MADISON —
The 50th annual Madison Old Fashioned Days got under way Thursday evening with a parade that included horror film characters, a Chinese dragon, a Kaiser vehicle and political hopefuls passing out candy to citizens way too young to vote.
The parade, which took more than an hour to wind around village streets lined with thousands of people, marks the start of the four-day festival and end of a tradition. The committee responsible for all the work required to make the event happen has announced that this is Old Fashioned Days’ last year.
The event opens at 1 p.m. today with a craft show on the east end of the park.
With hot, humid weather predicted for all three days, the festival should have the blessings of Mother Nature on its swan song.
Activities this evening commence with a horseshoe pitching contest and Big Wheel races at 7 p.m. and music by Conestoga Band starting at 8 p.m.
Saturday events start off with a frog jumping contest at 9 a.m., more horseshoe pitching, a craft show, cake walk and baking contest.
Jungle Terry will entertain youngsters starting at 11 a.m., and there is a kite flying contest behind Homer Nash School at noon.
A pet show for children is 12:30 p.m., and a greased pole contest is 3 p.m. The King Pins Band performs at 8 p.m. Saturday.
A corn hole contest is 6 p.m. on Main Street.
Sunday events include the Madison Jazz Project at noon, games of the past at 3 p.m. and the band, Hatrick, at 3:30 p.m.
Madison Old Fashioned Days is held in Madison Village on Route 84. Motorists not planning to visit the festival would do well to avoid Route 84 during the festival.
West Main Street (Route 84) will be closed between the intersections of North Lake Street and River Street, will be closed from 2 p.m. to midnight today and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to police.
