The 2024 Bell Tower Festival with a theme #Go for Gold is this weekend, with activities planned Thursday evening through Saturday night in Jefferson, primarily on the courthouse square.
New to the Bell Tower Festival is a pie baking competition during the Thursday Night Block Party this Thursday, June 6, on Lincoln Way east of the bell tower.
Entries can be one-crust or two-crust pies. Pies will be awarded up to 100 points based on flavor, filling, crust, overall appearance and creativity. There is no entry fee, but the winner will receive $100 and the runner-up will receive $50.
Pre-registration is highly encouraged at Pie Baking Competition Registration (jotform.com), but walk-up entries will be accepted. Entries can be dropped off at the Thursday Night Block Party from 6:45 to 7 pm, with judging at 7. Once the judges have been served a piece of each pie, bakers may taste test other pies (subject to each baker’s preference.)
A free Family Fun Night Thursday will feature a family movie on the courthouse lawn. The Bell Tower Festival committee is partnering with the Jefferson public library with a showing of “Little Giants,” the 1994 classic family sports movie. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket; the Friends of the Library are providing free popcorn.
The Ding Dong Dash returns for another year, hosted by the Jefferson park and recreation department. The 1-mile fun run will start at 8 am, with the 5K and 10K races starting at 8:20 at Greene County Community Center. Registration is available at https://gccc.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs
Russell Park will be the scene for a pickleball tournament, with check-in starting at 12:45 pm Saturday. Games will start at 1 pm.
Teams of two will play, with every team having at least one player 18 or older. The tournament will follow USA Pickleball rules, with a single elimination bracket. First place team will win $200 with the second place team winning $100. Registration is $20 per team. More information and registration is available at Pickleball Tournament Team Registration Form (jotform.com)
Russell Park will also be the location of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by AAI/Spalding. Play will begin at 12 pm. Register at Greene County Community Center (activityreg.com)
After a hiatus, mud volleyball is returning to the festival, with a tournament slated for Saturday, June 8, starting at 1 pm. The mud courts will be located at the field south of the city softball fields and parking lot on E. Lincoln Way, on the Greene County Fairgrounds.
First place team will win $250 and the second place team will win $150. Teams may have up to 10 people on the roster, but only six will be on the court at a time. At least two players on the court must be female. There is a $100 per team registration fee.
Register at Mud Volleyball Team Registration Form (jotform.com).
A trivia contest will be held in the event tent at the corner of Lincoln Way and Wilson Ave at 4 pm. Teams of up to eight persons will answer three rounds of 15 questions of general trivia, with specific categories that are on-theme (to be announced at the festival).
There is no registration fee, and the winning team will receive $100. Register at Trivia Team Registration (jotform.com)
Daubendiek Park will be the site of a C-tire PDGA-sanctioned disc golf singles tournament. Flex starts will be Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Players will complete 18 holes. More information is available at 2024 Bell Tower Flex (2024, Daubendiek Disc Golf Club) · Disc Golf Scene.
The bags tournament has moved from Friday evening to Saturday at 5 pm. Registration is on Scoreholio.
Complete information and all registration forms are at https://belltowerfestival.com.
