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Question: What’s 98 years old and still as fresh as the day it was born?
Answer: The Bluffton Free Street Fair & Agricultural Exposition!
The Street Fair returns for its 98th run starting Tuesday but already Sunday the streets were being blocked off and the army of workers who turn Bluffton’s downtown streets into Wells County’s brief version of Mardi Gras were swarming the midways.
Now that Hurricane Ike has passed with its 40-plus mile-per-hour wind gusts and heavy downpours of rain, the forecast appears to be clear sailing with seasonal temperatures in the 70’s and nighttime lows in the 50’s with sunny skies and starry nights.
The fair officially kicks off Tuesday with the Grand Opening Parade. This year’s parade features 69 entrants—two fewer than last year—but promises once again to be a delight and source of grand entertainment for the throngs of people who are sure to crowd the midway Tuesday night.
Street Fair officials have announced the lineup. The parade will begin at 7 p.m.
1. Bluffton Police/Wells Co. Sheriff
2. Indiana State Police/ISP Motorcycle Unit
3. American Legion Color Guard
4. American Legion Post 111
5. American Legion Auxiliary
6. Bluffton Fire Department (with marching unit)
7. Wells County EMS
8. VFW Post 2809
9. Chester Township Fire Department
10. Liberty Center Fire Department
11. Markle Fire Department
12. Nottingham Township Fire Department
13. Ossian Fire Department
14. Uniondale Fire Department
15. Rising Stars Baton Corps
16. City Officials
17. County Officials (2)
18. 4-H Officials
19. Street Fair Band
20. Street Fair Officials
21. BHS Cheerleaders carrying Theme and Grand Marshal Banners
22. Grand Marshals - Joe and Barb Smekens
23. Bi-County Services (2)
24. Ed Higgins’ Mayberry Sheriff’s Car
25. River Terrace Estates (2)
26. Welches’ All-Vehicle Repair
27. Kourtney Reed – Miss Wells County
28. Habitat for Humanity
29. Charlie the Cardinal & Adams/Wells Ball State Alumni
30. Norwell High School Band
31. Heritage Pointe and Red Hatters
32. Southern Wells Cub Scouts
33. Cheryl Zeis for B-H School Board
34. Wells County Creative Arts School of Ballet
35. Meadowvale King and Queen
36. Pizzazz
37. Berne Chamber of Commerce
38. Southern Wells Community Church
39. IPFW Mastadon
40. Wells County Historical Society
41. Wells County Girl Scouts (4)
42. Wells County Republicans (6)
43. Bluffton Parks and Recreation
44. Zaboo the Magic Clown
45. Wells County Cub Scouts
46. Boy Scout Troop 140
47. First Church of Christ
48. Heads Up Hair and Tanning
49. Bluffton High School Band
50. Arizona Zent (1st Runner up National Baby Contest)
51. K-Zoo (Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo)
52. Caylor-Nickel Clinic
53. MarkleBank
54. Wells County Democrats (2)
55. National City Bank
56. All-Star Greyhounds
57. Scott’s Foods
58. John Vanderkolk for B-H School Board
59. Bluffton Regional Medical Center
60. Covenant Christian School
61. Mountain Storm Martial Arts
62. Icy Komet
63. Wells County Public Library
64. Southern Wells Band
65. Veterans for Earned Healthcare
66. Wells County Boys’ and Girls’ Club
67. Bev’s Calliope
68. Northern Indiana Road Riders
69. Norwell Drum Line
9:00 - Judging - Culinary & Needlework, Fine Arts & Crafts - City Building
2:30 - Judging - Flowers & Agriculture - City Building
5:30 - Voices Of Power - Main & Market
6:30 - Street Fair Band - Concert & National Anthem - Main & Market
6:30 - LITTLE BUCKAROO SHOW (riders 9 & under) - 4-H Park
7:00 - Grand Opening Parade - Grand Marshal - Joe Smekens - Midway (Parade Float Award Presentation after Parade) - Stage - West Washington
8:00 - Street Fair Band - Johnson & Washington
9:30 - Street Fair Band - Main & Market
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