Lambert Days events, activities planned

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

OHIO CITY — A number of activities and events will be on tap in Ohio City as the village celebrates favorite son John W. Lambert, the American automotive pioneer, inventor, and manufacturer.

Lambert developed the Lambert gasoline buggy, the first practical gasoline automobile available for sale in America, according to automobile historians. He initially designed and built his “horseless carriage” automobile in 1890 and successfully tested it in January 1891 inside an 80-foot farm implement showroom his owned in Ohio City.

Lambert’s three-wheeled surrey-top gasoline-powered buggy had a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine and was a one-seat tricycle with large rear wheels.

This year’s events begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, with the Lambert Days Pageant, held to choose several princesses, while cake and ice cream will be served following the pageant.

The festival gets underway in earnest on Friday, July 15, with a number of activities, including a craft and vendor show, starting at 3 p.m.; a steak dinner (carryout available) at 4 that afternoon; a flag-raising ceremony at Harvey Lewis American Legion Post 346 at 5 p.m.; kids’ games and inflatables, also at 5; a kids’ Wiffleball Home Run Derby at 6 p.m.; music by Jeff Unterbrink, also at 6; a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament at 7 p.m., along with an adult Wiffleball tourney at that time; Monte Carle Night at 8 p.m.; and the rock band Bydus performing at 9 that evening.

Friday evening’s activities will end with fireworks at approximately 10:15 p.m., with a rain date of late Saturday night.

Events and activities Saturday, July 16, will begin with a men’s slo-pitch softball tournament at 8 a.m.; a coed recreational volleyball tournament at 9 Saturday morning; followed by a kids’ Wiffleball tourney at 10 a.m. Saturday. Kids’ games and inflatables will be available at 11 Saturday morning, while a craft and vendor show will also begin at 11 a.m.

Registration for a cornhole tournament will begin at noon, with the tourney to start at 1 p.m. Saturday. A 3-on-3 basketball tournament will also begin at 1 Saturday afternoon.

A hog roast (carryout available) will be held starting at 4 p.m., along with music by Cass Blue. Bingo will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, while music by the Adam Andrews Blues Band will start at 6 Saturday evening.

Adult Wiffleball will begin at 7 p.m., with the rock band Nut Flush performing at 9 Saturday evening.

There will also be a kids’ movie under the stars, beginning at dusk on Saturday.

Sunday’s activities include a continuation of the softball tourney at 9 a.m. and the craft and vendor show at 10 that morning. Registration will be held for the Lambert Days Car Show at 10 a.m., with the show beginning at noon (judging and awards at 1:30 p.m.). Kids’ games and inflatables will begin at noon.

The Lambert Days Parade will line up at 1:45 p.m., with the parade starting at 3 Sunday afternoon. Activities and events will also continued at the park after the parade.

In addition to scheduled events, community garage sales and a flea market will be held all weekend.