The Pickle Run Festival will make its return to Galion July 4-5.

Officials with the upcoming Pickle Run Festival continue to have high hopes about its success.

The festival, which was a local tradition, is being revived for the first time in about 15 years after first being held in 1978 as a fundraiser for the Galion Booster Club. It is scheduled for July 4-5 at Heise Park.

“Preparations are going better than expected,” Committee member Sarah Capretta said. “We have had such a great response from the community and have received so much support in the planning process.”

Capretta said the history of the event has sparked interest in the community.

“The best part of planning this event is having a chance to talk with so many people who had, in some way, been involved in the Pickle Run in the past,” she said. “Many have a story of the Pickle Run and it is so fun to hear all the different things people experienced in the 20 years the Pickle Run was going.”

The event will start July 4 with the YMCA’s 5K run/walk and kids’ fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Punt, Pass and Kick competition at Unckrich Stadium.

A festival highlight, “Anything Goes” starts at 4 p.m. The event consists of five activities which will be announced at the beginning of the event. Teams of six can register at the event’s Facebook page.

Other events on July 4 include a teen dance/swim at 7 p.m. at the Heise Park pool and an outdoor family movie behind the YMCA starting at 9:30 p.m.

“I’m really excited,” Comittee member Beth Comerford said. “The city is moving forward with the Splash Park, Galion Graders and Disc Golf and this is another example. I like how tons of people are working together on this festival. We are definitely on the right path.”

Sunday’s events include a car and motorcycle show at the Galion Senior Center from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., a disc golf tournament at Amick Reservoir from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.and a volleyball tournament in Heise Park starting at 1 p.m.

In addition, a parade will start at 2 p.m. and travel from the former Galion High School location on Church Street to Gill Avenue through Heise Park, which will host vendor booths from 4-8 p.m. The Galion Graders will play a home game at 7:05 p.m. and fireworks will follow the game.

“We believe there will something there that everyone can enjoy,” Capretta said.”I am looking forward to seeing everyone together in one place to come together as a community.”

Questions can be directed to Capretta at 419-777-7565.

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Pugh is the Group Content Editor of the Galion Inquirer, Morrow County Sentinel, Bellville Star and Knox County Citizen. You can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @pughcivitas