THIS YEAR’S THEME: “It’s a Festival Community…Americana Celebrates 35 years.”  The Americana Festival in Centerville - Washington Township, Ohio, will once again celebrate our Country’s Independence with a variety of activities for the entire family over the Fourth of July Holiday period. THE FUN BEGINS . . .

Sunday, June 21st – Miss Americana Talent Competition – Washington Township Town Hall Theatre, under the direction of Bridgitte Hatfield.  Call 287-5619 or email: bridgittef@aol for registration form and details.

Saturday, June 28 -- Sprint Race – 2^nd annual 100 Yard Dash Competition – CHS Football Stadium – Eight Fastest participants in each division invited to participate in Finals on July 4th.  Email Todd Hall at todd.h.hall@sbcglobal.net for registration.

Thursday, July 3 – Flag Ceremony A flag ceremony immediately before the Holiday Concert takes place at the Community Amphitheater at Stubbs Park at 7 p.m. with the Color Guard of Centerville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9550.

      Holiday Concert  - SPONSOR: CITY OF CENTERVILLE & CENTERVILLE ARTS COMMISSION Join us at Stubbs Park on West Spring Valley Road, an ideal location for picnics and outdoor recreation.  A special and free-to-the-public patriotic concert featuring the Centerville Community Band begins at 7 p.m. at the Centerville-Community Amphitheater.  Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for seating.  

Friday, July 4^th Pancake Breakfast  - SPONSOR: CENTERVILLE FOOTBALL MOTHERS

The Centerville Football Mother's Club will be hosting the 6th Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Cross Point Church, located on North Main Street across from Town Hall.  The breakfast will be held from 7:30 - 10:00 am and will include pancakes, sausage, applesauce, juice and coffee.  Tickets cost $5.00 and will be available at the door.  Kids under 3 are free.  This is a great way to begin the Americana Festival Day and support the Centerville High School Football program.

     Amateur Talent Contest at Town Hall Theatre. The Contest begins at 5:30pm at Town Hall, 27 North Main Street.  Sponsored by the Washington Township Recreation Center, categories include individual and groups age 13 and under, and 14 to 19 years of age.  Winners advance to the countywide competition at Fraze Pavilion in August.  Guidelines and entry forms are available at the Washington Township Recreation Center, 433-0130.

   5K Run  - SPONSORS: NEO LIMITS FITNESS, MIAMI VALLEY SOUTH HEALTH CENTER, and CENTERVILLE NOON OPTIMISTS. This entire event is managed and manned by over 70 volunteers from the Centerville Noon Optimists. The 5K Run starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Centerville High School Stadium on East Franklin Street.  In 2007 runners from more than 24 states participated. Gift certificates were presented to the top three male and female runners, plus awards were presented to the top three male and female runners for each age category. A high-quality race t-shirt was presented to all registered runners.  The race is on an accurately measured course and an electronic timing device is used. The race is completed in time for participants to enjoy the parade. In 2008, Pre-Registration will again be $13 for all individuals and will be due by June 26^th.  Applications may be printed from our website or you may register online at Keysports.net before June 26^th. Entrants coming the day of the race can register at the High School from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. The fee will be $20.  You should arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. to avoid the parade traffic.  Registration forms will be available at the NeoLimits, Washington Township Recreation Center, Woodbourne Library, Centerville Library, Washington Township Government Center, City of Centerville Municipal Office, Kettering Recreation Center, Kettering YMCA, and online at the Americana Website, or by calling the Americana Festival at 433-5898

     Parade!  The parade continues to provide the ultimate in family entertainment.  Entries this year will be based on the Festival theme,  “It’s a Festival Community…Americana Celebrates 35 years” The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on East Franklin Street at the High School, and proceed west to Cline Elementary School on Virginia Avenue.  It will feature bands, floats, and numerous mobile and walking units. Also in the parade will be the winners of the Miss Americana Competition.

     The Street Fair  - A Wide Variety of Activities for Young and Old Alike! Each year, the Street Fair continues to grow.  Featuring 300 craft and food booths, artists, musical entertainment and a children’s game and activity area, the Street Fair also showcases staged and strolling performers.  The arts, crafts and food booths are located on North Main Street, from Franklin Street north into Benham’s Grove, East on Iron Gate Park Drive and at the Park district Activity Center with the children’s activities.  Unique crafts including hand made jewelry, clothing, furniture and other woodcrafts, folk art, stained glass, artistry and many other enticements will be featured.  Food is always a major attraction at the Americana Festival Street Fair and offers many delicacies to appeal to all appetites!  Chinese, Cajun, Greek, BBQ Ribs, Turkey, Pork Chops, Ice Cream, Shake-ups, Hot Dogs, Kettle Corn, Candy, Fudge, Root Beer Floats, Chocolate Covered Bananas.  Foods can be enjoyed at sit-down dining locations, various other locations along the street, or you can stroll from booth to booth, entertainment to entertainment enjoying your favorite hand-held foods, snacks and beverages!  There will also be food vendors at Benham’s Grove, the Children’s Area and at the Fireworks!

     Antique, Classic & Custom Car & Truck Show  - SPONSOR: MARTIN GROUP DEALERSHIPS. Once again the Americana Festival is proud to present, in conjunction with the Martin Auto Group, the 2008 Americana Festival Auto Show.  This year the Auto Show will strive to be even bigger and better than previous years.  It will again include a wide variety of classic and late model automobiles, trucks and 2-wheel vehicles.  All vehicles will be on display during the Americana Street Fair starting at 11 am on July 4^th.  The Auto Show display area is located on North Main Street in Centerville and in Marion’s Piazza parking lot.  Consistent with prior years, the first 150 registered participants will receive a dash plaque,

T-shirt, complimentary lunch and goodie bag.  A drawing for door prizes will be held during the awards presentation at 4pm in the afternoon.  Trophy categories will include: Mayors Choice, Township Trustee Choice, Festival Award and Best of Show.  The top three finishers in each of the four People’s Choice categories will also receive a trophy.  Anyone interested in participating in the 2008 Auto Show is encouraged to visit the Americana web site for additional information and registration form. 

     Children’s Activities- SPONSOR: MIKE-SELL’S POTATO CHIP CO.   Bring your children or grandchildren to the Mike-Sell’s Children’s area at Activity Center Park.  A tremendous success in 2007, the Children’s Activities will again be at the Centerville-Washington Park Activity Center.  This allows for many new attractions for the kids! They will enjoy carnival-style games, a petting zoo, pony rides, large inflatable elements such as bouncy houses, a slide, moonwalk; a zero-depth “sprayground,” an all-access playground, climbing wall, laser tag and much more.  Still in the planning stages, this area will again be designed to entertain and feed children of all ages and their family. The children’s area of activities is FREE* and open 11AM to 4 PM.

·         There are some vendors on site that charge for food, crafts, face painting, etc.

     Entertainment  - To be announced. If you would like your group to be considered for festival entertainment, please contact the Americana Festival office at 937-433-5898. Or email americanafestival@sbcglobal.net.

     Washington Township Town Hall Theatre . . . will feature live family entertainment, including patriotic arts and crafts, games, balloons and Broadway style karaoke!  The A.C.T. Touring Teens will present a play (to be announced) at 1, 2, 3 and 4 PM on the main stage.