New Richwood “fest” is this weekend

The party of the summer in Richwood is taking place Aug. 9 at the Richwood Lake Park, bringing with it a slew of events involving many local community organizations acting as hosts, sponsors and beneficiaries.

The village announced the Richwood Summerfest in early June to coincide with the opening of the pickleball courts at the park. A promotional video produced by the village received over 40,000 views, proving to organizers that the event will be similar in scope to the Richwood Springenfest of the past.

“After what we went through with COVID, I think communities are crying; I think this is something (where) people want meaning, they want interaction,” Carmen Shields, president of the Richwood Trailblazers and organizer of Summerfest, said. “I think it’s just like, all the stars aligned.”

Organizer Kelly Jerew said that the impact of Springenfest helped gather interest for Summerfest.

“I think Springenfest has such a deep, emotional pull to anyone that has been around here,” Jerew said.

She said that when organizers put it all together, they wanted everyone in the community to be involved.

Shields said one of the reasons Springenfest fell through was due to the high labor needs, which is something that was cured through community involvement.

“They gotta staff it. We’ll do your advertisement, we’ll provide you with the coolest venue around, this is your baby, you get the money,” Shields explained. Organizers said that general proceeds from the event, such as ticket price and clothes sales, go back into the park, including maintenance, seasonal activities and future improvements.

Richwood Summerfest kicks off at 7 a.m., Aug. 9, and continues throughout the day and until 11 p.m. The list of events along with the location, details and sponsors is listed below.

Pancake breakfast – benefits go to North Union Robotics. Breakfast served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at shelter house one.

5k run/walk – registration at the beach shelter house from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., with benefits going to the North Union Track and Field Team with the run to begin at 8 a.m. $40 per person and includes $15 Summerfest T-shirt voucher.

Slow-pitch softball tournament – starts at 8 a.m. at the Gina Davis softball fields. $25 per team benefiting North Union Softball for Girls. Contact Liz Davis to sign up before Aug. 9.

Youth home run derby – Ages 11 and under, registration at 10 a.m. and first pitch at 11 a.m. benefiting North Union Baseball for boys. Located at Monroe Field.

Golf cart bingo – register beforehand for $20 or day-of at shelter house one for $25 until first cart heads out at 8:30 a.m., benefiting the Richwood Civic Center. Bring a donation to REAP food pantry and get an extra bingo card – limit of two. Donations to REAP can be made near the information booth.

Grand opening – begins at 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at stage shelter house 2.

Bake sale and silent auction – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at shelter house one, benefiting the trailblazers.

Gravel pit history trail walk and scavenger hunt – start times begin at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the information booth. Benefitting the trailblazers.

Pickleball tournament – begins at 11 a.m. until a winner is declared. Registration is full, however organizers encourage sign ups to continue in the event that a team drops out. Price is $20 per team. Located at new pickleball courts by the basketball court. Pickleball court will be open after tournament concludes. Benefits the trailblazers.

Kids zone – opens at 11 a.m. outside of shelter house two, with activities scheduled until 5 p.m., including grandma rock painting, train rides, face painting and photo booth sponsored by the trailblazers. Other activities include a dunk tank benefiting the North Union Cheerleading squad, Putt Putt benefiting the North Union Basketball team, library booth that benefits the Richwood North Union Public Library and a bounce house with benefits to REAP food pantry.

Adult home run derby – Registration begins at 2 p.m. with first pitch at 3 p.m. at Veterans Field, benefiting the North Union Little League.

Fulton Creek Blue Grass Band – Set to perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Corn hole tournament – Registration for $20 per team with games starting at 3 p.m.

Beer garden – available from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Benefitting the trailblazers.

Musician Chuck McGill – Set to perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Omega kick – available from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Parking options are available in multiple lots, including the North Union Elementary School parking lot and the lots on Franklin Street by the police station. Students with the North Union Shooting Club will offer shuttle services from the lots, with tips going to the club.