75th annual Holloway Old Timers Festival kicks off

Organizers spend Friday afternoon completing the final preparations for the event.

Vendors and the auction were set up in the Bo Garrett pavilion, named after the organization’s founder.

Next to the pavilion, there are signs hung with the names of all of the sponsors and individuals who made donations. Linda Nester, treasurer of the Holloway Old Timers and organizer of the event, said this was the first time that the organization had done this.

“We wanted to show our appreciation. A lot of people helped us out,” she said.

The Glen Helter shelter at the Holloway Old Timers Festival showcased the history of Holloway, including various items salvaged from the old school that was located on the property before it burned down.

“There’s a lot of history in here. It’s like a little museum,” she said.

The walls in the shelter are lined with trophies, and the oldest trophies date back to the 1950s. The shelter also has framed letters from politicians and officials recognizing the festival and the Holloway Old Timers Association, including a 1988 letter signed by former President Ronald Reagan.

The Holloway Old Timers also provided food for the event. Friday’s menu featured beef and home-cooked beans. Nester said they smoked the beef all night long.

“We still cook over a fire in a way that’s similar to the way they used to in 1948,” Nester said.

A concession stand with sno-cones, cotton candy and candy apples will also be at the event all weekend.

The event also featured games, including “Purple House,” a game from the 1960s that is similar to roulette. Nester said that the game is named “Purple House” because the school colors were purple and gold. The festival will also have a ring toss, darts and a dunk tank.

The festival also features an I-5 B&O caboose from 1936. Attendees can walk through the caboose and learn about its history.

Nester said that the Holloway Old Timers Association is in the process of refurbishing the caboose because the windows were leaking. She said that all of the windows on the sides of the caboose have been replaced and one side of the caboose has been repainted.

She said that the other side needs another coat of paint and the B&O logo stenciled on.

Nester said that the organization is raising money to repair the water damage on the inside of the caboose.

“We’ve been raising money for two years for the repairs,” she said.

The festival will continue into the weekend. Events start at 11 a.m. Saturday and at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Nester said the organization expects a large crowd on Saturday.

“The place will be hopping,” she said.

On Saturday, hay rides, face painting and games will take place all afternoon, and a clown will be twisting balloons.

At 2 p.m., a vintage baseball game will take place between the Canal Dover Redlegs and the Holloway Railroaders.

“The Canal Dover Redlegs is a true, authentic 1860s team. They play by all of the old, original rules,” Nester said.

She said the teams will play a “gentleman’s game,” meaning that if any player uses foul language the play will be stopped until the player apologizes to the crowd.

Attendees can participate in ax throwing from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m.

There will be a car, truck and bike show from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Holloway Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall lot across from the caboose. Registration for the car show will take place at 11 a.m., judging will take place at 3 p.m. and trophies will be awarded at 4 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, will award a Congressional Proclamation recognizing the Old Timers organization for its outstanding commitment to the village and to America’s favorite pastime of baseball at 4 p.m. Saturday prior to the start of the parade on the railroad flatcar.

The Holloway Old Timers and Fireman’s Parade starts at 5 p.m. The parade will feature the Ohio Valley Avengers and Enchanted Princess. Lineup and registration for the parade will start at 3:30 p.m.

The night will end with karaoke and music from 6-8 p.m.

Garden tractor pulls by the Harrison County Lil Hustlers will start at 9 a.m. Sunday, and the festival closes at 5 p.m. with the drawing of the 50-50 raffle.

Nester said that her father, John Nester, used to be a part of the Holloway Old Timers Association and an organizer of the festival.

“He loved it. This is the reason why I do this, to keep it going for him,” she said.

The festival will be located at 421 E. Main Street.

For more information about the Old Timers Festival, visit the Holloway Old Timers Baseball Assoc. – Holloway Old Timers Baseball Festival Facebook page or call 740-968-1900.