Make way for the Melon Fest

MILAN — Many people ponder life's most difficult decisions such as: • "Which outfit should I wear for an important job interview?" • "Where should my child attend school?" • "What type of once-a-year dessert should I get?" People can at least answer the last inquiry this weekend as the Milan Melon Festival returns — and so, too, does the highly desirable Toft Dairy-produced cantaloupe ice cream and watermelon sherbet. Several fan-favorite events and entertainers take the stage from Saturday to Monday on Milan Village Square. People can also expect vendors, rides and games to line the block. As in recent years, the festival opens up Friday night with select food vendors ready to serve customers. Many of the proceeds benefit Edison Schools' extracurriculars. Edison students are involved in running booths for various school programs, which include selling ice cream. "Our festival is special because of its longevity," said Mandi Richards, the festival's secretary and queen's director. "It's a tradition for families and friends to come home to Milan for Labor Day weekend and celebrate together at the Melon Festival." It's among the area's most famous and well-attended festivals for several reasons, as Richards explains. She welcomes anyone to stop out for any of the following reasons. "We attract people from all over the state of Ohio because of our large variety of food and craft vendors, extensive grand parade, festival rides and games, entertainment at our main stage, queen's contest and the overall welcoming atmosphere," Richards said. Want to go? People can view the festival's full schedule on the committee's, @milanmelonfestival, Facebook page. Events are subject to change without notice. Note: All events on the main stage in Milan Village Square unless otherwise noted. Friday • 6-10 p.m. — Select food vendors open Saturday • 8-11 a.m. — Pancake breakfast at St Anthony's Catholic Church • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Car show at A-Field across from Milan Elementary • 10 a.m. — Baby contest; Registration begins at 8 a.m. • 2-4:30 p.m. — Scott Stiert performing • 4:30 p.m. — Count Me In dance exhibition • 6 p.m. — Edison band concert • 7 p.m. — Queen's contest; In case of rain, the pageant will be relocated to Milan Township Hall. • 8:30-10 p.m. — Campire Ready performing Sunday • 9 a.m. — Edison Memorial United Methodist Church Service • 11 a.m. — Milan Township fire's chicken barbecue; Townline 26 performing • 2 p.m. — Grand parade • 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Stereotypes performing • 8-10 p.m. — Nomad Soul performing Monday • All day — Watermelon rock garden • 8:30 a.m. — 1-mile fun run; Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. • 9 a.m. — 50th-annual 5K; Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. • 10 a.m. — Kiddie tractor pull; Registration begins at 9 a.m. • 11:30 a.m. — Edison High School cheerleaders performing • 12:30 p.m. — The Divots performing • 1 p.m. — Pie-eating contest • 2 p.m. — Watermelon roll • 2:30 p.m. — Head, shoulders, knees and watermelon • 3 p.m. — Watermelon wabble • 3:30 p.m. — Watermelon drop • 4 p.m. — Water balloon contest • 5 p.m. — Watermelon science block