Don’t touch that dial! Don’t leave town this weekend without first considering your Bluffton options including a street fair celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. John’s UCC and the introduction of Bluffton History Day.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Lincoln Highway Buy Way Yard Sales, see Classifieds for local sales and http://www.historicbyway.com/
FRIDAY
7:00-10:00 p.m. Smeared Lipstick at Southgate Lanes
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. Bluffton Farmers Market
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. St. John’s UCC 150th Anniversary Street Fair
10:00 a.m. Free showing of Public Enemies at Shannon Theatre (Bluffton History Day)
11:00 a.m. and noon Retelling of Dillinger robbery at Main and Church streets by Fred Steiner
4:00 p.m.-midnight Vine St. History Day activities including food and beverages
6:30 p.m. Retelling of Dillinger robbery by Fred Steiner on Vine St.
7:00 p.m. Live music on Vine St.: Jesse Henry followed by Nancy Corle-Agner with Phil Gratz
CONTINUES WITH DETAILS
St. John’s UCC Street Fair
You’re invited to a community celebration of the church’s 150th Anniversary. A Street Fair will be held from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Street Fair will take place on West College Avenue between South Lawn Avenue and South Jackson Street, right next to the Church. Featuring food, entertainment, kids’ activities, crafts, games and historical displays, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Free hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and chips will be provided. There will be no fees for anything at the street fair. Those who would like to make a donation to support the mission of St. John’s can do so. Also available during the event will be Lugibihl’s home-made Ice Cream, 150th Birthday cupcakes, popcorn and more.
The 60’s Survivor Band will be on site with live music from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Enjoy a bounce house and inflatable obstacle course, face painting, kid’s crafts, M&R Putt-Putt Golf, GaGa Ball, corn hole and giant Jenga.
Bluffton History Day
On August 14, 1933, John Dillinger and his gang robbed the Citizens National Bank at the corner of Church and Main St.. During the incident an alarm and the town’s whistle sounded. Some twenty or thirty shots were fired during the robbery.
Given these details, you really can’t call this a celebration of Dillinger. But let local author Fred Steiner tell you why it's a chapter of Bluffton history that shouldn’t be forgotten. Steiner will sign copies of Four Guys Walk Into A Bluffton Bank at the Bluffton Farmers market. At 11:00 a.m. and noon, he will recount the incident at the corner of Main and Church streets. Seven individuals related to eye-witnesses will also participate and cars from the 1930s will be on display.
The new Bluffton, Ohio History Society will also have members on hand to provide information on their new non-profit organization which has the ultimate goal of establishing a Bluffton museum.
Later, Steiner will be part of 4:00 p.m.-midnight activities on Vine St. that include street food and Prohibition era cocktails. He will recount the robbery at 6:30 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. Bluffton native Jesse Henry will provide live music including the Ballad of John Dillinger. Nancy Corle-Agner and Phil Gratz will also perform.
