Marshmallow Festival celebrates 19 years

LIGONIER, Ind. (WANE) - The 19th annual Ligonier Marshmallow Festival continues through Monday in Ligonier. 

It kicked off Friday and has already had quite a few events including a car show, pedal tractor races and even a marshmallow treat bake off.

Jenn Fought won the bake off with a Butterfinger delight desert.

“It's great, this my fourth year being in it,” said Fought. “It's just a lot of fun and the 100 dollars is kind of nice too.”

Other events include a Subway sandwich eating contest, live band performances, carnival games for the kids, and corn hole tournament.

In addition to the new contests, Marshmallow Festival Committee Chairperson Lisa Hartsough said one of the festival’s event favorites is back thanks in part to donations.

"The fireworks being back is a big plus; a lot of people wanted to see them return as part of the festival," said Hartsough.

The Marshmallow Festival celebrates the Kidd Marshmallow Co. in Ligonier. While that company was sold ten years ago to Kraft and marshmallows are no longer made in Ligonier, there are plenty of them still being made at the plant in Kendallville.

This year is actually the 59th consecutive year that there’s been a Labor Day festival in Ligonier but it wasn’t until 1992 that a committee changed Strawberry Valley Days to Marshmallow Festival.

Labor Day Monday Events:

 

7-9a Pancake Breakfast
$2.00 per person
Gazebo Park
Sponsored by Ligonier Lions Club

9a-5p Merchant Exhibits
Third Street beside Lake City Bank
Contact person: Tammy Deel 260-215-1982

10a Annual Police Vehicle and Uniform Inspection
Main Street

11-1245p Talent Show
Main Street Stage
Contact Person Bob Buttgen 260-894-5441

12-8p Bingo
American Legion Post 243 100 S Main Street
Sponsored by America Legion Post 243

12p until gone Chicken BBZ
Gazebo Park
Sponsored by Ligonier Rotary

12p Kiddie and Grand Parade Line-up
Grand Street & Second Street
Entry Deadline September 4, 2010 at 5pm
Contact Person: Lisa Hartsough 260-564-4706

1245-145p Inclognito Cloggers
Elaine’s Dance Studio
Main Street Stage
Sponsored by Reid’s Car Parts

2pm Kiddie and Grand Parade
Main Street