The annual Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days Festival kicked off at 6 p.m. on Thursday, at Bruce Ream Memorial Park, 368 Terwilliger Avenue.
A color guard presentation was given by American Legion Post 680, Hampshire Amvets Post 91, and Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043.
Village President Jeffrey Magnussen attended the opening ceremony with Trustees Toby Koth and Mike Reid.
A 4 by 8-foot sign depicting the proposed Hampshire Veteran’s Park on Townhall Road was unveiled.
“The park would take about two years to complete,” said Magnussen.
Donations for the project are being accepted at the VFW booth at the fest.
According to former Hampshire VFW Cmdr. Lowell “Whitey” Reiser, the proposed park would have a contemplation pavilion and different branches of the military would be honored. The howitzer and World War II memorial sign from Ralph Seyller Memorial Park in Hampshire would be moved to the proposed park.
Reid, who heads the village’s public safety committee, talked about how steps have been taken to ensure safety during the fest.
The village was sprayed for mosquitoes the night before the event began. The fest was closed around 10 p.m. on Thursday before a thunder and lightning storm rolled through the Hampshire area.
“This year, the Hampshire Park District put in lightning detection systems at Bruce Ream Park and Seyller Park,” Reid said. “We also have an emergency evacuation plan. Hampshire Elementary School across the street from Bruce Ream Park is ready for us to use if necessary. Let’s have fun, and let’s be safe.”
Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days Festival Committee member Connie von Keudell said that the fest is bigger and better this year due to a number of improvements.
“We have new LED lights in the Whippur colors of white and purple from OogaLights in Hampshire,” she said. “There is a new stage ensemble and sound system and new fencing. We have 12 food booths and over 35 crafters with a wide variety of items for sale. We also increased the number of fireworks by The Mad Bomber by 50 percent into a half hour show on Saturday night.”
There is no admission charge to the fest. The entertainment lineup includes nine bands performing over the four days, a petting zoo from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and rides by Alpine Amusement Company on all four days.
Free pony rides at Tower Hill Stables will be given from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
More Top Picks Best Sunglasses With Uva And Uvb Protection
Two events at Hampshire Middle School, 560 South State Street, are slated for Sunday. The Hampshire Lions Club is holding a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Hampshire Parks and Recreation is holding its annual 2K/10K walk/run beginning at 8 a.m. at the school.
The grand parade starts at noon on Sunday. It is followed by a corn boil at Bruce Ream Park at 1 p.m. sponsored by Napa Auto Parts in Hampshire. There will be 4,000 free ears of boiled sweet corn.
“We thank the Hampshire Coon Creek Days volunteers for all that they do,” said Magnussen.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.