Shelby Harvest Festival gets rolling with Big Wheel races.

Shelby Harvest Festival gets rolling with Big Wheel races.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

SHELBY — A new twist to the Farm to Table Harvest Festival this Saturday, Oct. 1, are Big Wheel races for all ages. The only catch for adults is they have to race backwards.

This year marks the fourth annual fall celebration in downtown Shelby, said event organizer Tim Harvell. 

The Big Wheel races will begin at 1 p.m. on Fourth Street where lanes will be chalked out. “Shelby Public Schools has been kind enough to provide the Big Wheel bicycles if you don’t have one of your own,” said Harvell. 

“We have different age groups, and adults have to go backwards. If it gets too crazy, we’ll have some bales of hay to hopefully save some bumps and bruises,” said Harvell of the adult race. There will be a trophy awarded to the winner of each division. We’ll see how it goes. We’ve never done one, and we’re pretty excited about it.”

The festival will take place rain or shine, but the forecast is looking promising for a beautiful sunny day.

A gourmet family-style pulled pork dinner with baked beans, coleslaw and cider will be served from 4-6 p.m. Dinner tickets are $7 per person or $30 per family.

“We’re going to have a bunch of food trucks down there as well. And we’ll have about 15 craft vendors.”

Children can tour first responder vehicles, such as fire trucks and police cars. There will be many free activities for kids, such as a rock wall, bounce house and games. Adults can compete in corn hole.

The fun-filled event is a collaboration of efforts provided by Shelby Village, Shelby Township, the Shelby Chamber of Commerce, along with many sponsors.

“We did not know what to expect last year, and we ended up with 1,000 people in downtown Shelby,” said Harvell. The organizer is anticipating an even larger turnout this weekend.

The family-friendly event is multicultural, he said. “We have a mixture of Hispanic music and Top 40. We will also have a pinata contest and lotteria game, which is kind of a Mexican version of Bingo.”

Local favorite, Rocket Fuel Haulers, will perform from 5-7 p.m. Rated the #2 cover band in Michigan, RFH plays billboard hits from today back to the 70s.

The annual event is expected to grow with a large ferris wheel possibly in the future. “We’re already talking about plans for next year. A big 40-foot ferris wheel in the middle of downtown Shelby would look pretty cool.”

Schedule of Events

8-10 a.m.: Pancake breakfast sponsored by the Shelby Rotary Club at the Shelby Congregational Church.

9 a.m.: .5 (half) K Fun Run/Walk sponsored by the Ladder. Registration required.

9 a.m.: Waffle party by Fresh Point Nutrition, 175 N. Michigan Ave.

10 .m.: 5K Run sponsored by the Ladder. Registration required.

Noon: Festival kickoff featuring the Shelby High School Marching Band.

1 p.m.: Big Wheel race sponsored by Shelby Public Schools. Sign-up required.

3:30-4 p.m.: Square dancing group — Melody Mates.

4-6 p.m.: Pulled pork dinner by Blue Line Catering. Ticket purchase required.

5-7 p.m.: Rocket Fuel Haulers concert.

Happening All Day:

Noon to 5 p.m.: DJ mixed music

Noon to 7 p.m.: Craft market

Noon to 7 p.m.: Balloon animals

Noon to 7 p.m.: Face painting

Noon to 7 p.m.: Pumpkin painting

Noon to 7 p.m.: Pony rides

Noon to 7 p.m.: Puppet shows

Noon to 7 p.m.: Kids’ games and carnival rides.

For more information and to purchase dinner tickets online, visit www.shelbyharvestfestival.com. Participants can register for the .5K Fun Run/Walk and the 5K Race at https://www.theladdercommunitycenter.com/5k.html.

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