Culture
Moonshine Festival Slated for Memorial Day Weekend
< < Back to moonshine-festival-slated-for-memorial-day-weekendThe upcoming 2015 New Straitsville Moonshine Festival will be held Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. New Straitsville, which is located in the rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio, on state Route 93 North, was known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World” during prohibition in that New Straitsville Special (as it was called) was shipped all over the world.
The heritage of the village is celebrated with the annual festival over Memorial weekend with a variety of fun and entertainment for the entire family.
The event opens at 5 p.m. on May 21 with a family night ride special for $10 per person, followed by the Veterans Parade with New Lexington Band at 6:45 p.m. and the 2015 Miss Moonshine Pageant with the evening to close with a concert by Aubrey Riley.
On Friday, May 22, a garden tractor pull will be held on Main Street beginning at 6 p.m. with SCW Pro Westling to take place at 8 p.m. at the fire department and karaoke by Rhyno Entertainment at 10 p.m. to end the evening.
Saturday, May 23 is Kids Day filled with a ride all rides special from 1 to 5 p.m. for $10 per person; the annual baby contest is scheduled for 11 a.m.; and kids games and contests that will be held during the afternoon with a kiddie tractor pull sponsored by Logan Moose 873 to end the afternoon activities. The evening will begin with a Chinese auction and conclude with the band Trip Dog.
Sunday will bring a variety of events including a cruise-in. A gospel jubilee will take place at 1 p.m. with five different gospel groups. The garden tractor demo derby will begin at 3:30 p.m.
During the afternoon a home-baked pie contest and auction will be held along with the popular business decorated jug auction at 6:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with the feature free entertainment featuring Nashville recording artist, Billie Joe Royal with local guest Haley Watson at 7 and 9:15 p.m.
Memorial Day, May 25, will begin with a memorial service in the New Straitsville Cemetery at 11 a.m. The grand parade will begin at 3 p.m. featuring the Trimble Tom Cat Marching band.
To conclude, the 2015 Moonshine Festival with the ever popular “Hand Me the Mic” contest with cash prizes in three age groups.
During the event there will be BIG “O” amusements on the midway, various food vendors including moonshine pie and moonshine burgers, crafts and commercial booths and more.
The local Masonic Temple will serve breakfast daily and have a nightly fish fry. The local history museum will be open along with tours of Robinson Cave (the birthplace of the United Mine Workers of America).
The most popular attraction is the working still display in which the actual making of moonshine is demonstrated along with some confiscated stills and history of the moonshine era. Also moonshine will be available for sale at the Straitsville Special Moonshine Distillery.
Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to attend the 45th annual New Straitsville Moonshine Festival May 21 through May 25.
For more information contact 740-394-2239, 740-394-2727 or 740-380-0440.