Firefighters Homecoming to run through Saturday

Staff report

McDONALD

The 79th annual McDonald Firefighters Homecoming will be today through Saturday on the village grounds at the corner of Fifth Street and Ohio Avenue.

Events will begin with the annual “Run of the Mill,” a one-mile foot race, which starts at 5:45 p.m. at the Holiday Hot Tubs on the corner of Marshall Road and Ohio Avenue, and ends at the mill at the bottom of Ohio at the gates of McDonald Steel.

The annual parade will begin at 6 p.m. starting at the mill and march up Ohio Avenue to Marshall Road.

Concessions and rides by Premier Shows of Coitsville will operate from 6 to 11 p.m. each day. Thursday is wristband night, when youths can ride all night for just one price.

Bingo will be from 7 to 11 p.m. each night at the Ramsay Pavilion, except Saturday, when it ends at 10:30 p.m.

Fireworks will be at 11 p.m. Saturday to close out the festival.

The McDonald Historical Society will be open at the Community Room for visitors.

Those attending the festival are asked to remember that no pets or bicycles are permitted on the festival grounds.

Race forms are available at Speed Sports, 241 E. Marshall Road.

Dr. Thom Kunkel is race director. The run benefits the McDonald Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Teams. T-shirts will be given out to participants until they run out.

Prizes will be awarded as follows: $100 for the overall male and female winner and $50 for male and female runner-up.

There will also be prizes for age groups for male and female and for the youngest and oldest finishers. The age groups are: 12 and under, 13 to 15; 16 to 19; 20 to 29; 30 to 39; 40 to 49 and 50 and over.