The Otto Township Old Home Days is more than just fireworks, bands, classic cars and food. The event is very much a reunion of family and friends.
“For me, it’s a great way to still give back to the community where I grew up,” said Val English, who moved away more than a decade ago. “After moving to Pittsburgh, I really miss the small-town atmosphere, and this is a great way to show my friends from the ‘Burgh what we’re all about.”
The 27th annual Otto Township Old Home Days continues through Sunday at Otto Township Recreational Park in Duke Center.
A 2001 Otto-Eldred Junior Senior High School graduate, English said she remembers assisting her grandparents in a chamber of commerce tent and as she got older, she was able to help set up the fireworks show.
“Now a few of my friends make the 150-mile trip with me to lend a few extra hands,” English said.
Many others return to Otto Township as well, including Rachel Bogdan, a 2002 graduate of Otto-Eldred, who relocated to Virginia 11 years ago to teach math.
“My dad is one of the original guys to put (on) the Old Home Days fireworks,” she said. “I come home every year to help set up the show. It’s always great to come home and visit.”
One of the event organizers, Suzy Zirkle, said that family and high school reunions are centered around Otto Township Old Home Days.
The event is a reunion, too, for students who are out for the summer, she said.
“The youth of the area enjoy it because they see their friends that they haven’t seen since the last day of school,” Zirkle said.
Having been part of organizing Old Home Days for 20 years, Zirkle said she has witnessed the event grow exponentially.
“We went from no rides to bouncy rides to carnival rides,” she said. “There are more vendors than ever, and we have businesses in the community as well as fire departments serving food.”
Today, Otto Township Old Home Days will include the Street Dreams Car Club holding a car show featuring classic cars, street rods and special-interest vehicles, motorcycles and antique vehicles. Registration will take place from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. behind the Otto-Eldred Junior Senior High School.
From noon to 10 p.m., rides will be provided by American Amusements. A parade will be held starting at 11 a.m. on Main Street in Duke Center that will lead to the park.
Also from noon to 1 p.m., the seventh annual Redneck Olympics will feature tournament-style games: ladder golf, washers and cornhole (bean-bag toss).
There’ll also be a horseshoe tournament, quarter bingo, McKean County Fair Queen candidates, Studio B dancers and a G2 Gymnastics demonstration. The Southern Tier Mini-Tractor Pullers will provide tractor pulls. David Jeffers will perform magic that day.
Entertainment is also on the schedule, including Dave Morris, Fat Lip, Counterfeit and Dark Water Duo.
Fireworks will illuminate the sky at dusk. The rain date is Sunday.
More information about Otto Township Old Home Days is available at www.facebook.com/otohd.
