Win a new car and have a great time!
The Leo Lion to be the Harlan Days Parade Grand Marshal
The Leo Lions mascot has been around for a long time. There has been a school in Leo for over 100 years and the lion mascot has become a huge part of the schools’ tradition. Recently, the students have nicknamed the mascot ‘Brian the Lion’ and it has caught on and the students have had fun with that. Students take turns wearing the costume at ball games and ‘Brian the Lion’ has even made some community appearances. ‘Brian the Lion’ and the entire school community is honored that the Leo Lions mascot has been chosen as the Harlan Days Parade Grand Marshal this year. Senior, Logan Leiter, is wearing the costume for this year’s parade. Logan is an excellent student, an outstanding citizen, and a two sport athlete. Logan represents everything good about young people and will make the residents of Harlan very proud. Good luck to all and remember that it’s a great day to be a lion! Come out to see ‘Brian the Lion’ lead the Harlan Days Parade on Saturday, August 2 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Bekah Bradley to perform at Harlan Days
Back by popular demand at Harlan Days this year is Fort Wayne’s very own Bekah Bradley! Bradley has become a crowd favorite at many local events, spellbinding audiences with her remarkable, powerhouse voice.
Bradley’s dynamic talent has earned her top awards in some of the country’s top singing contests, including the Texaco Country Showdown. Over the past year, Bradley has continued to compete in area competitions and has also toured the region showcasing her original music.
In April, Bradley released her first self-titled album. The album includes seven original songs recorded with country music’s top Nashville studio musicians. The launch of her first album has been very successful, and you can purchase the album on iTunes, Amazon, and other music sites. Or, you can order a physical copy of the album from www.bekahbradley.com
Bradley has already become one of country music’s sweethearts on the local music scene. She is a performer that is a must-see, and will be on the main stage at Harlan Days on Thursday, July 31st starting at 7:00 p.m.
There is no charge for the Bekah Bradley show at Harlan Days. For other tour date information, check out www.bekahbradley.com
K-9 Demonstrations at Harlan Days
Corporal Harris of the Allen County Sheriff’s Department will be giving K-9 demonstrations on Saturday, August 2 from 3:00–4:00 p.m. just east of the midway rides. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department has a top notch K-9 program and Harlan Days is fortunate enough to have them participating in the fair again this year. Please come out to the K-9 demonstrations and see the variety of skills these officers possess.
The Bel Airs to Perform at Harlan Days
The Bel Airs will be performing on the Harlan Days midway stage on Friday, August 1 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
The Bel Airs, perennial favorites at Harlan Days, consist of Rocky double slappin’ on the dog house bass, Stix on stiletto skins, Cousin Elroy channeling Johnny & Carl on lead git-fiddle, Tim croonin’ the vocals and strummin’ the rhythm, and J.J. on the howlin’ squeeze box. The Bel Air family crest just proclaims: “Whoo Hoo!”
The Bel Airs, who have been playing steadily for about 30 years, are ruthless in the preservation of our Rockabilly Heritage. Webster (and now Wikipedia) defines Rock-A-Billy as the “… purest American music form… “having an era of only three years in the 50s, becoming the origin of Rock & Roll, and spawning such originators of this style as: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and scores more.
Back “in the day”, The Bel Airs are internationally distributed recording artists on The Mystery Train label (“if it’s a Hit, it’s a Mystery”). Their version of Rosemary Clooney’s “This Ole House” broke the top 20 dance hall hits in England. The Bel Air original song “Anna Lee” places in the prestigious Top Ten New Songs of 1996 by Continental Restyling magazine!
The Bel Airs have opened shows for original and legendary Rock & Roll artists Bo Diddley, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, and Texas Rockabilly legend Ronnie Dawson. The Bel Airs are privileged to have shared the stage with fellow, contemporary Rockabilly artist High Noon, Wayne Hancock, the Big Six and Robert Gordon.
Mike Hemmelgarn to Entertain at Harlan Days
Mike Hemmelgarn will be performing on the Harlan Days midway stage on Saturday, August 2 from 8:00–8:45 p.m. and then will continue performing while roaming the fairgrounds from 8:45–10:15 p.m.
Mike’s shows are constantly evolving and change according to the needs of your audience. As one spectator exclaimed, “You never know what’s going to happen next!” Among the characters you are likely to meet are Butterball the paranoid turkey, Casey the ballistic duck, a 92 year old mid-western farmer named Herman, or Spud, a quick-witted and wildly entertaining ventriloquist puppet. Spud loves to involve into real live puppets – you’ve got to see it to believe it!
The show builds to the dramatic finale where Mike juggles a bowling ball, apple, and flaming torch… while eating the apple! (This is done after performing the chicken dance while balancing a bowling ball, apple, and knife on his forehead!) Mike also juggles everything from balls and juggling pins (with his own unique style, of course!) to bowling balls (one of which he mysteriously removes from a standard-sized briefcase), and even juggles ping-pong balls with this mouth!
The highlight of many shows is Rosie – an eccentric grandmother puppet, Britney Spears wannabe, and former high-fashion model – who always provides world-class comedy wherever she goes! Add a touch of magic, music, and audience participation to this high-energy show and you have lots of fun for everyone! Mike’s shows have consistently received standing ovations at banquets, corporate and club events around the country, as well as praise from teachers and school administrators.
Mark’s Ark appearing at Harlan Days
On Friday, August 1, Mark’s Ark will be appearing at Harlan Days. He and his many animals will be on the Midway Stage from 5:00–5:45 p.m.
Are you ready for a hands-on, LIVE animal presentation? Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and bugs… Oh my! Mark Kohlhorst, of Mark’s Ark, will be bringing not-so-common, people friendly animals to Harlan Days. His presentations are well known to be very interactive with the audience and are chuck full of interesting and weird facts about the animals he will show. The presentation is for the whole family so you won’t want to miss it! The animals can’t wait to see you!
And what would it be without the food?
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It will be a fun weekend for everyone!
