The TVHS marching band leads the parade at the Mentone Egg Festival today, Saturday, June 1.

Text and Photos
By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — The rain held off for most of the day so the Mentone Egg Festival’s main events could take place today, Saturday, June 1. This year’s festival was Thursday, May 30, through Saturday, June 1. The three-day event featured live entertainment, games, food, and a parade.

The Mentone High Class of 1974 was honored during this year’s Mentone Egg Festival as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. An open house took place in the afternoon at Mentone Elementary School’s gym. This year’s parade marshals were the class of 1974, the last graduating class at the former high school.

The Valley football team was flipping pancakes for breakfast Saturday at the fire station. A festival favorite, the egg toss, also took place. Mentone United Methodist Church members sang gospel music Saturday afternoon.

The Miss Chick and Mr. Rooster contest took place. The awards went to Gemma Harris, who is Miss Chick, and Gracen Harris, who is Mr. Rooster. Both siblings are from Warsaw. Cousins Lucas Surface and Tinley Cody, who were crowned the 2023 Mr. Rooster and Miss Chick, handed over the crowns to this year’s winners.

The inflatables, games, flea markets, garden tractor pull, and craft booths also took place in downtown Mentone. The Egg City 5K/one-mile walk took place this morning. The 29th annual Egg Festival Car, Truck and Motorcycle Shown and the Echoes of the Past Tractor Show was Friday. The car show had one of “the largest turn-outs” ever, according to Tim Croy, the chamber’s vice president. As far as the festival, there were 43 vendors this year, he said.

The aroma of barbecue was wafting throughout downtown as the Backyard BBQ Cook-Off also took place. Chicken and ribs were popular as contestants grilled up meat for the judges’ palates. Awards for the Backyard BBQ Cook-Off were  presented at 4:30 p.m. today.

Mentone United Methodist Church sang gospel music Saturday afternoon. Winners of the cutest baby contest were presented at 6:30 p.m. and the crowning of Miss Mentone is at 7 p.m. tonight. The festival will wrap up with the Family Feud Game Show at 7:30 p.m. today.

MHS Open House

At the old high school, which is now the elementary school, graduates met to celebrate and catch up with old friends. There was a class and county players Hall of Fame display. All graduates were invited to visit with friends and reminisce about their high school days. Each table noted the different classes, including 1967 and 1974, and pictures and names were on display for each alumni who have since passed away. Alumni looked at old class photos and clothing, such as sweaters and jackets.

This year’s Miss Chick and Mr. Rooster went to Gemma Harris, left, and Gracen Harris, both siblings.

The Class of 1974 was this year’s parade grand marshal. The alumni were the last graduating class at the high school.

Chuck Drudge was cooking up burgers for Wheels on Fire.

The best farm equipment award in the parade went to Aaron Shafer, who accepted the award from Tim Croy, left, town council member and chamber member.

Donnie Whitaker cooks up ribs for this year’s barbecue cook-off. Fifteen people competed for bragging rights in this year’s contest.

Dennis Anderson (class of 1955) and Fred Anderson (class of 1957), brothers and MHS alumni, chat about the good old days at an open house at the elementary school.

From left Nash Brallier (class of 1963) and Steve Mikel (class of 1963) and Nancy Mikel (class of 1966) look at memorabilia at an open house held at the elementary school gym, which use to be Mentone High School.

Pictured from left are Jessica and Trevor Wiltrout and Alice (Surface) Keirn. Keirn (1957) is president of the Mentone alumni association and Trevor is her grandson.

Pictured are Jan (Mollenhour) Haupert (1960), Phil Nelson (1960), and Robert Haupert (1959), all MHS alumni.

Janice (Perry) Hatfield, left, and Loretta (Remy) Coffin, both 1959 Mentone High School alumni, look through old yearbooks at the open house.