Stage is set for Fremont's big weekend
12 Jul 2013
Events
Article by: Fremont Tribune | Tribune Staff
Chairs were in their places and food vendors’ stands lined Eighth Street early today, signs that the biggest weekend of Fremont’s summer was about to begin.
Bob Olsen’s Dixieland Band was set to kick off John C. Fremont Days, a three-day festival held throughout the city that includes everything from historical encampments and music to a pie parlor and an educational exhibit that might be better visited on an empty stomach.
Opening ceremonies for the 27th annual festival were set for 12:30 p.m. in the Chautauqua Tent, located near Ninth Street inside John C. Fremont City Park. Other Chautauqua Tent highlights for today includes the 3 p.m. birthday cake decorating contest and the 6 p.m. Little Miss Fremont Pageant.
Across town at Clemmons Park, located at 16th Street and Luther Road, living history encampments were set up. Twilight camp tours are available today and Saturday. Encampments include Civil War re-enactors, buckskinners, Medieval and Renaissance Society members, a working 1800s-era blacksmith, a Native American camp and a World War II camp and vehicle display.
Civil War re-enactors will fire a cannon at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and a Union-Confederate skirmish that is to include pyrotechnics is set for 6 p.m. Saturday.
Lighting up the skies tonight, though, is the annual Hot Air Balloon Glow at First Lutheran Church. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with food, entertainment – including music by the North Bend Community Band – face painting and pony rides. The actual Balloon Glow is set for 8:45 p.m.