Since 1965, the village of West Liberty has hosted a Labor Day festival at Lions Park on the east side of the village. This year, the festival reaches an impressive milestone, as Friday marks the 60th annual installment.
West Liberty Lions Club Vice President Jake Vitt said that the festival was started in the late summer of 1965 by several local businessmen who wanted to host a simple and small home show, where local merchants could advertise their services to residents. Over time, it was decided to add a men’s slow-pitch softball tournament in an effort to grow the festival. Soon, local farmers who owned antique tractors approached the group about adding an antique tractor pull to the home show.
Vitt said that many people enjoyed the antique tractors, and soon, more and more antique tractor owners wanted to be part of the show. While the tractors continue to be an important part of the festival show, Vitt said it is no longer the central focus of the weekend:
Club Secretary Nicki Kimball said that the festival continues to grow from its roots, primarily because of the influence of new Lions Club members. As the local chapter grows and more people join, their perspectives have helped festival coordinators make sure that new features are added to the weekend.
In addition, Kimball said that the festival organizers are looking to grow the festival to include groups outside of West Liberty and Champaign County. For example, the Bellefontaine High School Show Choir will perform Saturday afternoon. In addition to growing the festival offerings, Kimball said that there is also a desire to grow the ranks of the West Liberty Lions Club by adding new members. Several new events have been added to this year’s festival, and some favorites have been expanded:
Vitt said many people feel that the festival is more like a homecoming than an end-of-summer party:
As in years past, the Lions Club is also sponsoring a raffle to win an Ohio State-themed gold cart. The drawing for the cart will be on Monday evening at 5:00 PM. In the event the winner is not there, he or she will be notified.
All weekend long, there will be activities at various places around Lions Park. These include Buck-A-Duck races, a wood carver, an antique sawmill demonstration, a flea market, a craft tent, and several food vendors.
The festival is also hosting a trolley service offering off-site parking at Grace Chapel, Bethel Mennonite Church, and West Liberty First Church of God.
Admission is free to events at the Park. Live Music events and Beer Garden entry tickets are $10, opening at 4 PM
Friday’s schedule of events:
- Classic Car Cruise-In from 4-8 PM
- Nifty Nineties Parade (for residents 90+ years of age at 5:30 PM
- Ice Crea Social from 5:30 – 7 PM
- Cox Pulling Garden Tractor Pull at 6:30 PM
- Bingo at 7 PM
- Cornhole Tournament at 7 PM
- High School Late Night Party (after West Liberty-Salem football game) at 9:30 PM
For more information about joining the West Liberty Lions Club or registering for one of the events, visit the club’s website by clicking here.
