Carnival rides or not, Morenci's Town and Country Festival has 'exciting lineup of activities'
MORENCI — The summer festival season in Lenawee County is about to get started thanks to Morenci’s Town and Country Festival, which opens today.
This year is the 44th annual festival in Morenci that continues Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15. Nearly all the events associated with the festival take place in Wakefield Park, 555 W. Main St.
A promotional flyer from the city of Morenci describes this year’s festival as having an “exciting lineup of activities and entertainment for attendees to enjoy.”
Because of what could be called a scheduling snafu, the carnival company that was to provide rides and other entertainment during the three-day festival, notified festival organizers almost two weeks ago that it would be unable to attend.
Longtime Town and Country Festival chairman Bill Foster described this news as a “kick in the pants” for not only the festival organizers but the community also.
“It blindsided us,” Foster said of the carnival being canceled. “All in all, it was a little hiccup, and we got through it.”
Giant inflatables are coming in from a company out of Toledo and will be used as a replacement for the absent carnival rides. Some of the highlights of the inflatables, Foster said, include a three-section obstacle course and many themed bounce houses.
The Morenci Town and Country Festival is a community event featuring games, live music, food and fireworks that take place the third weekend in June each year. Besides the work of Foster, civic-minded community volunteers help make each year’s festival a reality.
Saturday is the biggest day of the three-day festival with a variety of sporting events, a parade through town, a kids’ power-wheel-mud-drag competition, live concerts and the culmination of the festival with a “dazzling” fireworks display, scheduled for 10:20 p.m. Saturday evening.
Three new events to debut this weekend
A pickleball tournament, an arm-wrestling strongman competition and an adult grass volleyball tournament are three of the new additions to this year’s festival.
Wakefield Park’s new pickleball courts will host six different tournaments on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon. Tournament brackets are based on age and gender with partners being chosen by random draw. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-place winners only, and will be equal to half of the registration fees collected for each tournament.
The arm-wrestling strongman competition is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, and the competition invites participants to test their strength and endurance. Proceeds will support the Morenci football program. For more information or to register, contact Daniel at 517-320-1899.
The Morenci volleyball program is calling on all alumni and volleyball enthusiasts to participate in an adult grass volleyball tournament happening at 1 p.m. Saturday on the tee ball field. The tournament will feature 4v4 adult — 18 or older — co-ed teams, with rosters allowed to have more than four players. Teams must have at least one female and one male on the court at all times. The first-place winning team earns a cash prize.
Here’s what else is on tap during this weekend’s festival
A Queen’s Royalty Contest happening Thursday at 5 p.m. is Barbie themed and includes age divisions of 0-3 years, 4-7 years, 8-12 years and 13-18 years. Participants will compete in their divisions for the title of “Miss Town and Country Festival Princess or Queen.” Crowned princesses and queens are invited to ride in the parade on Saturday.
Morenci Little League teams will participate in baseball and softball tournament games providing a chance for families and fans to cheer on their little Bulldogs. Games are scheduled at 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and all-day Saturday.
Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 5 p.m. are the times for the frozen T-shirt contest, one of the Town and Country Festival’s most unique events. Teams of two are invited to participate in the challenge of thawing and wearing a frozen T-shirt as quickly as possible. “It’s entertaining for both participants and spectators,” the city of Morenci said. The cost is $5 per team and winners receive half of the total entry fees.
Saturday’s parade starts at 11 a.m. and will feature floats by businesses, community groups and pageant queens. All are welcome to participate.
Competitive games of cornhole will take place on the west parking lot at Wakefield Park beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. Registration begins at noon, and it is $10 to enter. Partners are chosen by blind draw with a 100% payout to the winning team. Contact Deryl at 517-403-7045 to register or for more information.
Children ages 3-8 are invited to the north end of Wakefield Park at 2:30 p.m., Saturday to race on the muddy course as part of the Kids’ Power Wheel Mud Drags. Each participant is entered into a drawing to win a Power Wheel. It is free for children to enter, and trophies are given to the first, second and third place finishers.
Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news, and high school and college sports content.
Two bands, Crossing Woodward and Lightning Rod & The Thunderbolts, will perform at the festival from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday night on the main stage. Both bands feature hometown Morenci residents with Chris Diccion’s Crossing Woodward making a repeat visit to the festival. Rod Wilson of Lightning Rod & The Thunderbolts also is a Morenci graduate, and he has been making music since he was a teenager.
Local merchants and food vendors will have booths set up throughout the festival grounds offering a range of products, crafts and food options for festivalgoers.
The Town and Country Festival committee, through its planning and execution, ensures the summer tradition in Morenci continues, the city said.
“These activities ensure there’s something for everyone, from thrilling rides and games to live music, contests and delicious food options,” the city said. “It’s bound to be an enjoyable and memorable event for the community.”
Any additional information about the festival weekend can be found by contacting Foster at 517-605-6546 or Jack Still at 517-438-0936.
“We’re festival ready,” Foster said.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Morenci Town and Country Festival is June 13-15 for 44th annual edition
