WAYNETOWN — Waynetown is ready for its first-ever Waynetown Street Festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The event, sponsored by the Waynetown Merchants Association, will take place downtown with more than 70 merchandise vendors and a food court with 10 vendors.
Local residents are happy to see something back in the downtown area for the first time since the annual Fish Fry was moved to the Rev. Guy Tremaine Park in the mid-1980’s.
“We always hear the old-timers say they miss the Fish Fry happening downtown,” organizer Robin Pirtle said. “We came up with this idea and the response has been amazing. People are saying they are ready to get out and do something.”
Vendors are coming from all directions and will be offering a variety of merchandise.
“We have a lot of local vendors but also have some coming from Danville, Illinois and Parke County plus other places,” Pirtle said. “We really think we will have a good vendor show with who is coming.”
The food court, located just south of the stoplight on Washington Street, will have a variety of items including homemade baked goods, fried tenderloin sandwiches, grilled ribeye and hamburger sandwiches, barbecue sandwiches, walking tacos, buffalo chicken nachos, breakfast and meat calzones, cinnamon with icing bread sticks, apple crisp, rhubarb crisp, gelato, Dip-n-Dots and drinks.
The Waynetown Merchants Association wants to highlight Waynetown businesses on the main street during the event. The Antique Mall, Gregg’s Corner Market, Pizza King and Noel’s Gifts will be open. A large indoor yard sale will take place in the old furniture store building. Hidden Beauty Salon will have its grand opening.
The NEST Galleries, which is the art studio of avian artist Greg Garman, also will be open. An eclectic mix of mid-century modern objects and collectible antiques are also offered at the NEST.
“We wanted to shine a spotlight on our downtown businesses which is a big reason we sponsored this new event,” Waynetown Merchants Secretary Bob Cox said. “We believe we have unique businesses and we want other people to learn what we offer.”
Organizers will be raffling off a popular Henry rifle at their booth.
A raffle for a large afghan will be take place at the Waynetown Christian Church booth, with proceeds going to the church’s soup and food bank ministry.
Vendor booths will be located in a two-block area on Vine Street which intersects U.S. 136 in the middle of town. Parking will be on the side streets.
Organizers ask attendees to follow CDC guidelines for outdoor events.
Other organizations helping with the event are the Waynetown Volunteer Fire Department, Wayne Township Improvement 501c3 and the Town of Waynetown.
