4 homeowners voice objections
CELINA - Thieman Tailgate plans to move forward with another expansion after given the green light by Celina planning commissioners on Thursday night
WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County Health Department officials in a Thursday news release reported seven new cases of COVID-19 since their last update on Tuesday, raising the county's cumulative case count to 3,673.
CELINA - Mercer County commissioners on Thursday signed off on sheriff Jeff Grey's requests to purchase two new cruisers and a 911 technology upgrade package, together totaling more than $100,000.
Log jams an ongoing problem
WAPAKONETA - Landowners in the St. Marys River floodplain could see property assessments increased from $1.50 to $19.50 per affected acre to help pay for river maintenance that includes log jam removal.
CELINA - A local gas station has been temporarily closed after officials earlier this week discovered an underground tank was leaking gasoline into the soil and city sanitary lines.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Celina will have at least one representative at the Division II girls state track and field championships after the first day of action at the Division II regional meet at Alexander Stadium in Piqua.
BLUFFTON - For half an inning, St. Marys had the upper hand in the Division II baseball district semifinal. But it only went downhill from there.
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Tourism officials hope area residents and visitors return for the fun in '21. A majority of local festivals are back. Many were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FORT RECOVERY - The Ohio State Pull has been replaced by the Battle at the Fort, a tractor and truck pull that will take place June 4-5 at Ambassador Park.
COLDWATER - Knights of Columbus members will host the group's 54th annual picnic June 4-6 on the grounds of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
The event will kick off the picnic season Friday with live entertainment, food and drinks.
COLDWATER - The Taste of the Town food event returns to Coldwater on June 8. It will be held from 5-10 p.m. on Elm Street near the depot in Coldwater Memorial Park.
BURKETTSVILLE - The popular mud volleyball event will be joined by designer bingo during this year's Burkettsville Community Picnic set for June 11-13 at the village park.
CHICKASAW - A kids firefighter's challenge and appearances by popular hero characters will be among the new features at this year's Chickasaw Community Picnic set for June 4-6 at the Chickasaw VFW Park.
FORT RECOVERY - The Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee is back and better than ever June 16-20 at Ambassador Park, according to organizers.
The event, which was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will feature new attractions such as ax throwing and cosmic bingo, said organizer Megan Wendel.
MONTEZUMA - The popular Cup-in-Hand kickball tournament will be among the highlights of Zuma Days set for June 19 at Zuma Park.
Zuma Park Board Pre
Eldora Speedway's 67th season of racing opened May 7 and 8 with the World of Outlaws and United States Auto Club's #LetsRaceTwo weekend.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited schedule of closed-to-the-public races were held in 2020 on the half-mile dirt track.
ROCKFORD - The Rockford Community Days celebration is being planned this summer as part of the village's anticipated bicentennial event, which was canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
MARIA STEIN - The 34th annual Maria Stein Country Fest makes a come-back this year, with a return to the full-fledged festival June 25-27.
Country
After being held as a virtual event in 2020 to encourage participants to run their own 5,000-meter races and turn in times, the Mercer Health 5K Challenge will resume this year with live running events.
After a year's absence due to COVID-19, the Grand Lake Mariners summer collegiate baseball team returns to action at Celina's Montgomery Field.
Teams will play games Tuesday through Sunday with Mondays.
NEW KNOXVILLE - Food trucks and a cornhole tournament are new additions to this year's New Knoxville Independence Day Celebration.
The festival is set for June 25-26 at the village park, said park president Mike Chalk.
ST. HENRY - St. Henry residents can expect a return to full-fledged festivities during the St. Henry Community Picnic set for July 2-4.
The communi
CELINA - The Taste of Celina Block Party & Car Show, which has steadily grown into one of the city's most popular events, returns to downtown Celina on July 9.
CELINA - Organizers plan to host an in-person Immaculate Conception Festival July 16-17 as long as they can secure vendors for the event, co-organizer Lindsey Lunz said.
CHATTANOOGA - The Chatt Farmer's Picnic has been a Mercer County fixture for more than 100 years.
The festival will return July 29 with a variety of food, games and entertainment after a one-year absence.
BERNE - Swiss Days returns to Berne, Indiana, July 29, 30 and 31.
Erin Donovan, executive director for the Berne Chamber of Commerce, said the event will be similar to 2020's version, which was pared down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite a year's absence due to the pandemic, interest in the 2021 Grand Lake Marathon has remained strong with even more inquiries from runners.
