For the 105th time!
By Monty Siekerman
The day dawned bright and shiny for the 105th annual Farmers and Merchants picnic. A nice day brings out the crowd for the downtown parade (see Ada Icon parade photos on Monday evening), the picnic, the entertainment, free swimming, and a day of visiting friends and neighbors at Ada War Memorial Park. In a way, the F&M is like a community reunion since many of those who moved away return to visit those they have known.
Over the years, the festivities have changed. People don’t bring their picnic baskets to the grove anymore, but rely on sandwiches and sides from vendors. The day was perfect for swimming and you can’t beat the price—free. Also, Saturday was the last day for the pool to be open this season.
Rain the night before made the grounds too wet for the horse show, but the damp earth did not impede the truck and tractors pulls, which have gained in popularity in recent years. New this year is a large dog park, open 7 days a week from morning until night.
Proceeds from many of the activities (food sales, amusements, ring toss, for example) go into park improvements.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Michael E. High was a millwright
- Ada School board meeting scheduled for June 30
- Put a little more Ada in the Icon
- Big CAT makes short work of Main St. home
- Eight vehicle injury crash on I-75 near Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025
- Anna Marie Beagle taught at Allen East Elementary
- Updated trash pickup times during extreme heat
- Noteworthy dress rehearsal and concert with potluck, June 23 and 29
- Unconstitutional presidential action
- Hardin County Commissioners send letter objecting to HB 335
- Canvases create Ada Public Library art gallery
- Ada Athletic Boosters, Pony Pals Horse Club consult with Park board
- Upcoming APL events, June 23-28