Assumption Fest

6-11 p.m. Thursday, June 26; 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday, June 27; 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28

Here’s a festival that’s been going on and growing for more than 80 years.

Originally called Assumption Homecoming, Assumption Fest continues to expand. This year there’s a new large carnival, more quality entertainment and a huge parade.

Festival president Angela Ohl-Marsters has been working on the fest for 31 years, and has attended the fair since she was 5 years old. A former queen in several fair pageants, she knows the ropes, and her experience and enthusiasm pushes her, along with a committee of seven, to make this a small-town fest that rivals its county cousins.

And Ohl-Marsters stresses, “It’s all free.” That free entertainment for all ages includes headliners country duo Cook and Belle on Saturday, June 28. The pair, who have played with greats such as Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels Band, Dirks Bentley and Rascal Flats and includes a fivepiece band with Seth Cook, a 2013 finalist on “The Voice,” takes the main stage from 7:30-9:30 p.m. They will sign autographs during intermission and after the concert. Also in the beer garden from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., is the popular Champaignbased country rock band Feuding Hillbilles (small fee). Seating is available for both concerts but you can bring your own lawn chair.

Assumption Fest opens Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. with an opening ceremony, national anthem, three pageant contests, a pet show and carnival. The pageants are huge, remarks Ohl-Marsters, but the pet show on Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. is possibly the largest around the area. Besides dogs and cats, Ohl-Marsters says there have been pigs, chickens and other pets entered to compete in many categories. “It’s a lot of fun.” She’s also excited to have Happy World Carnival, who will have 15 kiddie and adult rides and games. Wrist bands run $20. Single tickets are also available.

Saturday starts off with a parade that leaves Coalgrove Ave. at Central AM School at 11 a.m. and heads north on Popular, snaking west on North First Street, south on Hickory to Samuel Street and back to the middle school. Look for the Shriners, Shriners clowns, horses, bands, floats, multiple walking units and more. Ohl- Marsters boasts that what is “unique about the Assumption Fest parade is we get people from Decatur, Mount Zion, Shelbyville and many other places from all around.”

And folks come precisely because they know there’s more to this little fest than you’d expect. You can get your photo taken with a red Radio Flyer – a car that looks like the children’s wagon. There are food vendors, sand volleyball and washers tournaments, photography and flower shows, kiddie and garden tractor pulls, a Ronald McDonald Friday night magic show and meet-and-greet, Macon Raceway Pace Car, chain saw woodcarving demos and auction, an arts and crafts show, a huge flea market, Solution Action Sports free bike shows on Saturday at 1 and 4 and 6 p.m. and more.

If you’re looking for some affordable festival fare, Assumption is only about 45 minutes east of Springfield. From Taylorville take the Assumption blacktop or from Decatur take Route 51 south. Parking is free along side streets.