(July 30, 2015) Combines are a familiar sight on the Eastern Shore, moving purposefully and efficiently through fields of grain, corn and soy beans, offloading their harvest into waiting trucks. But seeing a combine from afar is very different from being close enough to touch one. Snow Hill is the Home of the Blessing of the Combines, and the 17th annual event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free shuttle parking is at Byrd Park. Admission is free.
Festivities begin with a parade led by a horse-drawn combine, followed by antique tractors, garden tractors, an antique fire truck, and combines of red and green. Following the “Throttle Thrust” Master of Ceremonies, Steve Hales will lead a program with presentation of colors by the Snow Hill JROTC, singing of the National Anthem by Rachel Allmam and a dove release. The featured keynote speaker is Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland Department of Agriculture secretary. The program concludes with the blessing of the combines by Pastor Ken Elligson.
Exhibits and displays will be set up along Green, Pearl and Bank streets, including a petting barnyard. At the Children’s Barnyard will be sand art, face painting, a soy bean pit, a moon bounce, a working pitcher pump, and a corn maze. Lollipop the Clown and a strolling magician will delight young and old. Free hayrides and free pony rides will be available.
The Program Stage will feature Free Indeed Praise & Worship Team, The Matt Watson Band and Ted Elliott.
Festival food vendors on Bank Street join Harvest Moon and The American Legion in offering a wide selection of treats. Further down Bank Street, near Scales and Tales, attendees will find the Worcester County Emergency Services Special Operations Trailer and the Maryland State Police Rescue Boat along with craft vendors who compliment Snow Hill’s shops.
A pie-eating contest and the Children’s Tractor Pull will also take place.
The Worcester County Extension Office is celebrating with an open house. The Worcester County library will host a yard sale. At the river, pontoon boat cruises are available. The Wheels That Heal Car Club will host a car show beginning at 9 a.m. in Sturgis Park along the Pocomoke River.
At 3 p.m. the festival ends as the combines leave Green Street. Activities continue at 4 p.m. at Preston Motors Snow Hill Auto Body with the Sure Fun Lawn Mower and Tractor Pull. Food will be available.
At 7 p.m., there will be Dancing Under the Stars at Sturgis Park, sponsored by Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum. Music will be provided by local DJ Mike Shannon. Cash bar will be available. Must be 21 or older to enter.
Admission is $7 at the door and includes one free drink ticket. For more information, contact Furnace Town at 410-632-2032.
Visit www.blessingofthecombines.org or Facebook for more information, contact Becky Payne at 443-783-1715 or email blesscombines@gmail.com.
Free shuttle parking is at Byrd Park. Admission is free.
Festivities begin with a parade led by a horse-drawn combine, followed by antique tractors, garden tractors, an antique fire truck, and combines of red and green. Following the “Throttle Thrust” Master of Ceremonies, Steve Hales will lead a program with presentation of colors by the Snow Hill JROTC, singing of the National Anthem by Rachel Allmam and a dove release. The featured keynote speaker is Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland Department of Agriculture secretary. The program concludes with the blessing of the combines by Pastor Ken Elligson.
Exhibits and displays will be set up along Green, Pearl and Bank streets, including a petting barnyard. At the Children’s Barnyard will be sand art, face painting, a soy bean pit, a moon bounce, a working pitcher pump, and a corn maze. Lollipop the Clown and a strolling magician will delight young and old. Free hayrides and free pony rides will be available.
The Program Stage will feature Free Indeed Praise & Worship Team, The Matt Watson Band and Ted Elliott.
Festival food vendors on Bank Street join Harvest Moon and The American Legion in offering a wide selection of treats. Further down Bank Street, near Scales and Tales, attendees will find the Worcester County Emergency Services Special Operations Trailer and the Maryland State Police Rescue Boat along with craft vendors who compliment Snow Hill’s shops.
A pie-eating contest and the Children’s Tractor Pull will also take place.
The Worcester County Extension Office is celebrating with an open house. The Worcester County library will host a yard sale. At the river, pontoon boat cruises are available. The Wheels That Heal Car Club will host a car show beginning at 9 a.m. in Sturgis Park along the Pocomoke River.
At 3 p.m. the festival ends as the combines leave Green Street. Activities continue at 4 p.m. at Preston Motors Snow Hill Auto Body with the Sure Fun Lawn Mower and Tractor Pull. Food will be available.
At 7 p.m., there will be Dancing Under the Stars at Sturgis Park, sponsored by Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum. Music will be provided by local DJ Mike Shannon. Cash bar will be available. Must be 21 or older to enter.
Admission is $7 at the door and includes one free drink ticket. For more information, contact Furnace Town at 410-632-2032.
Visit www.blessingofthecombines.org or Facebook for more information, contact Becky Payne at 443-783-1715 or email blesscombines@gmail.com.