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Roscoe Fall Festival Draws Large Crowds while Bringing Fun to Stateline
By Marianne Mueller
REPORTER
Screams of fun were heard all over Leland Park as riders took a spin on a brand new Zipper, the Remix, bumper cars, the Cliffhanger, the Alibaba, or rode down a Super Slide. Some ventured into the “Beach Party” fun house. Little ones trekked around the track of a dragon coaster, swings and teacups.
All ages tried their hand at basketball games, popping a balloon, choosing a duck from a pond, attempted to knock over blocks and took chances on other fun games.
This only taps the surface of three days of fun options at the 46th Annual Roscoe Fall Festival.
Food vendors lined the grounds offering everything from popular fair foods such as pizza, funnel cakes and cotton candy. Boy Scout Troop 620 sold a wide variety of specialty flavored popcorn. Cheese curds and dairy-related foods were also enjoyed by many. The Harlem Roscoe Fire Department and Kiwanis Clubs operated food booths.
In the Lions Café burgers, hot dogs, butterfly pork chop sandwiches, cream chicken on a biscuit, ham and pork chop dinners plus pie were on the menu.
Musical genres were covered by Rockin Horse, Kevin Burns Good Vibrations, Decades Rock Band, and Rollin’ Whiskey who closed out the Sunday night entertainment.
The Poison Ivy beer tent was open in the evenings. The Democratic and Republican parties, Thirty-One, Avon, and local businesses filled a tent.
Representatives from Hononegah High School talked to the public. Informational packets on an upcoming proposed referendum, pencils and pens were given to booth visitors.
Activities geared toward the younger set included a kiddie costume parade, a performance by Kids Spot, Knocker ball challenges, and a bag toss tournament which was newly added this year. Saturday morning found kids smiling as they intently watched a Rockton United Methodist Church Puppet Acres Show.
Bubbles the Clown greeted youth and did detailed pieces of artwork while painting faces.
Members of Cub Scout Troop 620 stepped into a dunk tank ready to be dunked.
As always the Bingo tent proved to be a popular hot spot. Fifty-fifty raffles and attendance prize drawings added extra ways to win cash or nice prizes.
Sunday marked a memorable final day of the festival opening with an all you can eat pancake breakfast hosted by Roscoe United Methodist Church Men.
The First Congregational Church of Roscoe gave away free clothes, shoes and foods. Members gave a background on the homegrown garden on church grounds.
As rows of spectators lined streets an hour long parade led by the Roscoe VFW Color Guard. Sounds of Hononegah High School and Roscoe Middle School Bands were heard down the parade route. Youth organizations, dance troupes, Roscoe Rockton Junior Indians Football, Shriners, vintage vehicles, businesses and the Harlem Roscoe Fire Department only tapped the surface of entries. A very special 911 display brought respectful silence followed by applause.
Large cash raffle winners names were drawn. The Grand Prize winner of $5,000 was Gary Gentry. Nola Burke emerged the $1,500 winner and Larry Baul won $1,000 plus one of the 10- $50 prizes.
A stunning fireworks display lit up the evening sky rounding out an event catering to every age and taste.
MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
Shriners created smiles during the Roscoe Lions Club’s Fall Festival Parade.
The 2016 Roscoe Fall Festival mixed traditional action with newer options.
“We had beautiful weather, nice crowds, and a very successful event. We thank everyone for coming out to support the Roscoe Lions Club,” said Roscoe Lions Club President Tom Mann.
