History of our festival
The Peebles Lions Fair and Home Show held at the Peebles High School Gymnasium on June 5th and 6th was a huge success. The Fair was set up with the idea in mind of the community’s citizens getting an opportunity to view first hand many of the local merchant’s wares displayed in booths inside the gym and on the lawn adjoining. The purpose, of course, of the Lions effort to raise money, was to pay for the many services and projects that they undertake for the community, especially the sight-saving program with the purchase of eye glasses for those who cannot afford them.
Highlighting Friday evening’s festivities was the selection of the Queen of the 1964 Lion’s Fair and Home Show. Selected from the field of seven candidates on the basis of her appearance and personality was Miss Rosemary Reed, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Reed, of Peebles, Rt. 4. Rosemary is a graduate of Franklin High School, Class of 1964 and will attend college this fall. Selected as attendants were: Donna Vineyard, a graduate of the Peebles Local School, Class of 1964. Donna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Vineyard of Peebles, Rt. 1 and will attend St. Joseph College this fall; Patricia Thompson, also a graduate of Franklin Local School, Class of 1964, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thompson of Peebles, Rt. 1. Pat intends to attend college this fall; a senior at the Peebles Local School, Ann Dumenil, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dumenil of Peebles and Marsha Mefford, also a senior at Peebles and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Mefford, Each girl received a trophy symbolic of their newly won title and participated in the parade on Saturday, June 6th. Winners of cash awards in this competition were: Miss Linda Armstrong, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Armstrong of Peebles and Connie Copas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Copas of Peebles, Rt. 4.
Door prizes, at the rate of two every half hour, were given away at Friday night’s event and Saturday’s festivities. Prizes were donated by: Mitchell The Printer, Moore’s Store, J. R. Green & Son, Econ-O-Wash, Arthur Crum, Mitchell Home Furnishings, Lou Harris - Coca-Cola Distributor, Ryan Plumbing and Heating, Western Auto, Franklin Dairy Bar, Peebles Laundromat, Spear’s Shoe Shop, Peebles Auto Parts, Dumenil Drugs, Knotty Pine Restaurant, Arnold Motor Sales, Smalley’s Service Station, Johnson Sohio Service, Louderback Sinclair Service, Faye’s Beauty Shop, Thompson’s Service Station, Fisher Produce, White Star Restaurant, Becky’s Beauty Shop, Ann’s Coffee Shop and Pepsi-Cola Company.
The big attraction Saturday afternoon was the parade through downtown Peebles. Participating in the parade were Fire Departments of Peebles and Rarden, the American Legion, Franklin High School Band, Peebles High School Band, the Queen and her attendants, Saddle Club, Lions Club bus, Antique Cars, Junior Girl Scouts and Brownie Girl Scouts, Police Car and Floats.
The crowds were entertained on Friday night by the Peebles High School bank and on Saturday night by the Franklin High School Band. A seeing-eye dog demonstration was one of the main attractions on Saturday nights agenda. Pilot Dog, Inc., of Columbus, which is one of the main projects of the Lion’s Club, was in charge of Miss Gail Thompson, one of the trainers of Pilot Dog with her dog, Joe, and Mr. Ray Niday of Worthington, who is a blind person, who had received his dog, Heidi, from Pilot Dog. At present, Mr. Niday is a teacher at the State School for the Blind and is a member of Northern Columbus Lions Club.
Later on, Saturday night’s program was a rousing square dance which was enjoyed by all. Winner for the best showing in the parade was the Peebles Garden Club float. The winners of the Antique Car Showing in the most original division was a 1906 Buick, owned by Harry B. Williamson of Hillsboro, Rt. 2. The oldest car shown was a 1894 Imperial, owned by Ernest Williamson, also of Hillsboro, Rt. 2. The Peebles Lions Club wishes to thank everyone who helped make the Fair and Home Show such a success.
(Peebles Fair and Garden Show has become what is now known as the Old Timer’s Days Festival.)
Information taken from a newspaper clipping date Thursday, June 11, 1964, was edited for clarity.