MARKLEVILLE — Markleville Jamboree and Town Rummage is planned for Aug. 3 and 4 in the town park.
The annual event, estimated to be more than 40 years old, is not as large as it once was back in the day, organizers said. In years past rural farmers gathered for several days to have home-cooked meals each night and raise money for charities and churches, including having a ham and bean dinner cooked in an old kettle.
Now the two-day summer celebration is more of a community gathering for people to mix and mingle while having a good time getting to know their neighbors, organizers said.
Jane Fox of Markleville has helped organize the event for the past 15 years and said everyone in and around the town is invited. The Jamboree is free of charge, except for food and some of the play areas for children.
“This is the first year the event is going to be just the two days,” Fox said. “But, it’s still going to be a lot of fun.”
Among the many happenings taking place is an “Honoring our Hometown Heroes” display at the park stage. Organizers are asking people to bring a photo with a few words about their local heroes (heroes must have grown up in or around Markleville).
Pictures, which must be dropped off at the park between 5 and 6 p.m. Aug. 2, will be used to decorate the stage. Call or text 317-258-5438 for more details.
Organizers also are looking for more vendors, such flea market, rummage and crafts. People from outside of town are welcome to set up at the park. Contact Dianna Smith at 317-258-5438 or [email protected] or Betty at 765-623-3553 for more details.
Smith moved to the town about 10 years ago and recalled the Jamboree as a fun event where people can gather and meet others in the community, Smith said.
Event dates and times include:
Friday, Aug. 3
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Booths open, rummage, crafts and sales; tractor show
4:30 to 8 p.m. — Psi Phi chicken noodle dinner and silent auction
6 p.m. — Opening ceremony, Markleville Cub Scout Pack 242;
Dedication of “Hometown Heroes” Memorial Stones for John Holmes and Cecil “Red” Powers
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Sign-up for baby/prince/princess contest (for children up to age 6); to enter, make a decorative container for money votes.
5 to 10 p.m. — Children’s inflatables; $5 bracelet good all night
5 to 10 p.m. — Greek’s Pizza and Beer garden
6:30 p.m. — Baby/prince/princess contestants announced on stage
6:30 p.m. — Softball game between Markleville Police Department and Adams Township Fire Department
6:30 to 7 p.m. — Sign up for children’s tractor pull in tractor show area shelter house.
7 p.m. — Children’s tractor pull begins
7 p.m. — Markleville free stage presents Matt McClintock
8 p.m. — Markleville free stage headliner: The Walker Band
8 p.m. — Tractor parade
9:45 p.m. — Raffle tickets drawn (need not be present to win)
10 p.m. — Movie “Wonder,” presented by Markleville Police Department on free stage; bring lawn chairs
Saturday, Aug. 4
8 a.m. — Rummage Booths open
8 to 11 am — East Christian Men’s Breakfast of eggs, sausage biscuits and gravy
9:30 a.m. — Parade lines up at the park; decorate in red, white and blue for American hero theme
10 a.m. — Parade begins
11 a.m. — Tractor pull begins
11 a.m. to noon — Sign-up for pizza-eating contest at shelter (Donation for entry fee goes back to jamboree)
Noon — Greek’s Pizza eating contest begins; compete or just have lunch.
The contest winner, whoever can eat a 9-inch cheese pizza the fastest, receives a trophy and one free pizza per month for six months. Categories are ages 12 and younger and ages 13 and older.
Noon to 9 p.m. — Inflatables open, $5 bracelet good all day; baby/prince/princess contest opens; tractor show, motorcycle show; free hay rides; Roseberry Coffee Café (ice coffee, sodas, blended coffee drinks, snacks and more); vendor booths open
Noon — tractor games in tractor area
2 to 9 p.m. — Sumo wrestling, $5 for two bouts
12:30 to 1 p.m. — Open stage, show your talent
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. — “Snakehead Ed” show features snakes from Africa, Asia, Australia, South America and North America
4 p.m. — Baby/prince/princess contest closes
3 to 5 p.m. — Studio 3 student bands, rock, country, pop. Members range from 10 to 15. Four bands will play 20 to 40 minutes each. The last band, “Phoenix,” is comprised of high school students.
5:15 p.m — All baby/prince/princess contest winners announced on stage. Prizes for each child present.
5:30 p.m. — Winners for motorcycle show announced.
6 to 7:30 p.m. — John Beatrice, country artist
8 p.m. — Corey Cox, country recording artist from Markleville; bring lawn chairs
9:45 p.m. — Raffle tickets drawn
