Hamler Summer Fest celebrates 56 years

HAMLER — The 56th annual Hamler Summer Fest will be held this weekend at the Hamler Community Park. The event will feature polka bands, kids' activities, dancing, a cornhole tournament, German food and beer. The park is located on Ohio 109 on the north edge of Hamler beside the railroad track. An interdenominational church service will kick off the celebration at 7 p.m. Thursday. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. Friday, with the food line opening at 5. Saturday's gates open at 2 p.m., with the food ready at 3. Sunday's gates open at 10 a.m., and events kick off with a 10:30 a.m. church service. Food will be ready at 11:30. A three-day pass costs $15, with Friday and Saturday admission at $7. Sunday's church service offers free admission from 10 to 10:30 a.m., with a $5 charge afterward. Children under 16 years old are admitted free with a parent, and anyone who brings a child on Sunday gets free admission for the day. There will be free blow ups, snow cones and cotton candy. Primitive camping is available onsite for a freewill offering. The weekend's food choices include barbecue chicken, hot beef, hot dogs, bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, baked beans, beef and noodles, and ice cream. The music offerings will include Fred Ziwich, a Cleveland polka legend and Grammy nominee. Friday's music kicks off with the Culkar-Golob Band from 5:30-7 p.m. and 8:30-10 p.m., with Duane Malinowski playing from 7-8:30 p.m. and 10-11:30 p.m. Saturday's music includes the Garrett Tatano Band from 2:30- 4 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m., Michael Costa & The Beat from 4-5:30 p.m. and 8:30-10 p.m.; and Fred Ziwich from 7-8:30 p.m. and 10-11:30 p.m. Michael Costa & The Beat will return on Sunday from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m., and Fred Ziwich will conclude the live entertainment from 1:30-3 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. Registration for Saturday's cornhole tournament is at 4 p.m. that day with play beginning at 5 p.m. All participants age 21 and older will receive a free drink ticket. More information can be found at https://hamlersf.com/index.html or Summer Hamler Fest Ohio on Facebook.