MOORESVILLE — Mooresville Old Settlers Queen candidates Brianna Card and Brooke Uhls will finish their fundraising events today.
One of them will be crowned Queen of the event Sunday, August 5 at Pioneer Park.
The 147th rendition of the Mooresville Old Settlers picnic and celebration will begin a day earlier than normal this year, with the Delta Theta Tau Flagtown 5 and 10 K race/walk at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, and an acoustical music festival from 1 to 8 p.m. the same day — both at Pioneer Park. Food service will be available.
The traditional outing is Aug. 5 to 7 at Pioneer Park on Indianapolis Road.
The event began in 1870, when town founder Samuel Moore donated five acres to hold a reunion of pioneers. With the exception of years during World War II, the festival has provided entertainment, food, fellowship and fun ever since.
Mooresville Lions Club has managed the event since just after World War II, when returning veterans restarted the festival. Profits from ride tickets and booth rentals are shared with the Mooresville park system and the remainder goes to charity throughout the year. No money is retained for club events, which are paid for through dues.
Many other community and school groups participate and use the festival to raise money for charitable causes. Area businesses and agencies also provide marketing and information booths.
The festival begins at Mooresville High School with the Veterans Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5. Rides open following the parade, and the Kappa Kappa Sigma Queen coronation is at 7 p.m. The project raises money through a pancake breakfast, spaghetti dinner, bake sales and other events.
The first contest was in 1964, and over the years, $100,000 was raised to help buy equipment for the Pioneer Park swimming pool.
Entertainment on the stage begins right after the parade Sunday, followed by the queen contest and then music until 11 p.m. Performing Sunday will be the Spring Hill Christian Center, followed by Jim Harris’ band at 4 p.m. Mike Whitlock’s band will perform after the Queen Contest.
Music begins Monday night at 6 p.m. with Steve Byrd, and the Free Wheeling America Band will hit the stage at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Discount carnival ride tickets, saving up to 30 percent of cost, are available at the main, Monrovia, Plainfield and Heartland Crossing branches of Citizens Bank, Allen’s Barber Shop, the office of Dr. Phil Wright, Hong Kong restaurant, Village Barber Shop and the Pioneer Park office.
