By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

BUCHANAN – Rain or shine, people will take to the streets again this weekend with Buchanan’s annual Old Mill Festival celebration kicking off Friday.

Monroe Lemay, executive director of the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, which spearheads the event, said this year, “60 local and area businesses have contributed to the festival this year through sponsorships, donations and contributions.”

Officials took the current state of the economy into consideration while planning for the annual festival which brings residents and visitors to the city for various activities for the whole family as well as outdoor live musical performances.

“Everyone has been exceptionally generous even though the economy is so difficult and trying this year,” Lemay said.

Rather than looking into canceling the event completely, officials simply refocused their efforts on providing more free entertainment for the community.

“…It was agreed by all that the community needs this for its own morale and spirit,” she added.

One of the event’s annual highlights, a visit by WWA Wrestling had to be cancelled – but the festival is still filled with things to do.

It all starts Friday night, highlights include the crowning of Little Mr. & Miss Buchanan at 7 p.m.

Food vendors and a beverage garden will also open at 7 p.m. followed by a performance by the Van Dyke Revue at 7:30 and a Teen Band Challenge will command the attention of the audience 9:30 p.m.

The festival’s annual Redbud Challenge 5K Extreme Run will hit the ground running at 8 a.m. on Saturday with awards taking place at 10 a.m.

More details can be found online at the commerce website: www.buchanan.mi.us.
Even with the challenges of a tough economy, officials hope for another successful celebration in the city.

“I am amazed at how many people have come forward to help,” Lemay said. “If the weather permits, we should have a great three-day weekend event.”

Friday, Aug. 28
4:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Swiss Steak Dinner at the Buchanan Senior Center
7 – 7:30 p.m. – Crowning of Little Mr. & Miss Buchanan at Common Stage
7 – 9 p.m. – Kids Games at the common
7 – 10 p.m. – Food Vendors Open
7 – 11:30 p.m. – Beverage Garden Open and Coastline Craze Band
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. – Van Dyke Revue
9:30 – 11:30 p.m. – Teen Band Challenge

Saturday, Aug. 29
7 -11:00 a.m. – Breakfast at the First United Methodist Church, 132 S. Oak St.
7 -7:45 a.m. – Redbud Challenge 5K Extreme Run, sign up at common stage
8 – 10:30 a.m. – Redbud Challenge 5K Extreme Run starting at Days Avenue and Front Street, ending at the Common.
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Buchanan Farmers Market & craft vendors at the Common
10 a.m. – Old Mill Festival Extreme Run Awards at Common stage
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Bake Sale at First Methodist Church, 132 S. Oak St.
10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Street Hockey Shoot Out on Days Avenue
Noon – Parade starting at Smith & Terre Coupe to Front Street Ending at Redbud Trail
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Sloppy Joe Lunch at the Senior Center
Noon – 4 p.m. – Port-A-Pit Chicken at First Methodist Church, 132 South Oak St.
Noon – 5 p.m. – Storytelling, Wool Spinning, Fanning Mill, Net and Rug Hooking & tour of the Mill at Pears Mill
Noon- 9 p.m. – Ice Cream Social & Hot Dogs at First United Methodist Church, 132 S. Oak St.
12:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies at Common Stage, National Anthem – High School Band presentation of the Beautiful Home Awards
12:30 – 4 p.m. – Crafts, Bubbles & Stories at the Buchanan Library
1 – 2:30 p.m. – Buchanan’s Got Talent Competition, Sponsored by City of Buchanan
1 – 9 p.m. – Kids Games at the Common. Sponsored by Chemical Bank
1 – 4 p.m. – Sight Mobile – Giving Free Eye Exams, Sponsored by Buchanan Lions Club
1 – 6 p.m. – Health Van Ministry, Sponsored by Buchanan SDA Church
1 – 3 p.m. – Fireman’s Waterball Challenge on N. Oak St. in front of Teen Center. Sponsored by Abonmarche Consultants & SEMCO Energy
1 – 6 p.m. – Guitar Hero Teen 16+ Video Games. Sponsored by the US Army Recruiters
2 p.m. – Big Wheel Race on Days Ave. Sponsored by Chemical Bank
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Waffle Eating Contest at the Common, Sponsored by The New Carbon Company.
3:30 – 4 p.m. – Beard Contest Common Stage. Judging will take place at 2:45 at Guys & Dolls Styling Salon. Sponsored by Guys and Dolls Styling.
4 – 7:30 p.m. – D. J. & Karaoke on the Common
4 p.m. -Rubber Duck Race at McCoy Creek at the Common, Sponsored by Buchanan Band Parents
4 – 8 p.m.-Beverage Garden- Doug, Terry, Justin & Budd, Sponsored by Orchard on the Lake.
4:00 – 8:00 pm-Buchanan’s Great Classic Car & Motorcycle Cruise In on Front Street. Sponsored by Dale Rifenberg Agency and Denny’s Automotive.
8:00 – 11:00 pm -Yellowsub Marines VS Elvis @ the Common. Sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power & Cook Nuclear Plant
8 p.m. – Midnight -Don Savoie Band – Beverage Garden. Sponsored by K. Barker Enterprises.
9:30 p.m. (Dusk) – Fire Works – Downtown. Sponsored by Bosch Rexroth Corporation & DDA

Sunday, Aug. 30
8 a.m. – noon – Pancake Breakfast @ Senior Center. Sponsored by Buchanan Area Ministerial Association.
noon – 1 p.m. – Community Worship Service on Common Stage. Sponsored by Buchanan Area Ministerial Association.
1 – 2 p.m. – Craig Tornquist on Common Stage. Sponsored by Redbud Insurance Services.
1 – 6 p.m. – Kids Games @ Common. Sponsored by Chemical Bank.
1 – 6 p.m. – Food Vendors.
1 – 5 p.m. – Health Van Ministry Sponsored by Buchanan SDA Church.
2 -3 p.m. – Widow’s Mite Sponsored by Creative Financial Services; D. MottL Realty Group, LLC Lanny W. Fisher Law Office.
3 – 4:30 p.m.-Local Church Praise Choirs.
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.-Balos Family Gospel Singers, Sponsored by Country Heritage Credit Union.