Sunday, September 05, 1999

Florence Y'all fest distills fun

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BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FLORENCE — Four days worth of Florence Y'all festival will be packed into one day this year.

        Because of construction on Main Street, the usual spot for the festival, it will be held Monday at the Florence Government Center campus on Ewing Boulevard.

IF YOU GO

• What: Florence Y'all Festival   • When: Monday, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.   • Where: Florence Government Center Campus, 8100 Ewing Blvd.   • Events and times:   • Pet show: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.   • Food and beverage booths   open at 11 a.m.   • Three-legged sack races: noon to 12:30 p.m.   • Hills of Kentucky Cloggers:   2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.   • Mark Cormican, folk musician: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.   • Egg toss: 6 to 6:30 p.m.   • Farewell to Summer 1999 fireworks: 9:30 p.m. down.”

        “We just don't have the space to do it on any other streets,” said Ted Bushelman, chairman of the Florence Y'all Festival committee.

        But the schedule isn't all that's changed. This year focuses on bringing the community together family-style.

        “We've got one year that's going to be different, so why don't we try something different?” Mr. Bushel man said.

        The festival has more events tailored to children than ever before.

        Organizers are planning three-legged sack races, egg tosses, and the ever-popular parade that will go from Boone County High School to the government center.

        “They said they wanted it to be family oriented,” said Rita Bitter, an organizer of the children's games.

        “I play some of these games with my grandkids. A lot of kids don't even know about these games.”

        This year's theme for the parade is Y2K Y'all, and a Bill Gates look-alike will lead the way as the grand marshal.

        Part of bringing all the city's traditions together in the festival this year will be to limit the food booths to those restaurants in Boone County.

        “Because of the nature of being on city property, there will be no beer either,” Mr. Bushelman said.

        Organizers want this year's to be more like a hometown fair. “Neighbors meet neighbors, neighborhood kids meet neighborhood kids,” Mr. Bushelman said. “A parent isn't afraid to bring their kids.”

       

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