Category: On the Road with Big Blue

Antique Tractors Return to the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

WNZR’s Josiah Styer talks with Richie Litzenberg, coordinator of the antique tractor activities at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click on the image below!

Richie shares that his family has been involved with the Old Time Farming Festival for most of his life, while he has personally served on the festival committee for the past three years. He helps organize the antique tractor display area, coordinate equipment needs and assist with the annual tractor pull.

This year’s featured tractors are Massey-Harris models, and Richie encourages anyone with antique tractors, farm equipment, pedal tractors, hit-and-miss engines, or vintage farm trucks to bring them to Memorial Park for display. He notes that exhibitors do not need to belong to a tractor club to participate. They only have a registration area by at the infield where equipment is at. Awards and plaques will be presented for outstanding displays during the weekend.

The community parade begins Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the Antique Tractor Parade through the park at 4 p.m. The Antique Tractor Pull takes place Sunday, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. and the competition starting at 11 a.m.

Styer talks with Richie Litzenberg, coordinator of the antique tractor activities at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Richie says one of his favorite parts of the festival is reconnecting with fellow tractor enthusiasts and showcasing tractors that have often been restored and passed down through generations. His own family enjoys the hobby together, with his children already owning tractors of their own.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” Richie says it is especially meaningful as a fifth-generation farm family celebrating 160 years on their family farm. He believes the theme recognizes both America’s heritage and the importance of preserving farming traditions for future generations.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Keeps Tradition Alive Through Contests and Games

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Cora Baitz, coordinator of the Contest and Games Tent at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

Click HERE or click on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!

Cora shares about her lifelong involvement with the festival and highlights the variety of traditional contests visitors can enjoy, including sack races, bubble gum blowing, nail driving, speech contests, math competitions, arm wrestling, and the annual Cookie Contest.

Cora explains how these activities have remained a part of the festival for generations, helping preserve its old-time traditions and family-friendly atmosphere. She also discusses this year’s Cookie Contest, the cash prizes available, and the excitement surrounding a hot air balloon offering tethered rides Saturday. This year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” reflects the festival’s focus on honoring local farming heritage while looking toward the future.

Click HERE for more info on the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Lynn Brady Talks with WNZR About the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Art Contest!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Lynn Brady, Art Committee Chair for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival, about this year’s Youth Art Contest.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Lynn Brady, Art Committee Chair for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Lynn Brady shares that she has served on the festival board for about five years, although her family has been attending and helping with the festival for nearly two decades. This year, Lynn and her daughter oversee the festival’s Youth Art Contest.

The contest invites students in grades one through twelve to create artwork that is displayed throughout the festival. Entries come primarily from Centerburg-area schools, but local homeschool students also participate. Lynn says the contest is a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their creativity while becoming part of a long-standing community tradition.

Lynn Brady explains that the artwork is displayed in the shelter house nearest the intersection of Routes 3, 36, and 314 inside Memorial Park. The exhibit remains open throughout the festival weekend, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to view the students’ work.

Students typically register through Centerburg schools, local art teachers, or homeschooling groups, with artwork being submitted through the Centerburg Library. Lynn says awards include first, second, and third-place ribbons, honorable mentions, and Best of Show honors for elementary, middle school, and high school students. New for this year are special patriotic awards tied to the festival theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” along with a President’s Choice Award and a Grand Marshal’s Choice Award.

Lynn Brady says one of her favorite parts of the festival is watching families enjoy activities together and seeing students proudly show their artwork to parents and grandparents. She says the excitement on the children’s faces makes the art contest especially rewarding.

As someone who enjoys history, Lynn appreciates this year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward.” She says the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary is a meaningful milestone and is glad the celebration has been incorporated into the festival and the youth art contest. Lynn encourages families to visit the art exhibit during the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival and enjoy the creativity, talent, and community spirit that students bring to the annual event.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Returns September 19 & 20

The Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival returns to Memorial Park September 19 and 20, bringing a weekend of family-friendly activities, demonstrations, exhibits, food, crafts, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the area’s agricultural heritage. WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently talked with Donna Strosnider, Board Secretary for the festival, about what visitors can expect this year.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

The festival is completely free to attend and begins Saturday morning with a parade through downtown Centerburg. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy pony rides, historical exhibits, agricultural demonstrations, craft booths, food vendors, church services, and the popular horticultural exhibit. This year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” celebrates America’s 250th birthday while recognizing the history and progress of farming and rural communities.

Several longtime traditions will return, including the annual pie auction on Saturday evening, which serves as the festival’s primary fundraiser. The auction features creative pie and specialty packages from local bakers, artisans, and community members, with proceeds helping sustain the festival.

The horticultural exhibit will feature 40 categories, special ribbons for record-setting entries, new competitions, and the “Little Sprouts” category designed for young children. Visitors can also learn about history from Valerie Hamel, the “Civil War Herb Lady,” and see the return of the tractor parade at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Volunteers are an important part of keeping this free community festival running, and help is especially needed with setup, cleanup, and selling commemorative T-shirts, including a special edition shirt celebrating America’s 250th birthday. For the complete schedule, volunteer information, and festival details, visit oldtimefarmingfestival.com or find the Old Time Farming Festival on Facebook.

WNZR will be in the parade at 10am on Saturday and then at the Park for a live broadcast on Sunday from Noon to 4pm.

