By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
NEW KNOXVILLE – Misting rain couldn't put a damper on the Fourth of July festivities in New Knoxville on the first of two days of celebratory events.

"There's plenty of good food and fellowship," New Knoxville Park Association President Paul Morphy said, adding there were some great bands performing both nights.
The Earthquakers kicked off the musical entertainment Thursday night. The Earthquakers are a new addition to the festival lineup and Morphy said the band was the biggest name that has performed at the village's Independence Day Celebration so far. Morphy said the band Friday night – Back Seat Drivers – also pack a large crowd.
During the two days of the event, Morphy said he expects approximately 5,000 people to attend. Some came just to enjoy the events but some came to enter their pies in the Pie Contest. Morphy said the salsa competition was another new addition to the festival. Entrants had to bring a gallon of their homemade salsa and festivalgoers purchased chips to dip and had the opportunity to sample and vote on the entries.
The pie competition is a popular event at the festival and grows each year. This year's judges included State Rep. Cliff Hite, New Knoxville Mayor Keith Leffel and Auglaize County Commissioner candidate Brent Henschen. There was an added twist to the pie contest this year as the judges had the opportunity to voice their opinions about any thing they wanted.
Softball and beanbag tournaments, as well as Little League games kept the sports enthusiast happy. Homemade ice cream and chicken dinners also drew people in who were looking for some good food. Morphy said the homemade ice cream would sell out by midday Friday.
"It always does," Morphy said.
Festivalgoers also had a chance to pick up tickets for various raffles including cash prizes. There were plenty of things for the younger generation as the festival featured inflatable jumping games, a children's games booth and the always-popular cake wheel.
Morphy said the cake wheel is one of the most popular events at the festival and village residents donate all of the goodies that are given away on the cake wheel.
Fireworks lit up the sky Friday night in a spectacular display of sound and color.
"They've got a reputation for one of the best in the area," Morphy said.
The display lasted for 20 to 25 minutes with 3,500 shells detonated.
Morphy couldn�t say the exact number of volunteers helping the festival this year, but did say there were 80 slots to be filled in just the food tents alone.
"With everything combined there's got to be 200 people (volunteering)," he said.
"The festival, in one form or another, has been a tradition since the village was established," Morphy said. The first documented event picnic occurred in 1897 and was hosted by the Victoria Fire Company.
"We have reason to believe that it went on a long time before," Morphy said.
The festival is a fundraiser for the New Knoxville Park Association, which uses the funds to make improvements at the park. The park was founded in 1980, with the purchase of a piece of property. During the next eight years, park association members made various improvements to the property and it was formally dedicated in 1988.
While the village owns the park, until just a few years ago park association members provided maintenance and upkeep for the park. However the task became too much for the volunteers and the village took over the task.
The park association and the village also are partnering for a new building project for the park. The park's original gazebo was demolished last year because of structural defects. The association has pledged $20,000, half of the cost, to the construction of a new gazebo. The village is picking up the rest of the tab.