VetFest to honor those who served amid music, food, fun

FINDLAY — Flag City Community VetFest, presented by Rate in partnership with the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, will take place from 3 top 11 p.m. Saturdayon Broadway Street in downtown Findlay. The date is not only a tribute to Flag Day, but also the U.S. Army's 250th birthday. Ed Newton, Resiliency Operations Manager for the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, said the event aims to recognize local veterans, veteran-owned businesses and veteran-supportive employers in Hancock County. "In mid-2023, we realized there are roughly 4,500 veterans in Hancock County, but we only have contact with roughly 2,800," Newton said. "So, we started thinking what can we do? We thought let's put on an event to recognize veterans as well as the community for their support for veterans." Unlike traditional resource fairs that can be stressful or overwhelming to veterans, VetFest is designed to be a casual, festive occasion featuring live music, food and conversation. "We have events all the time with resource booths and we noticed that sometimes veterans tend to shy away from them," Newton said. "With VetFest there's no strings attached, just come out, mingle with the community and get to know each other a little better." Live music starts at 4 p.m. with Truck Stop Manners from the Fostoria/Fremont area, followed by Findlay natives, 100 Proof. The rock band First to Eleven, from Erie, Pennsylvania, is the headlining act. "In Hancock County, they've got a number of very talented musicians and bands, but for this event we thought let's not have a local band," Newton said. "Let them have the choice to be part of this and relax for a night." Six food trucks will be on site as well as beverage and vendor booths. A military "deuce" truck and a NASCAR vehicle will be on display. The military truck will also act as the collection point for non-perishable food donations and unwrapped toys to benefit local food pantries and Toys for Tots. In between bands, local veteran-owned businesses, veterans, and veteran-supportive employers will be recognized on stage. "It's a two-way street," Newton said. "This is a way that the community can show appreciation for the veterans in their community and it gives the veterans an opportunity to show their appreciation to the community. This is all of us together, it's for us all and it's for some good." The evening will conclude with a flag-lowering ceremony at 11 p.m., with Carl Hayslett performing "Retreat," a military tradition marking the end of day. "It gives some of our veterans a little trip down memory lane," Newton said. Proceeds from VetFest will benefit local food pantries, Toys for Tots, a veteran's housing initiative, and Wreaths Across America. The nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America was brought into Hancock County through an Eagle Scout project by the son of Sherry Brumbaugh, owner of Garner Trucking. "The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember, to honor, and to teach," Newton said. "Honor and remember those who have fallen, honor those that serve, and teach the next generation the value of their freedoms. The organization puts a wreath on every veteran's headstone in Hancock County and that is truly amazing. It's letting our veterans know that they're never forgotten." A motorcycle ride will kick off festivities. Riders from local veteran groups will depart from Liberty-Benton Schools at 4 p.m. with a police escort. The first 80 motorcycles will have access to premium parking inside of the event, and all riders will receive free admission. VetFest is still seeking around 70 volunteers, especially during the evening shifts. Volunteers will receive free admission, a VetFest T-shirt, and other additional perks. Sponsorships are still being accepted at many levels now and after the event, although the banner and T-shirts deadline has already passed. All sponsorships made before or on Saturday, however, will be recognized on stage. Newton said the main goal of this event is to build relationships between veterans and the community. "At the end of the day, veteran or not, we're not all in the same boat, but we all are in the same storm," Newton said. "We all need each other to make it."