio, and Fremont, Indiana, Foster previously said. The biggest and best day for festival fun and attractions is Saturday, he added.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Morenci Town & Country Festival coming up June 15-17
