Events, activities galore at Hamlin Wheel Fest

From horseshoe tournaments to fire and ambulance rescue demonstrations to an appearance by Sponge Bob Square Pants® to a silent auction, children’s activities and various food and vendor booths, the annual Hamlin Wheel Fest promises a day filled with fun and interesting events.

The event kicks off on Saturday, June 4 at 10 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m. when the evening caps off with a fire works display. The ever popular cruise-in event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers visitors a chance to glimpse unique or antique vehicles.

This year there will also be a quilt display and demonstrations that will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Larry Merritt Hall. Crafters and members of the Genesee Valley Handspinners Guild will be selling and demonstrating their wares from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. also.

Shama Lama, the headline musical act, will perform from 6 to 10 p.m. The group performs music from the 1950s.

Kathi Rickman, the event coordinator, said that Wheel Fest is a family friendly event. “We try to have activities for everyone.”

Cruise-in to be bigger, better
Dust off the old cruiser and take a ride to the Hamlin Fire Department Field June 4. The Eighth annual Hamlin Wheel Fest cruise-in will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be dash plaques and goodie bags for the first 150 entries. There are newly designed awards for: best truck, best motorcycle, best import, oldest vehicle, cruise crew choice, ladies choice, special interest, long distance, popular choice and chairperson’s choice. Many door prizes will be given away between the oldies tunes of Amazing Sound.

There is a same day registration fee of $5 per vehicle.

Kid’s corner offers child-sized amusements
The Kid’s Corner is filled with many new items as well as a return of past favorite hands-on activities.

Sponge Bob Square Pants® or Patrick Star® will be on hand for children to have their picture taken with before entering the Kid’s Corner Tent. Pictures with Sponge Bob and Patrick are $3. Children can get up close to animals in the children’s petting zoo or if they’ve always wanted to be a cowboy or cowgirl take a ride on your favorite horse. An adopt-a-pet program will be featured as well.

Children can have their face painted. Twinkles the Clown might look over your shoulder as you do a paint-and-take item from Country Cove Ceramics. Make a button with Twinkles from noon to 3 p.m.

There is still more to do with the Hamlin Youth Group’s golf game. Check out Discovery Toys and the group from the up-coming Clarkson Rodeo. There will be rides and participation with “I Got It.”

Silent auction features unique items
Proceeds of the silent auction at this year’s Wheel Fest will go to the “Friends of the Hamlin Public Library.” Some unusual items have been donated along with the many gift certificates from local merchants.

There will be books, framed photography and paintings by local artists adding a little culture to the event. There will be children’s toys, home-made items, holiday decorations and much more.

Items are being accepted at the Hamlin Town Clerk’s office or you can call and a committee person will come to pick it up. No item is too large or too small.

Fudge making demo planned
Wallace Garden and Country Store will be at the Hamlin Wheel Fest making fudge on the premises. They will be bringing their equipment for demonstrations and will offer a free sample while supplies last. Check out their booth and see some of the treats from fudge to jam.

Get educated, be prepared with fire demonstrations
The Walker Fire Department will be in high gear at the Hamlin Wheel Fest with their new off road rescue vehicles. The equipment was in service just a short time before it was put in action. The Walker’s Fire Prevention Team and the Hilton’s Fire Education Trailer will be there.

The Hamlin Wheel Fest Committee, in conjunction with all emergency services that service the community, want not only to entertain that day but to educate attendees. It’s not just fire departments that answer the calls, that is why Hamlin Ambulance will be on the grounds also. Support these volunteer organizations and let them know how much their dedication is appreciated.

Walker Fire Department will also have a chicken barbecue. Profits from the dinners benefit the volunteer organization.

Second annual quilt show set
The Hamlin Wheel Fest will hold their second annual Quilt Show in the Larry Merritt Building in front of the Hamlin Fireman’s Field on June 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There will be more than 100 quilts on display with the following demonstrations going on throughout the day: English paper piecing, flower pounding, fabric bowls and boxes, locker hooking, adding borders to a quilt; keepsake tee shirt quilt, quilt basting, binding a quilt, mitering corners, crocheted fabric rug, paper foundation piecing and crazy quilting.