Chamber thanks volunteers and the community

Huntington Heritage Days 2022 were a major success thanks to the many dedicated volunteers who so generously gave of their time, talent and resources. The Huntington County Chamber of Commerce staff would like to say how much we appreciate the time given this year.

Congratulations to Huntington University for 125 years of Christ, Scholarship and Service for students and the community. We also congratulate them for creating the winning theme entry of the parade, and for the sponsorship of Heritage Days 2022.

Thanks to the administration of the City of Huntington including Mayor Richard Strick for all their help, and the County of Huntington to include County Commissioners Rob Miller, Tom Wall and Terry Stoffel for the use of the County Annex where the carnival workers camped for the week. Also many thanks to Adam Cuttriss of Public Works & Engineering Services and Bryn Keplinger of Community Development & Redevelopment.

We appreciate the kind attention of Tim Bischoff and the city street department for arranging barricades, cones and street safety. The Chamber also thanks them for their help with clean up following Heritage Days. Thank you to Cory Boxell and the police department for their assistance. Special thanks to Terry Miller and Boy Scout Troop #130 along with several scout leaders for their help with clean up.

Several groups helped to make Heritage Days possible. Transportation needs were met by the use of Gators and we thank Greg Ricker of the Huntington County Courthouse and Bob Jeffers and Butch Williams of Huntington County Emergency Management, and to Jim Friermood at Sportsmobile for storage of the Gators during the festival. We appreciate all those who helped with and participated in the annual parade including Paula Kimmel, Gerald Smelser, Mike Skeens, Michelle Crone and Rachel Farmer.

We thank Britt Sather and McDonald’s of Huntington for making the Kids Zone possible, sponsoring the pony rides and petting zoo; Richard Fishburn and Heath Pinkerton from Christian Life Tabernacle and the Mission International for bounce houses, obstacle course, Archery Tag and the supervision of these; Huntington City-Township Public Library for the Bookworm, crafts and games; Rebecca Morin and Beacon Credit Union for their sponsorship of the kiddie tractor pull – “Pulling for Riley”; Parkview Health for the visitation of the Samaritan helicopter and ambulance and the Huntington Fire Department, Juergens Hardware, Casey’s General Store and Helena Agri-Enterprise LLC.

Thank you to Pastor Chris Hayden and the Central Christian Church for the use of their parking lot and the use of the lawn during the Hot Air Balloon Festival. Thank you to Brenda Holzinger and Danny Stoffel of H&H Disposal for their use of four dumpsters during all of the activities.

The Friday night vehicle show would not have been possible without the support of Erin Covey of MetroNet and Randy Crago and the Busted Knuckles Auto Club. Thank you for a well-organized event and thank you to all who participated.

Thank you to Max Kaylor and Fred Crago and the Huntington County Disaster Team for traffic control during the parade. Thanks to Chris Smart and Pat Johnson and their crew for organizing and working through the Hot Air Balloon Festival Saturday also at Huntington North High School. Special thanks to D.J. Dick Smart for announcing the entire afternoon and evening through the car show and balloon glow. Thank you to the food vendors who kept the crowd well-fed. We also thank the Huntington County Community School Corporation for the tours of the Learning Center and the new All-Purpose Stadium at Huntington North High School.

We appreciate the Izaak Walton League and their presentation of the “bear hunt” and the Huntington County Modelers for their event at the former Northwest School and participation in the parade.

Heritage Days would not be possible without the hard work of the Heritage Days Steering committee who meet throughout the year under the direction of Jason Fields, chairman. We offer our thanks for their dedication to all of the events. We thank the local Rotary Club for the annual Strawberry Feed; Rose Wall and Ruth Marsh for heading up the Chief’s Breakfast; Dawne Pearson and Janelle Buzzard for the Little Miss Heritage Days Pageant; Joe Wiley, parade line-up; Samantha Garcia for her supervision of the judges and judges stand for the parade; Charles Chapman for announcing the parade and Kyle Metzger for the use of his sound system; Bobby Blair and the JROTC students for carrying the Heritage Days banner and the Color Guard unit; Richard Fishburn and Heath Pinkerton, Kids Zone; Paula Kimmel for publicity and Max Kaylor and Fred Crago and the Huntington County Disaster Team, HNHS vehicle show.

We thank Katy Strass and Rob Blackham and the LaFontaine Arts Council for organizing JeFFFest each year. JeFFFest is enjoyed by so many in the community and is a great way to wrap up the Heritage Days weekend.

We thank all the people in the community who held breakfasts, dinners, cook-outs, cook-offs, served as food vendors and supported the many other activities that were included in this year’s Heritage Days events. Thank you to Greenbear Photography for all the great photos of the events. Thanks to everyone who visited the carnival and enjoyed the rides and food.

The Chamber of Commerce thanks the great people of Huntington County who participated in and attended the events. The success of each year’s Heritage Days is dependent on your support. It was great to get back together as a community to enjoy all of the festivities again.

Sincerely,

Steve Kimmel
Executive Director
Huntington County Chamber of Commerce