By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - Y'all come to Florence this weekend, ya hear.

Starting Friday, the 24th annual Florence Y'all Festival will fill Main Street with crafts, food, games and music.

Each year, thousands come to town for the festival, which includes fireworks, pageants and a parade.

"It's a good opportunity to get out and see your neighbors that you haven't seen since last year's festival," said Florence Mayor Diane Whalen.

The festival, which takes its name from the wording on the water tower in front of Florence Mall, began 24 years ago as a celebration of the city's 150th birthday - and "it's been going on ever since," Whalen said.

In 1974, the water tower originally read "Florence Mall." But the state highway department said it violated regulations because the mall hadn't been built yet. So it was changed to Florence Y'all.

Melodee Merrell's family has been involved in the Y'all Festival since it started. She was in the first beauty pageant and is now the festival chairwoman.

Saturday, Bruce Wilburn will perform a "Tribute to Elvis" from 7 to 9 p.m. Also Saturday, the Little Mr. Florence, Little Miss Florence and Junior Miss Florence pageants will be held.

On Sunday, a parade will go from Boone County High School to the Florence Government Center. The parade, with bands, floats, Corvettes and beauty queens starts at 2 p.m.

From 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Monday the Florence Community Band will play as a prelude to the 9 p.m. fireworks. The fireworks will be in honor of Merrell's late mother, Sharon Grubbs, who volunteered at the festival for years.

"She loved it," said Merrell, who is also a city councilwoman.

There are several new things this year, including a cornhole game and a fried bologna stand.

"People are so excited," Merrell said.

"This is something we all remember eating."

Merrell hopes some of the people coming to Florence to visit the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall, which is at the Florence Government Center this week, will venture over to the festival.

"We encourage everyone to come have a good time and enjoy the festival," Merrell said.

If you go

Where: Main Street between Banklick Street and the Tri-City YMCA at 212 Main St.

When: 6 p.m. Friday - 9 p.m. Monday

Parade: 2 p.m. Sunday from Boone County High School to the Florence Government Center.

Fireworks: 9 p.m. Monday

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com