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Little Miss Tomato Takes Center Stage Tonight at the Fredericktown Tomato Show

The Fredericktown Tomato Show gets underway with plenty of family fun, and tonight, all eyes will be on the Main Stage for the Little Miss Tomato Contest! WNZR recently talked with Tomato Show Board President Kim Fearn about this special tradition.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

This year, 17 six-year-old contestants will compete for the title, with each girl wearing a red dress and taking part in a two-minute interview on stage. The contest begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. on the Main Stage at Main and First Streets, with one winner and three runners-up selected by out-of-town judges. The interviews are often one of the most entertaining parts of the evening, making this a fun event for the whole family!

Kim also shared details about the official Tomato Show merchandise, including $15 T-shirts, $20 travel mugs, and $20 fleece blankets, available at the Hospitality Tent during the festival. This year’s theme, “Unity, Freedom, Remembrance,” recognizes America’s 250th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of September 11. WNZR will be LIVE “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the Fredericktown Tomato Show, bringing listeners the excitement, events, results, and community stories from the festival. Tune in to WNZR and visit wnzr.fm for more information and your chance to win great prizes!

Click HERE for more information.

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Community, Hospitality & Giving at the Fredericktown Tomato Show

The Fredericktown Tomato Show is all about community, and WNZR recently talked with Tomato Show Board Member Lindsey McGowan about one of the places where that community spirit comes to life—the Hospitality Tent.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link with the picture below.

Lindsey is in her fifth year with the Tomato Show and helps organize volunteers who welcome visitors, answer questions, and sell Tomato Show merchandise. The Hospitality Tent is located on Main Street next to Kokosing Water Park and will be open Wednesday through Friday from 4–10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 2–10:30 p.m. Visitors can stop by for merchandise, enter drawings, and connect with volunteers throughout the festival.

One of Lindsey’s highlights of the week is the Plate Auction, featuring 10 unique plates with all proceeds benefiting the Chris Fearn Well Scholarship Fund. For Lindsey, the auction is another example of how the Tomato Show brings people together to support one another. WNZR will also be right in the middle of the action! We’ll be LIVE and “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the Fredericktown Tomato Show, bringing you highlights, events, results, and the excitement of the festival. Tune in to WNZR and visit wnzr.fm to learn more and register for prizes!

Click HERE for more information.

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Ready, Set, Splash! The Fredericktown Bathtub Races Are Back!

Get ready for one of the most unique events at the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show—the Bathtub Races! WNZR recently talked with Fredericktown Tomato Show Board Member Mike Smith, who has been involved with the event for more than 20 years.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation or click on the link with the picture below.

Teams take cast-iron bathtubs, revamp them, add wheels, fill them with water and ice, and then race down the course with one person riding in the tub while another pushes. This year’s classes include a Church Challenge, First Responders, School Organizations, and Businesses, with teams competing for prizes and the rotating championship plaque.

The Bathtub Races take place Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on the north end of Main Street, with registration beginning at 5 p.m. Participants will need to sign a waiver and present a driver’s license; those under 18 will need a parent’s signature. First place in each class wins $90, second place wins $60, and the fastest overall time earns an additional $60. Mike says the race is harder than it looks, but it’s all part of the fun—and for him, this year’s theme of community and fellowship is what makes the Tomato Show so special. Come cheer on the racers and enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the Fredericktown Tomato Show!

Be sure to stay connected with WNZR for complete coverage of the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show! We’ll be LIVE and “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the week, highlighting the exciting events, sharing results, and bringing you the fun from the festival. Visit wnzr.fm to learn more and register for your chance to win great prizes!

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Showcasing Creativity through Flowers & Photography at the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show

WNZR recently talked with Fredericktown Tomato Show Board Member Carrie Levering about the flower, horticulture, and photography shows happening during this year’s Tomato Show.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link with the picture below.

If you enjoy flowers or gardening, bring your entries to the Thrall Masonic Lodge on Wednesday, September 9, from 2–6 p.m. There are a variety of flower and horticulture classes, with judging beginning at 6:15 p.m. Entries and winners will be available to view later that evening and remain on display through Saturday at 6 p.m., with flower pickup beginning at 4 p.m.

Photography enthusiasts of all ages are invited to participate, too! Photos can be submitted Wednesday, September 9, from 2–6 p.m. at the Mayor’s Office. There are categories for kids, teens, and adults, along with special awards for Best Use of Color and Best Use of Light. Carrie says you don’t have to be a professional—just bring your photos and join in the fun! For her, one of the best parts of the show is seeing the creativity and talent the community brings. She hopes this year’s theme will shine through in the flowers and photographs and encourages everyone to be part of this special Fredericktown tradition.

Be sure to stay connected with WNZR for complete coverage of the 2026 Fredericktown Tomato Show! We’ll be LIVE and “On the Road with Big Blue” throughout the week, highlighting the exciting events, sharing results, and bringing you the fun from the festival. Visit wnzr.fm to learn more and register for your chance to win great prizes!

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2026 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival Flower Show Results

This year’s Theme was “Celebrating America’s 250 With Floral Designs”.

Congratulations to all winners! Click HERE to see a full photo album on the WNZR Website. We also shared some pictures below the results.

The Living Center Residents Results

Junior Horticulture and Artistic Results

Adult Artistic Results

Adult Horticulture Results

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The Flower Show returns to the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with JoAnne Graham, Co-Chair of the Flower Show at this year’s Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture below.

JoAnne shares the excitement of this year’s theme – “Celebrating America’s 250 through Artistic Designs”. She gives highlights of the different classes and what judges look for in a “Best of Show” entry. The Flower Show will be at The Living Center, 201 N Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon.

Stop by and see the displays:
Friday 8/14 – 6pm – 8pm
Saturday 8/15 – 10am – 8pm
Sunday 8/16 – Noon – 4pm

Click HERE for more information about the Flower Show and this year’s festival.

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