Toronto’s Gem City Days ready to roll

TORONTO - The Focus in Toronto organization is set to sponsor another Gem City Days on July 4 with activities ranging from inflatable toys for children to play on to a turtle race at Newburg Landing Park.

The day, organized by the Focus in Toronto organization and co-sponsored by the city chamber, will begin with a tentatively scheduled pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Toronto Masonic Lodge. The Robert Urich Memorial 5-Mile Run/5K Walk is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. for runners and 8:15 a.m. for walkers at Toronto High School.

Also, the Patriotic Kids and Pets Bike Parade will begin with lineup at 9:30 a.m. at the city gazebo commons, according to Brenda Cich, Focus in Toronto chairman.

"Prizes will be awarded, and all entrants receive a treat bag," said Cich, adding a food court also will be available for participants. "The Toronto Lions Club will hold a chicken barbecue at Sloane Station Square at Fourth and Market streets. The city will close Market Street for activities. Fourth Street will be blocked at Market Street."

Quarter bingo will be featured from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Third and Market streets, while inflatable toys for children to play on will be on Fourth Street across from National City Bank.

"The city pays for the inflatable toys," said Cich.

A Children's Sidewalk Art Contest begins with registration at 10 a.m. and the contest at 11 a.m. at the city gazebo commons. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places, said Cich. Also, a cornhole tournament is scheduled at noon.

"(Those participating) can sign up at the information booth on Market Street," said Cich. "All the contests will have nice prizes."

A children's watermelon-eating contest is scheduled to begin at noon, while the watermelon seed-spitting contest will begin at 12:30 p.m., and prizes for both contests will be awarded.

Also, a wing-eating contest between the police and city fire departments is slated for 2 p.m., while the T-Town Teeny Tiny Turtle Race begins at 3 p.m. at Newburg Landing Park, according to Cich. There is a $500 grand prize for the adoptee of the winning turtle, along with $100 for second place and $50 for third place, she added.

"Turtles can be adopted from any Focus in Toronto members or at the Olive Branch floral shop on Fourth Street," said Cich, adding each turtle can be adopted for $5. "We also have Gem City T-shirts for sale at the Olive Branch or during the Gem City Days festival. The T-shirts are really festive this year with fireworks on the front and the names of the (festival sponsors) are on the back."

The T-shirts are $10 for youth sizes and $12 for adult sizes, except for extra-large shirts, which are slightly more, according to Cich. Shirts can be pre-ordered until Saturday at the Olive Branch, and anyone purchasing a T-shirt will receive a $2 discount on a turtle adoption.

Cich recommended those wanting 2XL and 3XL T-shirts should stop at the Olive Branch and pre-order.

Judging for the fourth-annual Patriotic Home Decorating Contest will be July 2-3, and first-, second- and third-place contestants will be announced during the pre-fireworks program at Clarke Hinkle Stadium on July 4. All applications must be submitted by July 1 by either mailing application forms to Focus in Toronto, P.O. Box 43, Toronto, OH 43964 or by filing online at focusintoronto.com. Application forms are available at area stores or at the Olive Branch.

"Also new this year will be sand art for the kids," said Cich. "We try to do something new every year, and kids seem to really like sand art."

Festivities at the stadium begin at 8 p.m. with fireworks scheduled for dusk.

"Our proceeds raised benefit future Gem City Days, the Festival of the Arts and the annual Christmas Parade, as well as a $500 annual college scholarship," said Cich. "We also donate to various charities throughout the year. Some portion of our proceeds will be donated for the Toronto fireworks, also."

For information, go to focusintoronto.com.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)