The village of Chesterville and Highland Local Schools community came out in full support of Chesterville Heritage Day on Saturday. The Chesterville “square” and main streets were lined with families, friends and neighbors waiting for the parade.
The festival opened with coffee and muffins at Chesterville Community Church at 10 a.m., followed by Bingo, games and a scavenger hunt at Selover Public Library.
The parade came through at noon, led by the Highland ROTC Color Guard and Highland flag corps and band. The band delighted the crowd with several patriotic numbers and drew cheers when it broke into the Highland Scots’ fight song.
The parade proceeded through town with boy scouts, a JEEP club group of cars, vintage automobiles, tractors and trucks, followed by the varsity Highland football team. The parade marshals were Jason and Heather Coey, who followed the Big Walnut Joint Fire District trucks and Selover Library staff, which amused the crowd as they wheeled book carts through town.
Chesterville community events leader Beverly Moser said they added a few new activities to the festival this year. There were two performances by Barefoot McCoy and a comedy juggling performance with Tom Sparough and the Space Painter. A Dixieland Jazz Band performance rounded out the afternoon, followed by karaoke at 6 p.m.
The Masonic Chester Lodge 238 offered lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there were food trucks and the traditional crafters and vendors booths throughout the afternoon with the favorite pie and cake auction at 3 p.m. County Republicans and Democrats distributed information after participating in the parade.
Moser was happy to have sunny weather and a good turnout for festivities. She encouraged anyone interested in volunteering or sponsorship for future events to contact her or any member of the event staff.
Alberta Stojkovic is a correspondent for The Morrow County Sentinel. She can be reached at [email protected].