The Howe Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 33rd Annual Founders Day Festival on Saturday, May 4 from 2 pm to 8 pm in the historic business district of Howe on Haning Street. But the event may be expanded to another street due to the number of vendors who have preregistered. With a little over a month to go, the chamber has announced that there are 62 retail spaces as well as five food and drink vendors. In comparison, last year’s vendor total was 53 retail vendor spaces and four food and drink vendors. The chamber is currently having discussions about expansion to another street in the downtown area if vendors continue to sign up.
There will be many things to do for the Founders Day patron as two other organizations are also having events in and near downtown. The nearly-completed Summit Gardens wedding and event venue will hold a silent auction in the EDC/Chamber office from 2 pm – 7:30 pm. They’ll host a BBQ dinner at FBC Howe’s Fellowship Hall starting at 5 pm and then a live auction at Summit Gardens at 7:30 pm.
The annual lawnmower race is hosted by Advanced Business Machines and it is scheduled for 5:20 pm for a location to be determined due to Haning Street being full of vendors.
MUSIC
Musical entertainment will be provided by Bent Creek from 2 pm – 4 pm. This is the third consecutive year that they’ll be performing on stage at the Howe Founders Day. At 5 pm, Montecito will begin their live performance which will conclude at 8 pm.
BASEBALL
The Howe Youth Baseball organization will host the First Annual Founders Day Ferguson Classic which will feature a Howe vs. Howe 6U baseball game at the newly remodeled Ferguson Field (within walking distance from downtown). A parade of Howe 6U players will stroll through downtown at 3 pm with pre-game festivities at 3:30 pm including a ribbon-cutting, a ceremonial first pitch by Howe Mayor Jeff Stanley, and special recognition of former Howe Youth Baseball Commissioner Ray Bledsoe. Game time is 4 pm. Tyson Foods has sponsored the event which will feature $2 burgers at Ferguson Field.
KIDS
For the kids, the chamber is seeking sponsors to provide the extremely popular Interurban Kid Train to return. It was first introduced in 2017 and has been one of
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Howe Chamber has opportunities for business to be highly visible on the day of the festivities. The main stage has room for banners and the Kid Zone has multiple opportunities. If interested, you can contact the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce at info@howechamber.com or at 903-532-6080.
HOWE HALL OF HONOR
The Founders Day Festival actually kicks off the night prior at the EDC/Chamber office when four members will be inducted to the Howe Hall of Honor at 6:30 pm on May 3. Donna Jarma, Bobby Sollis, Marion Allison, and Lowell Thompson are this years inductees. The event will also reveal the Norma J. Citizen of the Year, the Business of the Year, and the Volunteer Organization of the Year.
