Published: September 13, 2009 07:21 pm      

Attica ready for Potawatomi Festival

ATTICA, Ind. — Thirty-nine years and the event remains going strong.

The Potawatomi Festival continues to be a mainstay in Attica.

This year’s festival gets under way a day earlier with the gospel night moved up a day to Thursday so it does not conflict with high school sporting events.

The festival grounds will be open Friday through Sunday.

“We hope the gospel show will be better attended on Thursday,” said committee member Sandra Brier.

The gospel show will feature Homeward Bound, Surrendering and The Kilburns.

Most of the Friday through Sunday schedule remains the same.

“It is about the same format,” said Dianna Molden, another committee member.

“We are having a lot of local talent this year.”

Oubache Park along the Wabash River is the main area for the festival, although activities spread out across the city.

Brier said there are 19 food booths on site and countless crafts and flea vendors.

Entertainment will be featured on the stage and in the dining area.

Karaoke is on tap Friday night.

Children’s activities, such as the children’s tractor pull and fishing contest are free.

Admission to the park is $1 after 5 p.m. Friday and $2 on Saturday and Sunday, with a portion of it going toward a scholarship for a student, while the rest is used for the following year.

The parade at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday on Perry Street is billed as western Indiana’s biggest parade.

“This (festival) is a fun thing to do,” Molden said. “You don’t have to drive a distance for this.”

Molden and Brier have been involved in the festival committee for years.

The Attica Chamber of Commerce started the Potawatomi Festival in 1971.

In the beginning, the festival filled McDonald Park and Brady and Mill streets.

To expand the needs of patrons who visited the festival and to expand its offerings, the festival moved to Oubache Park along the river.

Incorporated in 1979, the festival demonstrated its determination to remain a part of the city’s scene.

“I think (the festival) is good for a small community,” Brier said. “People come and enjoy it.



Schedule of events

THURSDAY

7 p.m. EDT: Gospel Show, Attica High School auditorium. Advance tickets: $5; tickets at the door, $6; ages 6-12, $1.

FRIDAY

9 a.m.: Festival grounds open. Free

admission until $5; $1 after 5 p.m.

5-7 p.m.: Registration for karaoke. Entry fee: $5.

6 p.m.: Karaoke, festival grounds.

SATURDAY

9 a.m.: Festival grounds open.

Admission: $2; free for age 12 and under.

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Registration for classic, antique car day, downtown.

11 a.m.: Karate demonstration by

Okinawan School of Karate, festival grounds stage; registration for children’s tractor pull, downtown.

Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Past Due with Scott Gregory, festival grounds stage.

Noon: Children’s tractor pull,

downtown.

12:45-1:45 p.m.: Registration for baby contest, festival grounds. Fee: $5 per child.

2 p.m.: Baby contest, festival grounds stage; Big Al’s Entertainment, festival grounds dining area.

3-4 p.m.: Attica Dance Arts Center,

festival grounds dining area.

4-9 p.m.: Good Samaritan Campaign, festival grounds stage.

SUNDAY

9 a.m.: Festival grounds open.

Admission: $2; free for age 12 and under; registration for children’s fishing contest.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Children’s fishing

contest, festival grounds.

2 p.m.: Parade, Perry Street.