LEXINGTON — Whether you’re looking for live music, blueberry-inspired fair food or affordable entertainment for all ages, the Lexington Blueberry Festival has something for everyone.
The fun kicks off Thursday at 4 p.m. at Lexington Community Park. Highlights include the Miss Blueberry crowning and local athlete meet and greet on Thursday, car show on Friday, fireworks on Saturday and a parade on Sunday.
Rides, attractions and food will be available Thursday and Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Event steward Jeff Angelini said this year’s festival includes more even food vendors and one of the best live music lineups in the event’s history.
Festival organizers are also trying out some new attractions this year. Traditional mechanical rides have been replaced with inflatables, including a slide, obstacle course, and bounce house. The inflatables will be staffed by LifeWise Academy, with proceeds benefiting the religious education program.
All-day wristbands for the inflatables will be available for $5.
The event will also include new athletic competitions operated by Ohio Social Sports, as well as retail and arts and craft vendors.
There will be three parking areas available for the festival — one by the soccer fields on the north end of festival and two south of Sherwood drive. Wheelchair accessible parking is available at the nearest side of the main parking lot, at the top of the hill across the street nearest the sidewalk in the grass parking lot and by the ball diamonds.
The full schedule for the festival is available below.
Thursday
Ricky Mitchell will take the stage at 5 p.m., performing live music until 6:15.
The Miss Blueberry Pageant crowning will follow at 6:30, emceed by Miss Richland County Kylie Gottman. Gottman is a Lexington High School graduate and recent contender in the Miss Ohio competition.
A blue light and bubble parade begins at 8:45 p.m., sponsored by Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
A meet and greet with Lexington’s fall sport athletes runs from 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.
CosmicWheels brings nostalgic tunes to the main stage from 9:45 to 10:45 p.m.
Friday
The car and bike show runs from 6 to 9 p.m.; registration line up begins at 5 p.m
Local singer songwriter Sarah Goff will take the stage at 4:30, performing until 5:45 p.m.
Ohio Social Sports will operate a home run softball derby, with the first pitch thrown at 6 p.m. The event is free, but participants must preregister.
Seventy80, a classic rock cover band featuring the music of Journey, Styx, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and more, will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Recess, a theatrical pop/alternative band based in Cleveland, closes out the night, taking the stage at 9:15 p.m.
Saturday
Ohio Social Sports will run its King of the Court sand volleyball tournament, starting at 9 a.m. The event is free, but participants must preregister.
The Jevan Cole Band will perform. live from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Children’s Coin Drop runs from 1 to 1:30 p.m., sponsored by Park National Bank.
An hour of children’s games, also known as the Blueberry Bash, begins at 1:30 p.m., presented by Appleseed Valley Clear Fork Veterinary.
The Big Wheel Race follows at 2:30 p.m.
GYMGUYZ will offer a presentation from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
Crazy Gringos will perform from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. The eclectic band plays anything from blues, modern rock, classic rock, reggae, originals, Latin, country, Motown, jazz, the old standbys or any combination, according to its Facebook page.
Shout at the Metal will make its debut performance at the festival at 6:30.
Tracy Roese will follow at 8:45 p.m, playing before and after the fireworks show. Pyrotechnics begin at 10 p.m., sponsored by Charter Next Generation.
Sunday
The final day of the festival begins with a church service, held on the main stage by Berean Baptist Church.
The celebration Sunday Funday parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Amber Cleveland – 10th year doing pageant, will be grand Marshall
Visiting royalty from festivals across Ohio will be onsite from 3 to 4 p.m., offering locals a chance to learn about other chances for festival fun.
Hometown sister act Sorelle will wrap up the live music performances with a set at 4 p.m.
