The Oakwood Homecoming has been the happening thing over Labor Day weekend for 98 years. This year there will be a ‘Groovy Homecoming’ in Oakwood as they remember the 60’s for the weekend theme. Volunteers work tirelessly to compile a schedule that will include annual hometown favorites while trying to incorporate something new each year. This year the new events involve golf and golf carts. On Saturday morning there will be a 4 person Golf Scramble held at Auglaize Golf Club beginning with registration at 8:00. Sunday at 3:30 there will a Golf Cart Obstacle Course, and decorated golf carts are encouraged to enter the parade on Monday.
Prior to the weekend festivities everyone is invited to participate in ongoing contests. A photo contest with the theme “All You Need Is Love” asks that framed pictures, a minimum of 5×7, be submitted to the library by August 28 with monetary prizes awarded.
An “Upcycled Art Contest” is asking for creations using only recycled materials such as bottles, buttons, glass, cans, etc. These, too, should be submitted to the library by August 30. Another popular event is the Landmark search. The pictures for this contest can be picked up at the library.
Good food is key to summer festivals and there will be ample opportunity to find it in Oakwood over the weekend. The firemen with kick off the weekend with their annual breakfast from 7-11, the Legion will serve their annual breakfast from 7-11 on Sunday, and the Twin Oaks Methodist Church will have a buffet following the parade on Monday. The Homecoming Food Stand will be open all weekend beginning Saturday at 6:00. Other food available throughout the weekend will be the popular loaded baked potatoes and ice cream served in the Community Room at the library, tacos in a bag by the Boy Scouts, food by the FFA at the Tractor Pull on Sunday, free popcorn by Auglaize Chapel on Monday before the parade, and the ever popular Lemon Shake Ups!
Most, but not all, of the events on Saturday will be held away from the Big Tent in the park. Golfers are asked to pre-register their four person teams by August 28 by calling 419-594-3548. There will be a Bass Tournament from 7-11 at the river. Stories will be shared of local families at the Cemetery Walk held at 10:00 at Sherman Cemetery. The River Poker Run will begin at 1:00 at the boat docks with the last boat out at 2 and ending at the Sand Bar with prizes of $100, $75, and $50. Each entrant will also receive a Duck Race ticket. Back in town kids can meet at 4:00 to make some ‘Groovy’ DIY projects and then join in the Youth Fishing Derby at 5. Bingo begins at 6:00 followed by an event that was new to the weekend last year including music and wine tasting. The ‘Mix & Mingle’ will start at 7:00 with Ed Fry and special guests providing the music. Some class reunions are planning to meet there with the invitation open to all to meet for an evening of reminiscing with friends and former classmates.
Sunday at 8:00 participants will meet in front of the library for the Annual Health Walk. There will be time to eat breakfast at the Legion before heading to the Tractor Pull at 10:00 on the East end of town, or Church Services at 10:30 in the Big Tent. Pageants begin at 12:30 with The Little King & Queen, followed by Little Miss Oakwood at 1:30, and Miss Oakwood at 3:00. At 2:00 there will be Community Recognition honoring the Grand Marshals and Mr. & Mrs. Oakwood, and also announcement of the recipient of the Taylor Award presented by the EMS. The Grand Marshals this year will be all who served in the military during the Vietnam Era. All those who served are asked to come to the tent on Sunday and also be in the parade on Monday. This is for anyone who was in the service during those years, not only those who served in Vietnam. Special recognition will be given to Tom Merriman who did lose his life in service.
There will be many vendors in the Legion Hall from 3:00 – 6:00 on Sunday and the inflatable rides will open from 3-8. The Golf Cart Obstacle Course starts at 3:30 in front of the Legion and the Pedal Pull at 4:00 in front of the library. The annual Alumni Banquet is at 5:00 at the school with Social Hour beginning at 4:00. There will be music in the Big Tent starting at 5:30 by Brian Holbrooks and the Poor Bottom Grass Band. Bingo will start at 1:00 and end with Jackpot Bingo at 7:00.
Following Jackpot Bingo ladies of the Everwilling Club will present a ‘special’ Style Show followed by the 3rd Annual MS Oakwood contest. The evening will conclude with an adult Scavenger Hunt at 9:00
The Parade line up will start at 9:00 on Monday morning. Entrants are encouraged to register early by calling 419-594-3548, or online at http:/tinyurl.com/yd9o6bck. Vendors will be in the Legion Hall from 10-2. Following the Parade there will be a book signing by Kathryn Sharp Deatrick on her book of original poetry titled “Touches of the Heart”. The big rides and inflatables will run from 12:00 to 5:00. There will be a Big Wheel Race at 12:30 in front of the library while sign up for the Price Is Right begins at 1:15. Thousands of dollars in prizes are given away annually at this popular event beginning at 2:00. Bingo will begin at 12:30 with Jackpot starting at 4:00. No bingo cards will be available once the Jackpot begins. The weekend will conclude with the Duck Race on the river.
Detailed information and rules to contests, along with updated information about the weekend can be found online at oakwoodhomecomig.weebly.com or by joining Oakwood Homecoming on Facebook.
