By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Organizers of the Plainwell Days Festival are planning to bring back a popular event following a two-year hiatus.
The Senior Expo, which showcases products and services geared toward seniors, is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the festival on Saturday, June 25.
The entire Plainwell Days Festival was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and the Senior Expo didn’t take place last year due to continued COVID concerns.
“We had an amazing turnout (for the Senior Expo) prior to COVID and are excited to make it even bigger this year,” said Plainwell Days committee president Tracee Dunlop, owner of Envy in downtown Plainwell.
The Plainwell Days committee is seeking businesses from the following categories to include in the Senior Expo: insurance companies; lawyers/legal aid; hearing aids; optical; dentist; physical therapy; medicare/Medicaid; cell phone companies; churches; dating services; cleaning/household chores; transportation services; nutritionists; food assistance; doctors; security systems; pharmacists/prescription assistance; contractors/electricians/plumbers; realtors; caregivers; medical alert services; banks/credit unions; assisted living; shopping; counseling services; funeral/burial assistance; specialty care; adult protective services; senior employment services; senior housing services; heating/energy assistance services; and income tax services.
Cost for a 10×10 space for the Senior Expo is $100, with one 8-foot table and two chairs provided. Those interested in participating in the Senior Expo can contact Dunlop at tdunlop1014@gmail.com or (269) 365-4890.
“I hope we have a great turnout for the Senior Expo,” Dunlop said. “I do believe we as baby boomers/seniors need this event and the information that will be available.”
Prior to the actual day of the festival, organizers will host a parade through downtown Plainwell on Friday, June 24.
“We would love to see some fun amazing floats, decorated golf carts, people dressed up and so on,” Dunlop said. “Let’s make this a fun parade.”
Those wishing to participate in the parade can contact Cheryl at (269) 685-3413.
In addition to the Senior Expo, other events planning for the festival include:
• Main Street Car Show, Bike Show, and Tractor Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Arts & Crafts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Vendors & Home-Based Business Marketplace from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Animal Rescue Project from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Artist in Action from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Kids Makers Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Pinewood Derby Races from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Prince and Princess Contest at 11 a.m.
• Cornhole Tournament at 5 p.m.
• Beer Tent from 5 to 11 p.m.
• Live music starting at 7 p.m.
The Kids Zone will feature food trucks, Mary’s Country Critters, super hero cosplayers, rock painting, crafts with Home Depot, turtle racing and face painting among other activities.
“We try to keep as much free as possible for everyone, especially the kids,” Dunlop said.
To that end, the Plainwell Days committee is actively seeking sponsorships.
Like last year, the festival will not be able to host a carnival—which in the past has featured fair-style rides—as the parking lot of the old paper mill remains unavailable and an alternate site could not be found. That means a less money will be coming into the festival.
“The carnival was our money maker, so now we have to depend on sponsors,” Dunlop said.
This year’s festival is estimated to cost $12,000.
“Sponsorship is really down for far this year, but it’s never too late to help,” Dunlop said. “We are just a few people donating our time every year to put this together. We are a non-profit and no one gets paid.”
Current sponsors include: Ridderman Oil; Safari, Brave Ind; Edward Jones (Plainwell); Plainwell Flowers; H&H Auto; Cornell & Associates; Steensma; Star Accounting; FBN; Lynx Golf Course; Bridge St. Gallery; Island city Tea; Avink; McCowen & Secord; Majestic Financial; Life Care; Ace Parking; Hytech; First United Methodist Church of Plainwell; Laws Electric; Plainwell Counseling Center; and LEMA Institute.
For more information about sponsorships, contact Dunlop at (269) 365-4890.
Organizers are also looking for additional volunteers. Anyone interested in helping out can contact Clarissa at (269) 650-6855.
Other ways to get involved include: promoting a business in the vendor spaces (contact Samantha at (269) 685-7412); taking part in the Art & Craft show (contact the Otsego/Plainwell Chamber (269) 694-6880; taking part in the Car Show (contact Tom at (269) 685-7100), taking part in the Tractor Show (contact Jim at (290) 217-3825) and taking part in the Bike Show (contact Bradley at (269) 366-8676.
Volunteers are also needed in the Kids Zone with such activities as face painting, rock painting, games, inflatables and more. Anyone interested in that can contact Dunlop.
“We just hope everyone enjoys the festival as much as we like putting this on,” Dunlop said. “It’s a lot of work, but we enjoy it.”