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CELINA - Organizers hope to hold the Celina Lake Festival with all the trimmings - rides, bands, fireworks, etc. - attendees have come to enjoy.
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FORT RECOVERY - The 2021 Fort Recovery National Tractor Pullers Association Grand Nationals event returns July 30-31 to Ambassador Park.
Gates open
This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the New Bremen Fireman's Picnic. The festival is July 23-24 at the downtown Crown Pavilion.
The two-day event will include food, demonstrations, an auction and numerous other activities, according to assistant fire chief Lee Kuenning.
WAPAKONETA - Though uncertainties remain, organizers are soldiering on with plans to host to a full-scale Auglaize County Fair Aug. 1-7 packed with traditional events and activities.
COLDWATER - The 60th annual Coldwater Community Picnic will be held Aug. 5-8. The theme is Back to the 90's.
Picnic President Ted Feltz said a golf cart raffle has been added this year.
Antique lovers, thrifters and bargain hunters can rejoice.
The World's Longest Yard Sale returns to Mercer County properties along U.S. 127 Aug. 5-8.
CELINA - Nothing is going to stop organizers from putting on the best and safest Mercer County Fair possible Aug. 13-19, fair manager Cara Muhlenkamp said.
ST. MARYS - Plans are still being finalized, but the St. Marys SummerFest is set to return to Memorial Park from Aug 12-15, with many familiar events planned to return.
COLDWATER - The event may have a new name, but it's still for a good cause.
The 41st Coldwater Multiple Donations Softball Tournament will be held Aug. 18-22 at Coldwater Memorial Park.
Bremenfest will be held Aug. 13-15 in the downtown, with many popular events returning for the three-day celebration.
The Little Miss and Miss Brem
FORT RECOVERY - The third annual Win on the Wabash returns August 27-28 at Ambassador Park with plenty of door prizes, music and entertainment.
Pre
ST. MARYS - The annual Holy Rosary Parish Festival has been pushed back and pared down this year, with organizers planning the event for Sept. 17 and 18.
CELINA - The Durbin Bean Bake will be held Labor Day, Sept. 6, after an unprecedented break due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The bean bake, wh
ST. JOE - The St. Joe Homecoming Festival will return this year from Sept. 18-19 for a weekend of football, food and entertainment.
The festival takes place on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1689 St. Joe Road.
Arrowhead Park Golf Course
Directions: Take Ohio 66 south out of St. Marys to Minster. Once in Minster, take a right onto First Street and follow it to Canal Road. Turn left on Canal. The course is located on the corner of Canal and Dirksen roads.
MARIA STEIN - The annual Heritage Day Festival returns to the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 19.
The event was pared down last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEW BREMEN - The first weekend of fall welcomes back the New Bremen Pumpkinfest to the village on Sept. 24 and 25.
The annual festival will feature inflatables for kids, an artisan showcase and plenty of burgers, fries and pies according to organizer Katie Eyink.
Minster plans taking shape
MINSTER - The Minster Oktoberfest is looking to get back to normal this year with the theme "Together Again," hoping to bring back some crowd favorite events Oct. 1-3.
CELINA - Celina Summer Concert Series organizers are revving up for the return of live music after being forced to pull the plug on last year's concerts because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The fourth annual summer concert series at Coldwater Memorial Park Amphitheater will feature five performances by a variety of musical acts.
Commit
FORT RECOVERY - Now in its 30th season, the Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts Summer Concert series will feature a blend of popular acts and new performers.
ST. HENRY - Entering its 10th season, the St. Henry Summer Concert Series will feature music ranging from rock and country to German folk and soul.
Old favorites, new acts to take stage in series
NEW BREMEN - After a year's absence, the New Bremen Summer Concert Series will return to the Crown Pavilion on the banks of the Miami-Erie Canal.
The Crown Pavilion is located on Plum Street, just west of State Route 66.
MINSTER - Minster's summer concert series will feature a tribute to legendary country and rock music acts
All of the free shows will start at 6:30 p.m. at Minster Machine Centennial Park, 100 E. Fourth St.
The two-county Grand Lake region boasts numerous recreation sites ranging from museums about Ohio's contributions to air and space travel and bicycles to churches on the national historical register, dog parks, walking trails and others.
Those seeking lodgings during the busy festival season have a number of options in the Grand Lake area.
Hotels, motels, inns and camping grounds are available to fit the needs of visitors enjoying the variety of summer activities in Mercer and Auglaize counties.
