Findlay gears up for VetFest

FINDLAY — The second annual Flag City Community VetFest is coming June 13 to Broadway Street. The event — a production of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office presented by Rate — will feature a variety of activities including performances by four bands, food trucks, a beer tent and special recognition of local veterans, veteran-friendly employers and veteran-owned businesses. Gates open at 3 p.m. The Shifferly Road Band will perform from 4-5 p.m. with the Band reVerb taking the stage from 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed from 7-8 p.m. by Graveyard Daisies. The night's headliner is Voodoo Haze playing from 8:30-10 p.m. "VetFest is about bringing people together. It's a chance for veterans to connect with each other, but also to say thank you to the community for all the support they've shown us over the years," said Ed Newton, resiliency operations manager for the Hancock County Veterans Service Office. The music fest ends at 10 p.m. Newton said the idea for the event dates back to 2023. Staff started looking at what's provided for veterans at the office and realized there's a gap between the veterans they make a connection with and the younger veterans. "It seems like we weren't making very good contact with the younger veterans. They're the ones with busy lives and kids, raising families and living life," he said. As a result, the younger vets aren't always able to attend the office's resource fairs and other events. "We just thought, let's have a community music festival for families and the community. And maybe that's something they can take the family to, have supper, do some of the activities there with their kids and listen to some good music. They can just intermingle with the community and other veterans as well, and just have a good night," Newton said. Last year's debut event — a tribute to both Flag Day and the U.S. Army's 250th birthday — drew an estimated crowd of 1,500 and 1,700 people. A video recap of the 2025 festival can be found on the organization's website. "For a first one, it was exceptional," said Newton. "We're looking for a little bit bigger one this year." He said they're still receiving compliments on last year's festival. "They'd say, man, I went last year, and I'll tell you I'm not going to miss this year. People would put on our Facebook page, this is the best event in Findlay. And we were just so happy with the outcome that we could provide that and be part of that," he said. Although there will be some tables and chairs and bleacher seats, attendees are welcome to bring a lawn chair, said Newton. He noted that this is a non-booth event. "We have events throughout the year where we do our resource fairs and have all the booths. This is nothing more than let's get veterans and the community together and they can show appreciation for each other with no pressure. Just come out and have some fun and celebrate our community," he said. The music will include everything from outlaw and older country music all the way to new country music being played on the radio today, said Newton. "And the same with rock. We've got classic rock. We've got current rock. So it's going to be a really good mix, a little bit of everything, he said. A flag raising ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., performed by Cub Scout Pack 324. Newton said the Shifferly Bank will then play the National Anthem to kick-off the show. Seven food trucks will be onsite, and Romick Railway will provide train rides. Half Pint, a half scale version of a M1A2 Abrams main battle tank built at the Lima Tank Plant, will be at the event. Newton said the tank is functional and shoots t-shirts and foam balls. The spring car driven by Benton Ridge native Greg Wilson will also be on display. Thirty minute breaks between bands will include a special announcement, said Newton. Visitors will also get to see the Army's punching bag display and the Marine Corps pull-up challenge. There may even be some local people enlisting in the military that will take their initial oath of enlistment on stage, he said. A graduation event for the Guitars for Vets will also be held. During the final break, three local veterans will be recognized, as will three veteran-owned businesses and three veteran-supporting businesses in the community. A VetFest motorcycle ride-in will be held. Riders will leave the AMVETS and make several stops before heading to Liberty-Benton School where they will receive a police escort to the festival on Broadway. The motorcycles will park inside the gate, said Newton. Visitors will also see Jeep stacking. And a crane will raise a 15- by 30-foot flag some 100-feet over the stage. "I mean, we're going to have some fun," Newton said. Commemorative souvenirs will be sold, and donations of canned and nonperishable items will be accepted for the City Mission. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 12 will be admitted free. VetFest is open to the community. Proceeds will benefit Wreaths Across America, Hancock County Veterans Endowment supporting a veteran housing initiative, local food pantries and Toys for Tots. Newton said the biggest shoutout goes to this year's 42 sponsors which is double the amount they had last year. In the event of rain, the fest will be canceled. There is no makeup date. VetFest is still seeking volunteers. A link to help can be found on the Veterans Service Office's website. "This goes both ways," said Newton. "We're honoring those who served and also recognizing how much it means to have a community that stands behind us. At the end of the day, it's about connection, gratitude and having a good time with good people."