MARKLEVILLE — Markleville Jamboree organizer Dianna Driver was watching people compete on a TV show one day when she had a eureka moment.

“I thought, ‘I bet we could do that,’” Driver said

That is how the jamboree, scheduled for Aug. 5-7, got its newest event — a handful of compeitive challenges, such as who can complete a Mr. Potato Head the fastest while blindfolded, and who can put the most socks on one foot in 30 seconds.

The challneges, set to start at noon Saturday, Aug. 6, could lead to a level of fame for participants.

People will be competing with their fellow fair-goers, but ultimately they will be in the running for a county record and even a world record, as in the Guiness variety.

“I tried to choose records from the Guiness Book of World Records that weren’t that hard,” Driver said.

In addition to the toy assembly and sock challenges there will be:

– What team of two can make the most complete leapfrog jumps in one minute? (Driver said the record she found was 57)

– Who can stack the most coins in a tower in one minute? (Record, 75 )

– Who can completely open the most canned drinks with a ring pull in 30 seconds? (Record, 59)

The record for the Mr. Potato Head challenge was 15 seconds, Drive said, and for the socks challenge it was 28.

“We usually have those eating contests, so I thought ‘Why not do a Guinness record,” she said, referring to past pizza and hard boiled egg eating contests.

Driver said the results of the challenges will be used establish a Madison County record, and Markleville will then approach other town’s with festivals coming up to see if they’d like to try to beat the times.

Markleville will also follow the Guiness rules of video recording and timing events, as well as having local town officials present as witnesses, so that if someone breaks the existing world record, it has the the required evidence to submit.

If a world record is set, the town will submit the application for recognition.

The jamboree challenges will be open to all, and there is no cost to compete.

There are also a few other new things set for this years jamboree, Driver said.

– Saxophonist Gordon Brooks will perform on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday

– Interpretive Naturalist Gwyn Zimmerwill be at the Mounds State Park booth (where there will atlatl throwing the second year) at 4 p.m. Saturday

– Almost Heaven Farm Animal Sanctuary in Hancock County will run a petting zoo from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday

The theme of this year’s jamboree is “Blooming Friends.”

People are invited to bring photos of themselves and their friends to decorate the stage at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. Photos will remain up until noon Saturday.

Jamboree schedule

Friday, Aug. 5

4:30-7:30 p.m. — Psi Phi Sisters Chicken Noodle Dinner and Gift Card Tree Raffle

5 p.m. — Tractor Show opens! All entries will receive a plaque.

5 p.m. — Concessions and booths open. Raffle tickets and jamboree schedules are available at information booth.

5 -6:30 p.m. — Sign up for Kids’ Tractor Pull and Obstacle Course Race. Ages 5-12 years in the Tractor area shelter house. Games begin at 6:30 p.m. Top two win prizes.

6 p.m. — Opening ceremony, flag ceremony presented by Boy Scout Troop 232

National Anthem and learn about our new Community Building Dream!

5 p.m. (though noon Saturday) — People can place entries in the Arts and Crafts Show at the information booth. Any age can enter, and there will be a People’s Choice vote. People should include a tags on their pieces that include name and phone number, and whether they would like their item returned or donated. There will be having a sale of items donated at 5:45 p.m. Saturday after winners are announced. Proceeds benefit the jamboree fund.

Arts and Crafts Show display and People’s Choice voting will be near the information booth in the shelter house.

5 p.m. (though noon Saturday) — People can sign up at the information booth for Pet Prince/Princess Contest. To enter, one must make and bring a decorative container for money votes that includes their pet’s picture. Indicate whether your pet is a boy or girl. Any size, any age, any type of pet can can enter.

Prince/Princess winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, after the Pet Parade. (Winners are determined by money vote amounts. Proceeds benefit the jamboree fund.

Saturday 6th-5:00PM Pet Prince/Princess Parade! Bring your pet or decorative entry and Parade across the stage and introduce them. Costumes optional.

5 p.m. to noon Saturday — Sign up for a chance to set a Madison County record or break a world record

6:30 p.m. — Softball game between arkleville Police Department and Adams Township Fire Department (Guns versus Hoses)

6:30 p.m. — Kids Tractor Pull and Obstacle course begins

6.:30 p.m. — Kid’s inflatables open ($5 bracelets good all night)

7:30 p.m. — Free stage entertainment: Gordon Brooks

Saturday, Aug. 6

9-11 a.m. — East Christian Church Men’s Breakfast — Eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy

Motorcycle show — All bikes are welcome! Trophies and plaques will be awarded. Motorcycles will be entered and parked on cement at the basketball court.

11 a.m. — Parade line-up in the park; theme of decorations is wildflowers/blooming friends)

11:30 a.m. — Parade begins

Noon — Booths/concessions open

Noon to dusk — Kids’ inflatables open ($5 wristband good all day)

Noon — Pet Prince/Princess- Taking entries and Peoples’ Choice voting opens; Art and Crafts Show — Taking entries and People’s Choice voting opens

Noon — Sign up to break a world record and set a Madison County Record! Any age can enter free of charge

1) What team of two can make the most leapfrog jumps in one minute?

2) Who can beat the fastest time to a Mr. Potato Head while blindfolded?

3) Who Can stack the most coins in a tower in one minute?

4) Who can open the most canned drinks with a ring pull in 30 seconds?

5) Who can put the most socks on one foot in 30 seconds?

12:30 p.m. — Let the record-breaking begin

1-4 p.m. — Children’s activity area with games, giant bubbles, cornhole and more

2:30-3:30 p.m. — Hedgehog Hannah Animal Show. An interactive show with 10 amazing animals

3-6 p.m. — Almost Heaven Farm Animal Sanctuary petting zoo

4 p.m. — Mounds State Park Interpretive Naturalist Gwyn Zimmer

4 p.m. — Pet Prince/Princess contest closes

5 p.m. — Pet Prince/Princess Parade. Bring your pet or decorative entry and parade across the stage and introduce them. Costumes optional

5:30 p.m. — Pet Prince/Princess Winners announced on Stage

5:30 p.m. — East Christian Church “Taco Bar”

5:45 p.m. — Arts and Crafts Show winners announced, Arts and Crafts SALE.

6 p.m. — Quiz Bowl Games on free stage

7 p.m. — Free stage entertainment: Hunter Smith

8 p.m. — Free stage entertainment: Matt McClintock

9 p.m. — Raffle ticket winners drawn and announced on stage

Sunday, Aug. 7

10:30 a.m. — Community Church Service (North Christian Church, East Christian Church and Brightpoint Church)

Noon — Tractor pull, check in starts at 10 a.m.