All are invited to Saddle Up for the Western-themed 2025 Bell Tower Festival in downtown Jefferson this weekend.
The festival kicks off Thursday, June 12, at 5 pm with a party on the Bell Tower plaza and the surrounding streets. Vendors and the Brew Station will be open. Kids can enjoy free inflatables and Bingo games will be called until 8 pm.
Judging of a cookie bake-off competition will take place at 7 pm, followed by karaoke at 7:30.
Friday begins with Greene County Medical Center Foundation’s annual golf tournament at the municipal golf course.
Carnival rides will open at 5 pm, and vendors and the Brew Station will also open then.
The opening ceremony with the presentation of the Bell Tower of Fame Award to Michael Brady, a 1961 graduate of Jefferson High School and the holder of more than 20 patents worldwide. Users of Post-It Notes® benefit from his work for 3M. The award presentation will be followed by a reception for Brady.
The jigsaw puzzle contest is returning for a second year, starting at 7 pm. A new event, a Western boot toss, will begin at 7:30. Competitors will attempt to hit a target with boot while standing high in the air on a lift. The winner will receive $1,000.
The Shuffle Couple will provide music for a street dance starting at 8 pm.
Saturday’s activities include something for everyone, beginning with a fundraiser pancake breakfast served by the Jefferson volunteer fire department starting at 6 am at the fire station in the 100 block of W. Washington St.
The Ding Dong Dash, a staple of the festival, will start at 8 am at the Greene County Community Center. A disc golf tournament will start at 9 am at Daubendiek Park. The tournament has a flex schedule so players don’t miss other favorite Festival events.
Big Wheel riders will race at 9:30, and an art festival will open at Russell Park at 10 am. The art will be on display until 4 pm.
The Bell Tower Festival Parade, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jefferson and a centerpiece of the Festival, will step off from Greene County middle school at 11 am. The parade route heads north on Wilson Ave and turns east on Lincoln Way.
The Isiserettes, a crowd favorite in 2024, are returning for the parade. They’ll perform on E. Lincoln Way after the parade. The appearance in the parade is sponsored by Greene County Democrats.
The Greene County high school band and the Town & Country Band will provide music in the parade, and there will be floats created by area businesses and organizations, antique tractors, Civil War reenactors and much more.
Events after the parade are as follows:
•12-3 pm – Reunion Rendezvous near the Brew Station
•12 pm – 3-on-3 basketball tournament begins at Russell Park
•12:30 pm – Pickleball tournament begins at Russell Park
•12:30 pm – Carnival rides, vendors and Brew Station open
•1 pm – Dueling Pianos of Andy and Mike perform, car show opens on N. Washington and E. State Sts; and mud volleyball will start north of the skate park on E. Lincoln Way.
•4 pm – Trivia contest
•5 pm – Bags tournament
•6 pm – Live Bingo
•7:30 pm – Arm wrestling tournament
•8:30 pm – Street dance with music by The Sheet
•9 pm – Star gazing with Drew Sorenson
More than 40 community volunteers have planned this year’s festival, led by chair Phillip Heisterkamp. The committee’s goal has been to provide unique experiences in downtown Jefferson, not only for residents, but for visitors, too.
Visit https://belltowerfestival.com for more information.
