TRUMBULL COUNTY Hubbard brings back festival with new name

There will be no fireworks at the summer festival.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The annual Hubbard Founders Day celebration, canceled last year because of injuries suffered in a fireworks display gone bad, is back on track.
It will no longer be known as Founders Day, but rather Hubbard Fun Fest 2004. There won't be any fireworks.
"There will be something for everybody," Mary Ann Lark, president of the Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce, pledged Wednesday.
The chamber and Mayor Arthur U. Magee are sponsoring the two-day event beginning July 10.
More than a dozen spectators were injured in 2002 when fireworks exploded after being aimed in the wrong direction.
Then-Mayor George Praznik canceled the 2003 celebration because, he said, it lacked support, although the injuries were a factor.
Lark said Magee wanted the community to have a summer festival, complete with a new name.
"We have no money. We're starting out with a zero balance," Lark said. "We're going to have this."
Hubbard Fun Fest 2004 will be in the parking lot of the city administration building.
Spaces available
Lark explained that 50 spaces for booths have been set aside, such as for children's games and food vendors.
Deadline to reserve a space is May 31 or when the spots run out. They are for community residents or those connected to Hubbard, she explained.
Twenty-five spaces have been reserved so far at $50 each for the Saturday and Sunday event. Applications for the spaces are available at the mayor's office in the administration building.
Lark said she is in search of entertainment -- bands, musicians and dancers -- to volunteer their time.
The chamber's annual pancake breakfast will be from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Harding Park. It includes a fun run at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the park.
The Hubbard Community Involvement Fund will host a parade at 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, contact Gerry Hallaty, (330) 534-0260, or leave a message at the chamber office, (330) 534-5120.