A stroll through Antique Jewelry Auction Darke County, Ohio Fairgrounds during the Annie Oakley Festival Antiques Magazines a feast for the senses. The sounds of BB guns and bursting balloons from the shoot-off and applause and hissing from the Melodrama fill your ears. Antiques, original artworks, crafts and just plain junk share space with fresh produce, used books and concession stands. Break for a refreshing iced drink, Auctions All an ice cream cone or enjoy some of that tantalizing barbecued chicken.
The 2007 Festival will occur on July 27-29 in Greenville, Ohio. It has something for everyone. The festival honors Phoebe Ann Mosey, better known as sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who became famous as a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Annie was born a few miles away and died in Greenville.
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings before the festival begins, teen-aged girls in imaginative costumes vie for the title of Miss Annie Oakley by firing BB guns at balloons. The contestant who hits the target from the furthest away reigns over the festival.
The Antiques, Collectibles and Farmer's Market runs from Friday through Sunday. The local Darke County Photo Club invites everyone to enter favorite photos in ten categories. Throughout the weekend, musical entertainment at the gazebo runs the gamut from country music to rock to religious music.
The nightly Old Tyme Melodrama features the typical helpless heroine and the villain the audience loves to boo. The tent is crowded for every performance.
History buffs enjoy the historical bus tour and visiting the Garst Museum, where a large area is dedicated to Annie Oakley memorabilia. The bus tour also visits Annie's grave in Brock, Ohio.
Other activities include a baseball tournament, a golf tournament, the Cancer Association's Run-Walk, the Ohio Fast Draw Championship, a Kiddy Tractor Pull and an historical encampment on the grounds. Children can visit the Old West Town set up for them, which includes rides on the Pumpkin Vine Railroad.
Festivities wind up on Sunday afternoon with a two-hour parade featuring Miss Annie Oakley and the runners-up, colorful floats, local bands, and the Shriners in their popular mini-cars.
Pat McCarthy is an instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature and the author of over a dozen books for children. Learn more about her books at her blog, http://www.PatMcCarthysAuthorBlog.blogspot.com If you have a question about writing for children, e-mail Pat at patmcbirder@woh.rr.com More resources for children's writers will soon be up on the blog.
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