Columbiaville Days set for July 16-18

There will be plenty of fun for kids at Columbiaville Days. COLUMBIAVILLE — With the theme of Small Town USA Columbiaville Days kicks off July 16- 18 this summer.

“We are excited about our schedule this year,” said Columbiaville Days organizer Amy Swantek. New this year is a Minute To Win competition on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. in Vermilya Park. The game is a take off of the NBC show and is for ages 10 and older.

Taking another cue from popular TV programming the Columbiaville Days committee will once again host Kids Fright Factor for ages 5-12 on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. also in Vermilya Park and Adult Fright Factor, sponsored by Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists, at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The two-person winning team of that competition will receive $500 cash. Registration for Adult Fright Factor is at noon on Saturday.

Schmidt Amusements will be bringing eight to 10 carnival rides to the event this year for families to enjoy all weekend.

Talented water skiers perform at a past festival. Other events on Friday include a kids parade at 6 p.m., a teen photo scavenger hunt at 7 p.m. and music by Westfall in the beverage tent.

Saturday events include a men’s softball tournament at 8 a.m., a classic car and bike show at 9 a.m., cutest baby contest at 10 a.m. and a petting zoo, which opens at 11 a.m. Live performances by R & R Double Take, Cash O’Riley, Zucko and the Wildkatz and Lester Bangs take place in Vermilya Park throughout the day and into the evening at the beverage tent.

Fireworks over the Flint River will light up the sky around 10 p.m.

The first-ever Columbiaville Days kickball tournament will start off the fun on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. at the ball diamonds.

The kids’ Olympics begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a number of free kids competitions including a greased pig chase, a frog jumping contest, three legged race, water melon seed spitting contest, cake eating contest and the ever-popluar kids’ stinkiest tennis shoe contest at 4 p.m.

Throughout the weekend festival goers can check out various rummage sales, vendors, food and much more through Vermilya Park and downtown Columbiaville. Details: www.columbiaville. org.

— Emily Caswell