BUTLER, Ohio — Enthusiasm is building for the Butler Community Fest, a two-day festival that will feature live entertainment and various activities.
The festival will be held Friday, Aug. 7 from 2-11 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. in the heart of the village, located in southern Richland County.
The Butler Area Merchant’s Association (BAMA), event organizer, has been hard at work to see that the festival is a success.
Judy Hammond, BAMA secretary, estimates that the village hasn’t had a festival since 2006, when the “Old Fashioned Days” festival was held.
When brainstorming for this year’s festival, Hammond said they focused on incorporating youth-friendly activities, such as table games, rides, contests, karaoke and a dunk tank.
Saturday morning there will be a 5K run/walk that begins at 8:30 a.m. Later that morning a parade will step off at 10:30 a.m., traveling down state Route 97 to Main Street. In the evening, there will be a hot dog eating contest co-sponsored by Richland Source and Ducky’s Pub and Grill from 5-6:30 p.m.
Local country singer Jessica Hannan will perform Friday night. On Saturday, EKG (Eggerton-Kastran Group) will entertain crowds in the afternoon, and the Jimmy Warner Band will perform that night.
“We were really tickled to get the three of them because that’s going to add some really good flavor to our festival,” said Hammond.
Vendors and refreshments will also be available.
There is no admission fee to attend.
People can donate to the festival via a GoFundMe account.
Proceeds raised from the festival support BAMA, a nonprofit organization that seeks to attract new businesses and grow existing business traffic in the Butler/Worthington township areas.
Hammond said BAMA hopes to continue holding this event in the future.
For more information about the Butler Community Fest, visit BAMA’s website or Facebook page.
