Hope Heritage Days opens Friday

It hardly can be considered surprising anymore when, at least once each year, thousands of folks descend on the so-called surprising little town of Hope, estimated population 2,200.

It is, after all, time for the 55th Annual Hope Heritage Days Friday through Sunday on the historic Hope Town Square on Main Street.

That means gospel music — especially important in a community founded by a Christian missionary — food, vendors of nearly every stripe, a car show, a parade, and, well, a parade of history, too.

The theme is “All Roads Lead to Hope.” And, with a fall festival as festive as this one, who is going to argue?

Here are some highlights from the schedule, taken from the event website at hopeheritagedays.org.

Friday

• 5 p.m.: Booths open.
• 6 p.m.: Vendor food and bazaar booths open.
• 6 to 8 p.m.: WYGS Gospel Sing featuring Ernie Haase and Signature Sound with comedian Mickey Bell, Hauser High School Gym, 9273 N State Road 9.

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Hotwired (Bandstand), town square.

• 8:30 to 10 p.m.: Wild Bill & The Bruisers (Bandstand), town square.

Saturday

• 8 a.m.: Booths open, town square.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Yellow Trail Pioneer Village, Jackson Street lot.
• 9 a.m.: Heritage Classic Cross Country Meet (on Jackson Street).
• 10 to 11 a.m.: Horseshoe tournament, $5 per player, behind old fire station.
• 10 a.m. to noon: Studebaker and classic car show, First Baptist Church lot.
• Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators presentation at the bandstand.
• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Dr. Hope medicine show 0n Jackson Street.
• 12:30 to 2 p.m.: Kiddie pedal tractor pull sign-up on Jackson Street.
• 6 p.m.: Oddz R band on Jackson Street main stage.
• 7 p.m.: Jennifer Mlott on the bandstand.
• 8 p.m.: Elvis and Michael Jackson tribute bands on Jackson Street main stage.
• 9:30 to 10 p.m.: Fireworks, weather permitting.

Sunday

• Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Cottonpatch band at the bandstand.
• 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.: Circle City Stompers Clown Band
• 2:15 p.m.: Flyover, followed by parade.
• 2 to 3 p.m.: Kiddie pedal tractor pull heats on Jackson Street