Warren Scott FOOD AND FUN AHEAD. — The volunteer committee behind Wednesdays in Wintersville has planned a variety of activities for area residents to participate in when the street festival returns, with a variety of food and entertainment, on the first Wednesday of each month from May through September.

WINTERSVILLE — From a small parade for children to baking contests for adults, Wednesdays in Wintersville will include a variety of activities for the many attending the annual street fair when it returns on May 7.

Anyone doing a little spring cleaning and other area residents also are encouraged to look for certain items that may be lent temporarily to a variety of displays planned for the events, which are held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first of each month through September.

Joel John, who heads the volunteer committee behind Wednesdays in Wintersville, said the group has brainstormed a variety of activities and displays to coincide with the themes chosen for each month.

Since the festival was launched in 2021, the group has come up with a different theme for each month, but each event has had a few things in common: a variety of food trucks, live entertainment and inflatable attractions and other activities for children.

John said food trucks again will be found in the parking lot in front of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church while inflatables and other children’s activities will be in front of Wintersville Methodist Church’s Center for Hope, thanks to the cooperation and support of the two churches.

He added a different musical guest again will perform in the area behind Exquisite Creations by Joel, while an outdoor bar will be added there so attendees can wet their whistle while enjoying the entertainment and each other’s company.

The bar will be operated by Naughty Pint, a mobile business owned by Evan Koppa of Wintersville from which attendees of last year’s Wintersville Winter Weekend may recall purchasing a warm drink.

John also will showcase certain floral arrangements at a flower bar at his shop, which is at the corner of Main and Grove streets.

Wintersville businesses along Main Street and beyond have been encouraged to offer open houses or specials during the events, which are intended to attract visitors to the village’s many establishments.

Inspired partly by the Kentucky Derby, whose attendees are known to wear extravagant headwear, the theme for May 7 will be “Hats Off,” said John.

Area residents with hats that reflect their professions are invited to lend them for a display inside the Center for Hope, Wintersville Methodist Church’s large social hall.

There also will be a baking contest, with participants invited to bring to the hall desserts made with chocolate and mint.

John said the choice was inspired by the mint julep, a drink often consumed during the derby, but participants are invited to create a variety of baked goods using the two ingredients.

In addition, children are invited to dress as the occupation they would like to be for a small parade to be held at 6 p.m. that day. Children also can create their own name tags at 5:30 p.m.

Music will be provided from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. that evening by Matt Hill and Friends, a jazz band whose leader also is known for wearing a hat.

The baking contests again are being coordinated by Monica Pendleton of Cake Roll Creations, and those planning to take part should contact her at (740) 424-9679 to register and for more details.

Coordinating the displays is Karen Fante, who can be reached at (740) 632-6572 for information.

The children’s parades will be organized by Kristina Vodvarka, (740) 317-5577.

John added there are plans to hold a car show each month in the parking lot of Wintersville Methodist Church, and they are being coordinated by Bob Koppa, (740) 317-0704.

He said the Wintersville Beautification Committee also will be on hand each month with assorted activities.

John also announced the following contests and displays set for the other months:

�–� June 4: in keeping with a luau theme, floral dresses and Hawaiian shirts will be displayed while the baking contest will involve pineapple upside cake.

�–� July 2: the theme will be “Red, White and Berry.” With Independence Day approaching, items featuring the red, white and blue or stars and stripes of the U.S. flag will be displayed.

Pies made with any berry may be entered into the baking contest.

�–� Aug. 6: The theme will be “All Aboard,” which John noted can allude to many forms of transportation. Model railroaders are invited to share their hobby through the display, while sourdough bread, with its ties to the Oregon Trail, will be the focus of the baking contest.

�–� Sept. 3: “Disco” will be the theme, which reminds one of dancing shoes. But any old or unusual pairs of shoes will be displayed at the Center for Hope that evening.

Entries for the baking contest may be any type of cheesecake.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)