Thunder Over Holmes County: Affordable fun for everyone

In this challenging economy, with gasoline prices hovering around a dollar per gallon higher than this time last year and the cost of travel rising right along with it, more families are opting to take advantage of unique events and activities right in their own hometowns.

This year, thanks to the creative folks at Historic Downtown Millersburg and a group of generous local businesses and organizations, families from all over Holmes County and the surrounding areas will be able to enjoy big town Independence Day festivities and flashy fireworks without traveling far from home during the Thunder Over Holmes County Independence Day Festival on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.

Strolling magician, historical presentations, lawn games, balloon artists, and fun, old-fashioned competitions will provide plenty of activities for all ages. Thunder Idol will welcome singers and musicians to compete for cash prizes while the grand stage, sponsored by Majora Lane Center, will host lots of live entertainment. And what's even more of a blast is that most of it won't cost a thing, since the majority of activities have been paid for by Holmes County businesses and groups, freeing families to simply show up and enjoy it all.

Thunder Over Holmes County will kick off on the courthouse lawn as Bob Casey emcees the first annual Thunder Idol, an American Idol-style competition where people can croon their way to cash prizes and local fame. Three local judges, including West Holmes music teacher Kristen Rodhe and Young Music's Brent Young, will decide who gets the golden ticket to move on to the spotlight of the main stage on Saturday night. Tara McCulloch, promotions and events director for Historic Downtown Millersburg, predicts that this will be a very popular event.

"We actually had people contact us about participating before we even advertised it. We've had a very positive reaction and hope to make it an annual event."

McCulloch said everything good about last year's festival is back, plus a whole lot more. Saturday afternoon will bring in the bounce houses, even bigger and better this year, thanks to Family Auto Care. The Holmes County Prevention Coalition will again host its 65-foot inflatable obstacle course to challenge both adults and children. Also returning is the Community Canvas, a 4-by-4 interactive art activity hosted by photographer Stacey Long, welcoming all ages to let the paint and creativity flow. The Wilderness Center will be back with a live turtle show, and Skyview Ranch will offer kids' classic lawn games.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Holmes County Historical Society (HCHS) will take folks on a historical journey as they enter the main courtroom of the Holmes County courthouse. Step back in time with HCHS's David Weiss to remember Fort Fizzle, a skirmish that took place in Glenmont, then known as Napoleon, an effort so named when a makeshift rebellion against the coming draft "fizzled out." Executive director Mark Boley said the program will be a great opportunity for families to add an educational aspect to the day's festivities. Following will be a repeat of another wildly popular event from last year, a free courthouse tour conducted by former judge Thomas White. Come to the historical society table early, as seating for the free program will be limited. In addition, to commemorate the 150th anniversary, a Civil War booth will be open all day on the courthouse lawn and is sponsored by Jay McCulloch at CSB Investment Services.

The kids will hold their own little skirmishes all Saturday afternoon on the courthouse lawn in a battle to see who can eat the most pie, toss jiggling jello cubes the farthest, and spit watermelon seed the greatest distance, all sponsored by New Horizon Naturals. McCulloch said that if these contests are as well-attended as last year, there will be plenty of seed spitting, jello jiggling and pie gobbling.

"Last year, the tables were so full of contestants, I was worried I wouldn't have enough pies!" she laughed. This year, there will be plenty of pies, and plenty of trophies for the winners.

Speaking of winners, McCulloch was excited about the changes to this year's silent auction, beginning on Friday evening, which will feature high-ticket items with a retail value of at least $300 each, including a Weber gas grill from Millersburg True Value, four Ohio State Buckeyes tickets donated by Bill Baker, two designer tables from Jackson Street Gallery, an HD television with built-in DVD player from Millersburg Electric, and a totally rockin' electric guitar from Young Music, as well as some amazing music and sports collectors' memorabilia. In addition to the silent auction, Historic Downtown Millersburg is offering a chance to win a 32 gig Apple iPad 2 worth $599 through a $5 raffle.

For an even better deal, trade twenty bucks for five raffle tickets, and spend the $5 you saved on some of the fabulous food available for sale throughout the event. Beginning on Friday evening, the air will fill with the aroma of Italian sausage and gyros, kettle corn and elephant ears, just to name a few of the tasty choices. On Saturday at noon, vendors will crank up the homemade ice cream and the Nashville Cub Scouts will dish out delicious barbecued chicken, but only while supplies last.

There won't be any shortage of entertainment for folks to enjoy as they munch, beginning with the Walhonding Rube Band, which will perform patriotic music and marches at 2 p.m. on Saturday. At 4 p.m., folk and acoustic classic rock group Thumbs McGee will take the stage, featuring Brad and Toni Shreve and the Voice of Holmes County, Mark Lonsinger. Beginning at 4 p.m., catch strolling magician Tim Angeloni who will also present a magical stage show for all ages at 7 p.m.

Capture the memories of the day, thanks to Kids Collection, with a free caricature by returning artist Sam Sutton. Village Motors will sponsor the ever-popular balloon artist, who will twist up a poodle or a panda bear on demand and free of charge. Face painting, sponsored by Pomerene Hospital, will also be offered free of charge, beginning at 2 p.m.

As evening approaches, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Prism Brass Ensemble from the United States Air Force Band of Flight, sponsored by Hotel Millersburg, Comfort Inn and American Legion Post 192, will set the tone for Holmes County's only fireworks display. The ensemble will perform light classics, marches, jazz and classic rock beginning at 8:30 p.m., playing right up until the thunder begins at dusk. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to settle in downtown as the fireworks fill the sky over the Holmes County fairgrounds, sending this year's Holmes County Independence Day celebration out with a bang. Fireworks are sponsored by the Holmes Tourism Bureau, village of Millersburg and the Holmes County Flea Market.

With so many fun and free activities on Holmes County's courthouse lawn, there's no need to drain the gas tank or the bank account. Just stick around downtown and enjoy a budget-friendly blast.

Refer to this week's Bargain Hunter for a full listing of events, activities and times.

This article was underwritten by Historic Downtown Millersburg.