| Focus on Fun |
| Summer Festival organizers hoping smaller is better |
| "Over the course of the 40-year festival, the length has increased and decreased," Summer Festival vice chairman John Pace said. "The festival is 40 years old. That in and of itself is no small challenge. It's a commitment to keep the event going."
Annual activities include tricycle races for children, chalk art and greased pole competitions, a photo competition, a youth triathlon, the Friends of the McCracken County Library book sale and Kids Day. Entertainment will be offered nightly on the riverfront. The concerts are free, but organizers request donations. "We try our best to get affordable nightly talent," Pace said. "Unfortunately that does cost money. The Summer Festival raises money, but there are a lot of festivals in this town now. It's very challenging for the Summer Festival to continue to bring in talent." Riverfront Entertainment Contemporary Christian July 26 6:30 p.m. -- Jordan Lindsey 7 p.m. - Special D 8 p.m. - Starfield Rock July 27 7 p.m. - Big Jim Slade 7:45 p.m. - Huck Johns 8:30 p.m. - Stephen Pearcy, former lead singer of 1980s metal band Ratt Country music July 28 7:30 p.m. - Jim Swick 8 p.m. - Heather Nicole Thompson 9 p.m. - Rodney Atkins Classic rock July 29 7 p.m. - Dirt Cheap band 8 p.m. - The Body and Soul Band Fireworks show immediately after concert Off-River Events Art Exhibit: Warks of British artist Graham Pellow, Just English Antique/Genesis Gallery of Fine Arts, 212 Broadway, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 26-27; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 28-29 Summer Festival Photo Competition Exhibit Tribeca Mexican Cuisine, 127 S. 2nd Street, July 21-Aug. 26 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. Paducah Summer Festival Photo Competition Reception, July 22 Pets and Toddlers Photo Shoot by MarkzPhotoArt. One free e-mail photo. Proceeds from print copies donated the Summer Festival July 26-28 - 10 a.m. to dark, gazebo at 2nd and Broadway July 29 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., gazebo July 29 - 4:30 p.m. to dark, Noble Park amphitheatre Paint Your Pet Exhibit, Right Angle Frame Shop and Gallery, 3038 Lone Oak Road, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26-29, free. Miss Paducah Summer Festival beauty pageant, 2 p.m. July 23, age divisions from birth to 27 for girls and birth to 10 for boys, J .R. ' s Executive Inn, $5 for adults and free for ages 12 and under. Miss Paducah Summer Festival will be presented during the riverfront concert on July 26. Daily Schedule Wednesday, July 26 "Three Little Pigs," 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Market Lunchbox Theatre at Market House Theatre; reservations suggested by phoning 4446828, $10 and includes burgers, hot dogs and ice cream prior to performance. Market House S Senior citizens ice cream social, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Paducah-McCracken County Senior Citizens Center, 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive; make your own ice cream sundae with toppings, entertainment by the Kitchen Band, all ages welcome, $3. Donut Eating Contest, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., all ages attempt to eat the most glazed donuts from Red's Donuts in 60 seconds, floodwall opening, free. Gazebo Gala Entertainment with Jordan Lindsay and the Southland Baptist Youth Choir, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., gazebo, free. Greased Pole Contest, 6 to 7 p.m., ages 5 to 15, riverfront plaza, free. Contemporary Christian concert, 7 p.m., free but donations accepted. Thursday, July 27 "Three Little Pigs," 11 a.m. and I p.m., Market House. Senior Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m., Morningside of Paducah, 1700 Elmdale Road, bingo, door prizes, open to ages 55 and above. Oreo Stacking Contest, 5 p.m .. , ages 5 and up, floodwall opening. Gazebo Gala Entertainment with Cooter Brown and karoake, 5:30 to 7 p.m., gazebo, free. Sidewalk Chalk Art contest, 6 p.m., contestants have 30 minutes to draw a scene using the Rock concert, 7 p.m., riverfront. Friday, July 28 Friends of the Library Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 211 S. 21st St. "Three Little Pigs," 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Market House Theatre. Habitat for Humanity Show of Homes, noon to 3 p.m., rides offered from 2nd and Broadway, donations accepted. Extreme Checkers, 1 to 3 p.m. people holding red and black umbrellas play human checkers in the parking lot of Residential Care Center of Paducah, 2301 Irvin Cobb Drive, $5 to play an opponent or $1 per person to form your own team, umbrellas and refreshments provided. Karaoke for Kids, 5 p.m., Jefferson and 2nd streets, free. Gazebo Gala Entertainment, 5 :30 to 7 p.m. featuring the Herzog Brothers and Lindsay Jackson, 2nd and Broadway, free. Paducah 200 Hot Wheels race, 6 to 7 p.m., bring your own unaltered Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars to the riverfront on 200 inches of track, open to ages 12 and under, Jefferson and 2nd, free. Men Who Cook Luau Party and Auction, 7 to 11 p.m.; 50 of the region's best amateur chefs cook, Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center, $75 per couple or $40 individual, benefits the Purchase Area Sexual Assault Center. Riverfront concert, 7 p.m. Hot Air Balloon Glo, 9 p.m., Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center lawn, free. Saturday, July 29 Hot Air Balloon Lift Off, 7 a.m., Noble Park, free. Aero Modelers Demonstration and Fly In, 9 a.m. to noon, free flight and radio control models on display, swap meet, demonstrations; at Model Air Park, County Park Road, off Coleman Road, free. Kids Triathlon, 9 a.m. to noon, open to boys and girls 7-14, Noble Park; advance registration $25, on-site registration $35; entries available at First National Bank locations, Bike World, Rehab and Associates and Paducah Parks. Friends of the Library Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 211 S. 21st St. Kidz Day in the Arts, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., lawn of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, free. Lowertown Classic Car "Show and Shine," 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., classic cars parked along streets in Lowertown, viewers may vote for their favorite cars inside artists' galleries, awards presentation at 2 p.m. at 7th and Madison. Military Comer Concert and Activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2nd and Jefferson, various athletic activities, concerts, appearance by the U.S. Navy Rap Van simulator. "Three Little Pigs," 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Market House Theatre. "Baby Doll" Check-ups and Family Games, 1 to 4 p.m., Learning Railroad, 2985 Jackson St. Cross River Swim, 2 p.m., riverfront, male and female swimmers compete for fastest time across the Ohio River; swimmers must meet prerequisite tests and be accompanied by a safety watercraft, ages 15 and up, free. Details: 444-8508 or 444-8539. Big Wheel Races, registration at 2:30 p.m., races from 3 to 5 p.m., Jefferson and 2nd streets, divisions are ages 3-4 on Big Wheels, 5 to 6 for tricycles and 7 to 8 for pogo sticks, free. Pet Parade, 4:30 p.m., Noble Park Amphitheatre; Cooter Brown will serve as master of ceremomes. Hot Air Balloon Lift Off, 6 p.m., Noble Park. Gazebo Gala Entertainment, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Me and My Son and Matt Zarb. Fireworks, following the concert. |
