ROBERTA NEE ADAMSStaff Writer

Frontier Days in Lynchburg are fast approaching, set for Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. This year will see many of everyone’s old favorites as well as some new and exciting activities.

Craft vendors and food trucks will be set up on the square and open from 5-9 p.m. on Friday evening. The kids’ pedal pull will be held on Friday at the tennis courts at 6 p.m. Pedal pull tractors will be available for the kids, though you are welcome to bring your own.

A Cruise-In will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Lynchburg Park, and there is certain to be some special vehicles showcased there. There will be kid’s rides available on Friday after 5 p.m.

Chad Bradford and the Dmn Band will be providing music on the square Friday night from 7-9 p.m. to wrap up the evening.

Saturday is chock full of events, starting at 10 a.m. with a cultural arts exhibit at the ISIS building. Vendors and merchants on the square will open about the same time.

The steak cook-off will begin at 11:00 AM with over 70 teams competing.  The teams will be stationed around the horse show arena, with judging at the back of Moorehead Pavilion at 4:45 p.m. Awards will be presented at 6 p.m.

The Chamber will host a live auction at the gazebo at 11:30 a.m. There is sure to be some lively bidding there! Miss Mary Bobo’s will be hosting an apple pie contest. Entries can be dropped off at the event center on the square from 1-2 p.m. with judging to begin at 2:00. 

Back for the third year (and fast becoming a crowd favorite) is the Ladies Skillet Toss, sponsored by Lodge. The competition begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Wiseman Park. $5 gets three throws, and the best distance is recorded. Lodge provides the 8” skillet for throwing. Throws must be underhand, using the handle.

There are five divisions, with the top two scores in each division being posted throughout the event. You are allowed to defend your throw if you see that someone else has thrown further than you, which makes the competition even more fun! All throwing ceases at 3:45 p.m. The winner in each division is awarded a custom engraved Lodge skillet.

Kids rides and a petting zoo will be available Saturday afternoon. The kids’ parade will line up at 4:00 at the gazebo. Bicycles, scooters, wagons, strollers, and power wheels are all welcome, and entrants are highly encouraged to decorate their rides.

The kids’ demolition derby is scheduled for 5:30 PM, with registration at 5:00. The derby will be held at the tennis courts. Stock power wheels and helmets will be available for the kids, but entrants are welcome to bring their own.

New this year will be tethered hot air balloon rides. Smoky Mountain Air from Murfreesboro will be at the park, with Captain Jack Wheeler and Crew Chief Gina Wheeler conducting the rides. The rides will be weather permitting, from 5:00 till 8:00 PM.

Not to be forgotten is the chicken bingo game in the park at 6:00. Shelby Lee Lowes will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night from 7:00 till 9:00 PM.

From the old folks to the young ‘uns (and everyone in between) there is plenty for all to see and do for Frontier Days. Crafts and eats, contests, auctions, rides, parades, animals, music, games, and cars all add up to yet another great Frontier Days weekend. All are invited to show up and join in the fun!