For 2019, Flying Through 40 Years of Gladfest Fun is the theme for Gladfest. The festival will be held at Linden Square and Central Park (Kids Corner, KnockerBall and Camel Rides) October 4, 5 and 6. Some of the mainstay of this festival has been craft booths, the parade, Little Mr. and Miss Pageant, the carnival, and great entertainment, food and drink.
The Gladfest volunteers are numerous and some have participated by being a chairperson or helped in some many with the festival for many years. There is a strong comradery among the experienced ones, and they are happy to welcome new volunteers in. For the last 10 years, I have chaired and Emceed the Little Mr. and Miss Pageant. When the entries come in for the 3 to 8-year-old participates, I make the calls to let their parents know their child is in the pageant along with when and where to meet that night. I ask for donations for the kid’s bags and grand prizes plus find my own volunteers to help with judging. I’ve had fun with the kids on the stage when they answer my questions. You just never know what they will say! It’s been rewarding getting involved with the community. I’ve met so many people that come to the festival when I participate plus get to see friends that are there as well. The best thing for me is when I’m done with my event, I can enjoy the festival!
This year, Gladfest will have craft and marketing booths, the train show, Kids Corner with crafts for kids on Friday and Saturday. The carnival will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The parade will start off on Saturday at 10 A.M. and then at noon activities like KnockerBall and camel rides will be available. There will be lots of food, music, rides and drinks.
The parade route is different this year to accommodate a longer parade. It will start at Shady Lane and North Oak Trafficway. It will continue north to NE 72nd Street and go east to N. Holmes. Then it will travel south on N. Holmes past City Hall and through the festival and head west on 70th Street past Linden Square to end at the Security Bank parking lot at 70th and N. Oak.
Friday night, Oct 4 entertainment will be Midnight Rodeo at 7:30 P.M. at the Linden Square Stage.
Saturday night, Oct. 5 entertainment will be 4 Fried Chickens and a Coke at 7:30 P.M. at the Linden Square Stage.
For directions or more information, visit www.gladstonechamber.com, and also check out the Gladfest page on Facebook.
