By Nancy Young
Enquirer contributor

MASON - The Stoney 5K Walk/Run will get the 35th annual Mason Heritage Festival moving this Saturday.

The one-day downtown festival was initiated in 1965 to commemorate the city's 150th anniversary and became an annual tradition in 1968. More than 25,000 visitors are expected for this year's event.

The walk/run starts at 8 a.m. from Heritage Oak Park, followed by a parade at 10 a.m. A record 200 entries will participate in the parade, including 10 floats, six high school marching bands, soccer teams, cheerleaders and baton twirlers, local businesses, fire companies and politicians.

Activities will also include a Little Miss Heritage Contest, with judging at 11:45 a.m. Throughout the day, visitors will enjoy an interactive Kidz Zone with games, and booths selling crafts, food and beverages. The festival's highlight will be concerts by nationally known country music artists Rebecca Lynn Howard at 5 p.m. and Jamie O'Neal at 7 p.m. Both will perform on the Main Street Center Stage.

"We are thrilled that country radio station 96.5 FM has again agreed to be our partner," says Vickie Larcomb, who is chairing this year's festival. "Mason Heritage Festival is a family-oriented event - we don't serve alcohol or have gambling booths - and country music appeals to every member of a family."

All festival activities are free and open to the public.

A free shuttle will run from Mason Intermediate School on Tylersville Road.

Union Centre bash encore

WEST CHESTER TWP. - The first Union Centre Boulevard Bash was a hit, and plans are under way for next year's festival.

An estimated 20,000 people attended the inaugural event Aug. 9-10, said Raymond L. Buse III, spokesman for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. The Downtown Council, a division of the chamber, and the Union Centre Boulevard Merchants Association organized the food and entertainment festival.

Uncle Kracker highlighted this year's music lineup, and visitors also enjoyed basketball, corn hole, children's game booths and food from seven local restaurants. An afternoon downpour and muddy conditions didn't seem to hurt attendance this year.

With 15 restaurants open at Union Centre, just off I-75 in West Chester, and new ones being built, organizers expect more food choices next year.

Next year's event is set for Aug. 14-15.