After two weeks of delightful temperatures in the 70s, of course Mother Nature brought us temps near 100 degrees for the 84th Woodville Fourth of July Celebration. Fortunately, there were no reports of anyone melting into a puddle although it may have been touch-and-go for those working over grills and deep fryers in the food trucks.
Fireworks shot on festival’s first night
Despite the heat and the fact that the fireworks were on the first night of the Celebration rather than the last, people came from all over the area to enjoy the show. And thanks to the heat, the Woodville Buckeyes 4-H Club went through a record 74 gallons of ice cream making milkshakes for the fireworks crowd.
Although the forecast included the potential for storms over the three days of the celebration, rain was not a worry for fireworks night. Friday was a little different story. Checking the weather apps throughout the day, it looked like all would be good for the 5K Race. However, it wouldn’t really be the Woodville Fourth of July 5K if there was not at least a little weather drama involved.
A storm popped up on the radar less than half an hour before the Kids One Mile Fun Run was to start. The storm hit quickly, with lightning and winds sending signs scooting down the street and threatening to lift vendor tents and sending the crowd to seek shelter under larger tents and in a couple of buildings located in the park.
Despite rain delay, Kids run was held
On the plus side, the storm did drop the temperature about 15 degrees for the runners. After a 50-minute rain delay, the kids lined up and took off to run a shorter course than originally planned. After the last kid crossed the finish line, the 5K participants lined up and took off five minutes later. Even though it looked like another storm might hit before the race was over, it merely passed by a few miles out.
Saturday started off with the annual Grand Parade at noon. The parade lasted approximately 45 minutes, with the beginning and end meeting up at the corner of Cherry and Erie streets as the floats and other vehicles returned to Trail Marker Park to disperse.
Touch-A-Truck was next up on the schedule, where kids could check out police cruisers, a semi cab, tree trimming equipment, fire trucks, and the Harris-Elmore Fire Department’s hover craft. But the most fun happened when the kids had “control” of the fire hose — with the assistance of the firemen — and tried their very best to soak Woodville’s Fire Chief Tim Schnitker. And as hot as it was, he didn’t mind one bit.
Officer Jesse from the Woodville Police Department joined the fun and had the kids lining up for a bucket brigade, pouring water from one plastic fire helmet to the next to put out an imaginary fire.
Tear-down on July 5 turned out to be a bit of a muddy mess due to an early downpour and another round of rain an hour or so later while the committee and volunteers were dismantling stages and stacking picnic tables and benches in the garage.
With the celebration barely over and the committee feeling a bit stiff, sore, and “4-hour nap” tired, the to-do list and ideas for next year’s event were forming. But we will take a break over the next few months and begin the planning process in January 2027 the 85th Woodville Fourth of July Celebration in 2027.
Swim Lessons
The Woodville Community Pool has scheduled swim lessons from noon to 12:40 p.m. July 13-16 and 18.
Level 1 lessons include water introduction, safety, and basic swimming skills. Level 2 lessons include fundamental swimming skills, floating, and basic strokes.
Fees are $75 for Woodville residents and $85 for non-residents. Additional children from the same family receive a $10 discount. To register, stop by the pool office during operating hours Tuesday to Saturday. To reserve a child’s spot, complete a registration form and bring payment (cash or check only).
Boosters’ Golf Outing
The Woodmore Athletic Boosters are looking for golfers and sponsors for their annual golf outing starting at 8 a.m. Aug. 1 at Hidden Hills Golf Club. The entry fee is $260 per foursome and includes a meal, raffles, and prizes.
Sponsor deadline to be included on the promotional signage and event materials is July 18.To register a team or become a sponsor, contact woodmoreathleticbhttp://woodmoreathleticboosters2@gmail.com.oosters2@gmail.com.
Red Cross Blood Drive
There will be a Red Cross blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. July 17 at the Woodville Township Fire Station. Appointments may be made online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Contact Rene Dix at 419-307-0914 or via email at rene.dix@email.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Talk About Woodville: Village celebrates 84th Fourth of July Festival
Reporting by Rene Dix, Special to The News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Dix, Special to The News-Messenger | USA TODAY Network
