Freedom Festival offers something for all

The WV Freedom Festival will kick off its Fourth of July freedom celebration beginning this Thursday evening with several events for young and old alike.

As always, the streets will be lined with a variety of vendors offering delicious food, cool drinks and confections aimed at satisfying any sweet tooth. Along with food, items of all descriptions will be available from local vendors and the local arts and crafts community.

Thursday night, July 3, entertainment will include the Festival Pet Show at 6 p.m. hosted by Bill France. This fun entertainment is open to domestic and exotic animals. Any tame pet may enter the pet show but pets must be well mannered and able to handle crowds and children. The pets are judged on appearance, and many are dressed in costumes or clothing. To add further fun to the contest, owners often dress up to match their pet. Last year, the crowd favorite was a cat and owner dance routine. The grand prize for the pet show is $50, the top domestic and exotic pet, along with the crowd favorite, will receive a special trophy. Each pet and owner will receive prizes and medals.

Also the judging for the Festival Window Decorating Contest will be held. This is the ninth year of the contest. The contest is open to all downtown businesses in Logan and has three divisions: veterans/military, patriotism and creativeness. Awards will be presented on stage on July 5 at 3 p.m. Winners will receive the infamous "Gold Cup" to display in their window for the entire year. Each store that participates will receive a gold trophy to display in their window. Second, third and fourth place will also receive small gold cups.

Also beginning Thursday and running at scheduled times throughout the event will be the Brunon Blaskzak's Royal Bengal Tigers. Internationally famous wild animal trainer Brunon Blaszak comes from a family of wild animal trainers for over three generations. Brunon and his performing tigers will offer and amazing performance of thrills, danger, excitement and entertainment. This performance is not only entertaining, but educational as well. The Royal Bengal Tigers show will be performing two shows on the 3rd, two shows on the 4th and four shows on the 5th.

Everybody must love Grandpa Cratchet, since it is the longest running and most successful puppet show in the special events industry. Grandpa's special mix of slap stick comedy, wit, interactivity, improv, and family values offers a show the entire family can enjoy. Grandpa's Workshop spotlights Grandpa, Cousin Clem, Grunt the Pig and a host of other critters. This fast paced, audience participation, slapstick show features Grandpa's inventions. Grandpa will also be driving the streets in downtown Logan in his little truck inviting spectators back to his show held in his Safety Fix It Shop, which will be located in front of McCormick's in downtown Logan.

The Rock Wall, Spider Climb, Gold Rush Sifting Adventure, arts, craft, and specialty and food vendors will be set up all three days. A tentative schedule for Thursday events is:

(Events begin at 4 p.m.)

4 p.m. - Music on main stage at Town Square

5 p.m. - Fireman's Showcase, Stratton Street/Porter Creek Cloggers on stage

6 p.m. - WV Freedom Festival Pet Show/Grandpa Cratchet Show in front of McCormick's

6:30 p.m. - First show for Brunon Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers at the Pioneer Hotel lot/Cole Street

7 p.m. - "Logan's Got Talent" talent show

7:30 p.m. - Grandpa Cratchet Puppet mobile truck

8 p.m. - Dewayne Hill Magic Show on main stage

8:30 p.m. - Second show for Brunon Blaszak's Bengal Tigers located at the Pioneer Hotel lot/Cole Street

9 p.m. - Opening act for band/second show for Grandpa Cratchet Stage Show located in front of McCormick's.

10 p.m.-Midnight - Band on stage

On Friday night, someone will win $250 in this year's Lip Sync Contest. The competition begins at 7 p.m. on the main stage at Courthouse Square.

This is the 5th year the competition has been held and host is local DJ and WVOW announcer, Bill France.

Some of the past winners include local residents performing as Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, Ike and Tina Turner and the Blues Brothers.

If you would like more information on this year's lip sync contest or block party blowout, which France will also host, go to www.djbillfrance.com

Also, Friday night will be Hatfield & McCoy Trail Night. The Freedom Festival has partnered with the Hatfield and McCoy Trail this year for a week long event in Logan. During the festival, the Hatfield & McCoy trail will host "Dirt Days" at Thunderblast on Three Mile Curve. A Hatfield and McCoy Trail parade for all ATVs will begin at 4 p.m. in downtown Logan. As well as the parade, a Military Salute honoring veterans and the brave men and women in the military. The evening will also offer the Crazy American Contest, a Motorcycle Show, wrestling, and Speed & Thro Professional Magicians. For more information on "Dirt Days," you may visit www.thunderblastonline.com

A tentative schedule for Friday events is:

(Events begin at 4 p.m.)

4 p.m. - Music on main stage at Town Square /H&M Trail Parade/Grandpa Cratchet will be in the parade

5 p.m. - Military salute on stage (balloon release)/ motorcycle show registration begins

6 p.m. - Crazy American Contest on main stage/ Grandpa Cratchet Show in front of McCormick's /motorcycle show begins

6:30 p.m. - First show for Brunon Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers at the Pioneer Hotel lot/Cole Street

7 p.m. - Lip Sync Contest on stage/Wrestling

7:30 p.m. - Grandpa Cratchet Puppet mobile truck

8 p.m. - Motorcycle Show awards on main stage

8:30 p.m. - Second show for Brunon Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers at the Pioneer Hotel lot/Cole Street/ Second Show for Grandpa Cratchet Show in front of McCormicks

9 p.m. - Speed & Thro Magic Show on main stage

10 p.m.-Midnight - Band on stage

Saturday is the most anticipated day since that will be the day that most contest awards will be presented so plan on coming early and staying late. The finale of the evening will be the big Block Party hosted by Bill France. France offers a ton of games and prizes during the event and there is plenty of room to dance and have fun, fun, fun!

The spectacular fireworks display will begin at dusk to celebrate the nation's freedom. Organizers remind people to set their radios to 106.7FM during the display.

A tentative schedule for Saturday is:

(Events begin at 11 a.m.)

11 a.m.-Noon - Car Show registration

1-3 p.m. - Car Show

1 p.m. - Quilt Show registration begins at Don Browning's Jewelers/ Grandpa Cratchet Puppet mobile truck

2 p.m. - Speed & Thro Magic Show in front of McCormick's/ First show for Brunon Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers at the Pioneer Hotel lot/Cole Street

3 p.m. - Baking Contest begins at Don Browning's Jewelers/ Grandpa Cratchet Show in front of McCormicks

3 p.m. - Car Show awards on main stage

4 p.m. - WV Freedom Festival Parade

4:30 p.m. - Speed & Thro Magic Show in front of McCormicks/ Grandpa Cratchet Puppet mobile truck

5 p.m. - Quilt Show and Baking Contest Awards announced on stage/ Grandpa Cratchet Show in front of McCormick's/ Second show for Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers at the Pioneer Hotel lot/ Meet the Miss WV Freedom Festival royalty on stage

6 p.m. - Speed & Thro Magician's MAIN Show on main stage

7 p.m. - Block Party Blowout with DJ Bill France/ Final show for Brunon Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers at the Pioneer Hotel lot/Cole Street/ Grandpa Cratchet Show

10 p.m./Dusk - Fireworks by Pyrotechnico (Tune your radio to 106.7FM)

10-Midnight - After Party with the band on the main stage

Organizers Serafino Nolletti and Amber Gore, along with their volunteers, have planned an exciting three days for local residents to attend and enjoy. The event gets bigger and better each year and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the area.