Old Clifton Days, Sept. 24-26

The traditional Old Clifton Days Festival planning is well underway. Three days of fun-filled events and entertainment are planned to start on September 24-26th. The big news... PORK CHOP DINNERS are back this year! After several years and numerous requests.. the pork chop dinner is back, a favorite festival tradition. We'll also be serving der Dutchman pies again in the community booth next to the shelter house, save room for dessert!

The entertainment schedule is jam packed with top notch performances. We'll kick off the festival on Friday at 4:00pm, with the Cedarville Youth Orchestra, led by Pamela Evans of Cedarville University. They will play in the Clifton Opera House. This group of 20 young people always gives a wonderful performance. At 5:00pm the Xenia husband and wife team called "Little Hippies" will perform in the Gazebo. Scott Hadley and Connie McBee have formed an acousitic classic rock group and that will make you nostalgic. They always provide a relaxed, fun atmosphere with a songlist of mostly sixties tunes but with plenty of seventies up to the present to keep the blend spicey! Scott, a classically trained guitarist, artfully arranges even the most rocking tune into an acoustic format losing none of the original energy. When Connie isnt singing with her big soulful voice, she plays tinwhistlle and percussion. Together they have a great vocal blend.

Another great husband and wife duo will follow at 7:00pm in the Shelter House. "Garcia and Scott", a Nashville duo are returning by special request! They rocked the Clifton Opera House in April and we had to get them back! Garcia and Scott deliver world-class entertainment with music in English and Spanish, male and female lead vocals and a melding of musical styles that literally leaves audiences begging for more. In short, Garcia and Scott ROCK! Dahlia toured with Julio Iglesia prior to forming this duo and Gary comes from a long line of singer/songwriters. Don't miss this duo! We'll close out the evening at 9:00pm with the "Soul Tribe Fire Dancers" from Yellow Springs. They will dance down Clay Street and entertain with their high spirited visual display.

The big parade planned for Saturday, Sep 25 will have many new entries. The parade starts promptly at noon and ends when the last straggler rounds the bend on Clark Street. The parade route starts at the historic Clifton Mill parking lot and winds it's way up Clay Street and back down to the mill.

A Chocolate Bake off is planned for Saturday and will be a high energy (sweet) event. The top three winning entries from the Adult and Youth division will be auctioned off as a fund raiser for the Clifton Opera House. There are three categories in the Adult class: Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate Fudge. The two age groups for the Youth Division will be making chocolate chip cookies. Make your family's favorite (made from scratch) chocolate fantasy. We won't ask for the recipe but we might as for another taste! The competition will be held on Saturday afternoon, prizes awarded at 3pm. Watch the judges choose the winners in the Shelter House from 2pm-3pm. We hope that it will become a new festival tradition.

Saturday's entertainment includes the 2nd annual "Sing for your Supper" Karaoke. This year we will be singing in the Gazebo so everyone can take part. Sing a song and win a restaurant certificate! It's simple and fun! Bring your talent and show Clifton how to it's done! There are no losers!

Saturday evening at 7pm, the "North River Band" will be playing in the Shelter House. Clifton's own Michael Smith formed the band last year to entertain at 2009's festival. Old time country and rockabilly tunes will keep your toes tapping. Sing along, everyone has at least one Johnny Cash favorite!

Sunday at noon, the Columbus based Loosely Strung will play bluegrass and gospel followed by local talent Rob Heiliger. Singer/songwriter Rob Heiliger sings country his own Clifton favorite "Walking to Clifton". The raffle drawing commences at 4pm, festival ends at 5. Visit www.villageofclifton.com for more information or call 937.342.2175.