McDonald makes plans for firemen’s festival

McDONALD — The 74th annual McDonald Fire Department Social Organization sponsored Homecoming 2007 will be Wednesday through Saturday on the village green, opposite the municipal building on Ohio Avenue.

The annual festival will be preceded Wednesday by the sixth annual Run of the Mill, starting at 5:45 p.m. The one-mile foot race will start at Holiday Hot Tubs on the corner of Marshall Road and Ohio, and proceed straight down Ohio Avenue to finish through the gates of McDonald Steel.

Entree fee is $10 for those who are preregistered and $12 the day of the race. Forms can be obtained at the municipal building. Entries should be mailed to McDonald Cross Country Club, 3136 Wildwood Drive, McDonald, 44437.

The run benefits the McDonald schools boys and girls cross country team.

Awards will be presented immediately after the homecoming parade, which follows the race at Holiday Hot Tubs. The overall winner will receive $100. Runner-up male and female will receive $50. There will be three age group awards, and a youngest and oldest finisher will be honored. Age groups are 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50 and over.

Where to call

For more information, call Leslie Thornton at (330) 530-5208. A parent’s signature is required for runners under 18.

Homecoming festivities Wednesday are: free pancake breakfast, 8-10 a.m.; games for all ages, 10 a.m.; parade, 6 p.m. from Marshall Road to Second Street just short of the mill; rides and concessions, 6-11 p.m.; bingo, 7:15-11 p.m. in the Ramsey Pavilion. The winner of the John Pete checker tournament will be announced at the pancake breakfast.

The Performing Arts Center Dance Show will be on the basketball courts immediately after the parade at 6:30 p.m. Games planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday, with a rain date of Saturday, are: up to age 4, candy and penny scramble; 5-6, whipped cream races; 7-8, shoe scramble; 9-10, paper plate race; 11-12, watermelon-eating contest; 13-14, water balloon toss; 15 and over, egg toss; and parent and child egg toss.

After the games, free ice cream will be provided by the Fire Department Social Organization.

Wristband night will be Thursday. Youths can ride all night. The cost of the wristband will be announced that day. Rides and concessions will go from 6-11 p.m. and bingo will be from 7-11.

Rides and concessions will run from 6-11 p.m.Friday and Saturday and bingo will be both nights from 7-11. The festival will culminate with a display by Zambelli Fireworks at 11 p.m. Saturday.