The annual Cromwell Days festival kicks off Friday, July 19. Festivities, food and live music is going on all weekend.

Friday at 4 p.m. in the uptown area, craft and food vendors open. Jon Ness will be performing on the stage from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Opening ceremonies, emceed by Ken Edwards from WRSW 107.3, and the annual car and motorcycle “cruise-in” begin at 6 p.m. Over at the library kids ages 3 to 6 can participate in the Kiddie King and Queen contest at 6 p.m.

The hula hoop contest starts at 7 p.m. Jacob’s Pizzeria pizza eating contest begins at 7:30 p.m. Actual Size will be performing oldies on-stage from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday at 8 a.m. vendors open, there’s a 5K run through the park, and registration for the community barbecue cook-off begins. Then the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club is serving a pancake and sausage breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Lions Club co-ed softball tournament starts at 9 a.m. Teams are still needed, contact Theresa Airgood at 574-529-4338 if interested.

Also starting at 9 a.m. is the three-on-three basketball tournament with Tom Schermerhorn and the radio-controlled car races. Coyote from FAN 102.7 will host the RC races, and prizes go to the winners.

The corn hole tournament starts at 10 a.m. Call Larry Henshaw at 765-524-7810 to register. Early registration is $25, and late is $35.

Sparta Township Fire Department will be serving hillbilly hotdogs from noon to 4 p.m. Noble County Sheriff’s Department will be demonstrating its K-9s at the United Methodist church starting at noon.

Judging for the barbecue competition starts at 2 p.m. as does registration for the Subway eating contest. Samaritan helicopters will be at the UMC from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Their departure will signal the commencement of the grand parade at 3 p.m.

The theme for this year’s parade is “A Place to Call Home.” Roger Schermerhorn will be announcing, and Chris Cage from Willie 103.5 is the parade disc jockey.

Cash prizes are being awarded for best use of the theme. Categories being judged are family, organization, business, and antique vehicles. First place fetches $75, second $50, and third $25.

At 4 p.m. the fire department starts serving its fish and chicken dinner, and the Subway eating contest begins. Bells and Bows square dancing will be uptown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., during which the barbecue contest winner will be announced.

Closing out Saturday evening is the Inclognito Cloggers from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and classic rockers, the Junk Yard Band, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. A small fireworks display is planned after the concert.

Scales open at 7 a.m. Sunday for the annual tractor and truck pull. Community worship service begins at 10 a.m. at the Cromwell Community Center. After the service, tractor and truck pulls will be going on all day.

For a complete schedule or more information visit online.