05/31/11  The 2011 Yellow River Festival on June 4 will provide a wide variety of family fun and educational entertainment in addition to live music all day and plenty of food. At the festival, people can expect to see “Johnny Appleseed” in full costume. Steve McPhail, who portrays the colorful character at the Indiana State Fair and many other regional festivals, will roam the festival grounds throughout the day and answer questions about the pioneer. Johnny Appleseed will appear and perform at the Education Stage at 11:30am and 2pm.

At 12:30, the Yellow River Festival Education Stage will be home to a Liars’ Bench In the olden days before Facebook and web sites, “Liars’ Bench” was the nickname given to a place where residents would tell tall tales, brag about their exploits, and share gossip. At the Yellow River Festival, our “Liars’ Bench” will display old-time artifacts while our “Liars” provide colorful descriptions and stories about each object. Spectators will have to decide who is lying or telling the truth about each object. Appearing at this year’s Liars Bench: Bob Yoder, Marshall County Purdue Extension Educator; Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter; and Plymouth Mayoral candidate Jim Vinall, owner of the City Center building and Opie’s Deli in downtown Plymouth.

This year’s Education Stage presentations also include: Professor Tom Buchanan (Ancilla College) discussing “1850s’ Medical Care in Plymouth” (10am); Kurt Garner speaking on Chief Menominee (10:30) and “The History of Michigan Road” (Noon); Master Gardener and local writer Marianne Peters sharing her insight on “Native Beauty: Enjoying Native Plants in Your Landscape” (1pm); and Anne Liechty telling all about “The Huckleberry Queen of the Huckleberry Marsh in Marshall County” (1:30).

In the Games area, the Yellow River Festival will offer plenty of old-time fun for youngsters and the young-at-heart alike. Some of our most popular events include fishing,  ”monkey bridge,” Shoot Skillets, Corn Hole, Collar Throw, Rope Maze, leather projects and more, hosted by the Boy Scouts.

As always, the Yellow River Festival happens on the first Saturday in June, this year falling on June 4. The festival will take place on LaPorte St. on the banks of the Yellow River in Plymouth. More information is available at www.yellowriverfestival.org.

Joel Thomas Correspondent