FROM ADA ICON - It’s Harvest and Herb Festival weekend in Ada, with the event set from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Main Street.

The 34th annual Ada Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored festival should draws a large crowd. It will offer over 150 craft vendors (and growing), a kid’s area, parade, crowning of a festival queen and many food booths.

Helicopter flyover
Several new features are part of this year’s festival. The feature making the most noise is a scheduled flyover by a St. Rita’s-Mercy Health helicopter to signal the start of the 10 a.m. parade.

Twin parade marshals
Ada fifth grade twin sisters, Gabriella and Sophia, will lead the parade and will carry the festival banner. They are daughters of Garrett and Jennifer Fleming. This is the second year for the twin parade marshal tradition. Last year Bruce and Brian Marshall carried the festival banner.

Here’s the festival schedule:
• 6 a.m. – Main Street closed to traffic; open for vendor set up
• 9 a.m. – Craft booths officially open
• 9 a.m. – Parade line up at Ada school
• 10 a.m. – Festival parade down Main Street
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Kids’ area at railroad depot
     Includes face painting by Art Me, 38-foot inflatable obstacle course,
     Hickle pony rides
• Noon – crowning of Harvest and Herb queen, caboose area of railroad park
• Weather permitting – Findlay Corvette Club car display

While the event includes countless craft vendors, many Ada churches and organizations and Ohio Northern organizations also have booths. Another special feature, located in front of The Gallery for Arts, 115 S. Main St., is a portrait artist.

Streets closed
Ada's Main Street will be closed to traffic on the north end of Ada at State Route 81. The street will be closed on the south end at College Avenue. Streets crossing Main between SR 81 and College will be blocked off.

10 queen candidates
Ten candidates vie for the title of 2019 Ada Harvest and Herb Festival queen, according to Arlene Allison, coordinator of the competition.

The winner will be announced at approximately noon. The candidates completed an essay and were interviewed by a panel of judges recently. Each of the girls is an Ada High School senior. This year’s candidates follow with parents listed:

Katie Butterfield,
   daughter of Rick and Julie Butterfield
Nora Dellifield,
   daughter of David and Jamie Dellifield
Isabella East,
    daughter of Matt and Traci East
Kendal Guagenti,
   daughter of Francis and Kim Guagenti
McKenzie Long,
   daughter of Chad and Cathy Long
Isabella Mancuso,
   daughter of Bill and Melissa Mancuso
Josie Poling,
   daughter of Kyle and Lori Poling
Coco McLaughlin,
   daughter of Jim and Lisa McLaughlin
Tori Ross,
   daughter of Jason and Angie Ross
Dani Waugh,
   daughter of Kerwin and Martha Waugh