Haynes-Apperson Festival begins today
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The Haynes Apperson Festival is here! Kokomo's keystone summer event kicks off this afternoon, June 29, at 5 p.m. with rides and carnival attractions, a car show, and live music at the Kokomo Performing Arts Pavilion in Foster Park.
The event, now in its 47th iteration, was established as a celebration of the community's automotive heritage. As such, the Haynes-Apperson Festival kicks off at 3 p.m. today with a commemorative classic car tour of the city, beginning at "Pumpkinvine Pike" (2064 S. Goyer Road), where Elwood Haynes first tested his Pioneer motor car.
The tour route will take participating motorists from the parking lot at Grace Community Foursquare Church, which occupies Pumpkinvine Pike's original location, to the Elwood Haynes Museum at the intersection of Boulevard and Webster Street.
From there, the route winds through the center of the city, passing through the former Haynes Automobile Co. and Apperson Bros. Automobile Co. campuses along South Main Street. Eventually, the tour ends along West Superior Street in front of Foster Park, where Haynes-Apperson Cruise-In takes place from 6-9 p.m.
The musical acts take the stage at 6 p.m., beginning with local band Love 4 Zero, followed by headliners Here Come the Mummies.
Friday's events are highlighted by a cruise-in at 5 p.m. featuring hot rods and "street scene" vehicles, followed by Hence the Hero performing at 6 p.m., and Ace Frehley of KISS headlining at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 1, is the big day for Haynes-Apperson aficionados. The annual sports festival, which actually began on June 24, will wrap up most of its events that day. The Haynes-Apperson Car Show starts at 9 a.m., and the rides and booths open at noon.
The Haynes-Apperson Parade will begin its march through downtown at 2 p.m. The route begins at the intersection of Market and Walnut streets, heads north to Jefferson Street, west to Main Street, and south on Main to the courthouse square for judging.
The evening gets rocking at 6 p.m. with Rogers Ritual Band opening for Starship with Mickey Thomas at 8 p.m. The festival caps off with a fireworks show immediately following the concert at approximately 10 p.m.
The schedule of events is included below:
Thu., June 29
3 p.m.: Lineup for Commemorative Run
5:15 p.m.: Leaving Church for the Kickoff off Commemorative Run ending at Foster Park
5-11 p.m.: Carnival Rides
5:30-9 p.m.: Pioneer Auto Club Cruise-in
6 p.m.: Love 4 Zero
8 p.m.: Here Come The Mummies
Fri., June 30
Various times: Men's slow-pitch softball @ Northwest Park
Various times: Women's slow-pitch softball @ Northwest Park
5-11 p.m.: Carnival Rides
5 p.m.: Kokomo Street Scene Cruise-in
6:30 p.m.: Hence the Hero
8 p.m.: Ace Frehley
Sat., July 1
Haynes-Apperson canoe trip (call 765-432-6782 for details)
Various times: Men's slow-pitch softball @ Northwest Park
Various times: Women's slow-pitch softball @ Northwest Park
Various tee times: Golf tournament @ Chippendale Golf Course, 1047 Golf Course Lane
Various times: Street Pole Vault @ Foster Park
8:30 a.m.-11 p.m.: Disc Golf tournament @ Highland Park
9 a.m.: Kids Track Meet @ Jackson Morrow Park
9 a.m.: YMCA Haynes-Apperson 5K
9 a.m.: 3-on-3 basketball tournament @ Foster Park
9-3 p.m.: 46th Annual Haynes Apperson Car Show
10 a.m.: Pickleball tournament @ Carver Community Center, 1030 N. Purdum St.
12-5 p.m.: Carnival Rides  Â
12 p.m.: Parade check-in and lineup
2 p.m.: Parade downtown on Main St.
4 p.m.: Cornhole tournament @ Grace Fellowship Church, 2700 S. Park Road
6:30 p.m.: Rogers Ritual Band
8 p.m.: Starship with Mickey Thomas
10 p.m.: Fireworks
Sun., July 2
Various times: Men's slow-pitch softball @ Northwest Park
Various times: Women's slow-pitch softball @ Northwest Park
Thu., July 6 - Sun., July 9
Various times: Haynes-Apperson tennis tournament @ Kokomo High School
Visit haynesappersonfestival.org or the festival's Facebook page for additional information.