The Morning Thing is helping you get ready for the Memorial Day Weekend.

There are many wonderful activities going on this weekend for you and your family.

The 43^rd annual Sertoma Ice Cream Festival in Utica kicks off Saturday 5/27 and continues through Memorial Day.

The annual parade starts on Saturday morning at 11 in the village of Utica. The parade will form at the Utica High School located at the intersection of Church and Jefferson Streets and travel throughout the downtown streets of Utica.

Sunday, there will be a car show, displaying over 450 classic cars. Other activities include pony rides, an ice cream eating contest, and a balloon toss.

The festival will be held on Ohio 13 one mile south of Utica, on the grounds of the Energy Cooperative and Velvet Ice Cream Company.

The times for the Festival will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Look for the Big Blue Crew at the Utica Ice Cream Festival on Saturday for the parade. We will be throwing out candy! We will also take our Big Blue crew to the festival from
2-5pm. Come see us in the parking lot of Ye Olde Mill. Sign up to win a gift certificate for Velvet Ice Cream or Ye Olde Mill!

Click here to see a map for the parade.

Click here for the complete festival schedule.

Many Memorial Day celebrations are planned
There are several Memorial Day ceremonies for communities throughout Knox County scheduled for Monday.

In Mount Vernon, there will be a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday starting on East High Street. The parade is followed by a dedication ceremony on the steps of the Memorial Building at 11:30 a.m. and an open house until 2:00 p.m.
Click HERE to hear our conversation with Kevin Henthorne, Executive Director of the Knox County Veterans Service Office. Kevin shared details of Monday’s special service in Mount Vernon.

Click HERE to see the changed route for the Mount Vernon parade.

There will also be a special re-dedication and open house for the renovated Memorial Building in downtown Mount Vernon. You can enjoy tours, theater programs and FREE refreshments from 11:30 a.m – 2:00 p.m. Click HERE to hear a conversation with Sara Lynn Kerr, Executive Director of the new and improved Knox County Memorial Building.

Centerburg will have a parade at 10:30 Monday morning, starting at the post office. Services at Eastview Cemetery will begin at 11:00.

In Fredericktown, events begin at 9:30 Monday morning at the east side of the square. The flag will be raised at 9:45, followed by the playing of the National Anthem. The parade will begin at 10:00 moving to Forest Cemetery.

Danville’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the square, heading to Memorial Park. Millwood Church of Christ pastor Dave Jones will be speaking at the park.

We also shared some yummy recipes from www.allrecipes.com for your Memorial Day picnics and gatherings.

Sensational Sirloin Kabobs

Steve’s Bodacious Barbecue Ribs

Cola Beans

Classic Macaroni Salad

Happy Memorial Day Weekend from WNZR!