WATERVILLE – Downtown Waterville’s streets will be filled with vendors, music and activities on Saturday, Sept. 19, as the 53rd annual Roche de Boeuf Festival is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Come for the parade, stay for the music, kids activities, historical museums and hundreds of vendors and local organizations that will be set up,” said Michelle Smith, executive director of the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the festival.
More than 130 vendor booths and food trucks open at 9 a.m. and include nonprofit organizations, bakers, crafters and other businesses set up along both ends of Third Street and all of Farnsworth from the Trail to River Road.
Second Street will transform into Rue des Artistes, as the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission (AWAAC) welcomes a variety of artists, including Waterville photographer Jack Schultz, Mark Luebke‘s found object animal creations, glasswork from Mary Burget and Shannon Jones, jewelry by Sarah Voltz and miniature paintings by Joan Hetzner, to name a few. Copper Moon Studio will be on hand with a fused glass project for guests to make, while Sunshine Studios will offer products made by employees of all abilities.
The Classic Car Show takes place in the Shawn’s Irish Tavern parking lot, 105 S. Third St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost to enter is $10 the day of the show and includes free coffee and donuts, door prizes and raffles, 14 awards in 11 categories, and dash plaques. Music will be provided by The Entertainment Network.
The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Farnsworth Road “up the hill” near Waterville First Presbyterian Church, and will include the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals, local businesses, dance teams, sports teams, churches, Purple Star Generals, Scouts, nonprofit organizations, fire trucks and politicians. Bring a bag to haul your candy!
The America 250-themed parade will be led by the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals, the Whitehouse American Legion Post 384 color guard and this year’s special grand marshals – a group of 20 of the area’s oldest living military veterans who will ride on a trolley.
“This is our way of thanking our veterans for their service to our country,” Smith said, noting that the men and women range in age from 75 to 100.
Throughout the day, enjoy the numerous activities lined up in several areas of downtown: a kids area in Parker Square, food trucks on River Road, a dance stage at the corner of N. Third and Mechanic streets, the historical museums on S. River Road and Wakeman Hall, and in the Shawn’s Irish Tavern parking lot.
The kids area in Parker Square will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Waterville’s own Jackson Price bringing his backup dancers for a Michael Jackson performance from noon to 3 p.m. under the arch. Pop Star Hunters will stop by for a performance. With a $10 wristband, children can enjoy unlimited use of the bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals and horse and trolley rides.
The dance stage at Third and Mechanic will feature Defying Gravity from 11:30 to noon; Melissa’s Dane Academy, noon to 12:45 p.m.; Blue Grass Band, 1 to 1:45 p.m.; and Dance Fam and Latin Dance Studio from 2:45 to 4 p.m. Another group may be added from 2 to 2:45 p.m.
The Waterville Historical Society will offer two areas with activities and entertainment throughout the day. The South River Road campus features the Robbins House, Sargent House and Cobbler Shop, which will be open for tours. Outside the museums, guests can try their hand at making lace or tin-punching, and check out the military reenactors. The WHS will offer horse-drawn trolley rides on River Road. At Wakeman Hall, 401 Farnsworth Rd., guests can enjoy the free America 250 display featuring items from Waterville’s history.
Guests to the Roche de Boeuf Festival can park and catch a free shuttle service provided by Browning Masonic Community at two locations: Something Special Learning Center, 8251 Waterville Swanton Rd., and BlueSky Restorations at 1300 Michigan Ave. The shuttle service will be interrupted from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for road closures during the parade.
Smith thanked event gold sponsors Karnik on Black, Kaufman Engineered Systems and Thrivent/Pilot Wealth Partners for funding the activities to make many of the events free.
For updates on the festival, visit the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or visit watervillechamber.com.
Named for the large, buffalo-shaped limestone outcropping where meetings were held between the two groups, Roche de Boeuf means “buffalo rock” or “rock of beef.” That name also is used for the interurban bridge, which is undergoing a selective demolition by Kokosing, in preparation for a planned pedestrian and bike bridge to be placed on top of the arches.
On Friday, Sept. 18, the city will host a fundraiser for the Save the Bridge Association, which is coordinating with the city on the bridge’s transformation.
The evening includes a free concert in Parker Square by The Bridges, a high-energy classic and modern rock cover band that takes the stage at 7 p.m. Parker Square will have beer from Buffalo Rock, Chowders ‘n Moor margaritas and other refreshments on site.
On Friday night, Scout Troop 101 is hosting Run de Boeuf, a 5k and kids fun run. Registration begins at 5 p.m. in Parker Square, followed by a 1k kids race at 6 p.m. and 5k at 6:30 p.m. To sign up, visit runsignup.com/RDB.
For updates on the pre-RDB events, visit the City of Waterville Facebook page.
