Loogootee Summerfest Kicks Off with Community Celebrations

Braydyn Lents

3 days ago

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LOOGOOTEE, Ind. — The annual Loogootee Summerfest kicked off tonight at 5 p.m., bringing a wave of youthful anticipation and community excitement to the streets for another highly anticipated celebration.

The opening evening featured a major leadership transition for the community, as local radio station WRZR announced the hiring of Megan Hawkins as the new Executive Director of the Martin County Community Foundation. Hawkins was officially introduced to the public on the Summerfest stage by Greg Bateman, who noted that the news had become “kind of the worst kept secret over the last week or so” before being finalized.

“Congratulations to Megan Hawkins; she will take over for Curt Johnson, who retired this year,” WRZR and Greg Bateman announced on Facebook before the festivities got started.

Bateman and Mayor Ader praised the Martin County Foundation’s impact on local infrastructure, highlighting its role in funding local pickleball courts, the swimming pool, the park, the arrival of the Martin County Alliance Group, and renovations to the little league fields in town. He also honored Johnson’s 11-year tenure, noting that the foundation “has just grown phenomenally” under his leadership.

Hawkins expressed gratitude as she took the stage to address the crowd. “As everybody knows, I have big shoes to fill from Curt Johnson and previous directors, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Hawkins said. “I have a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to that continuous growing and continuing the work in the county.”

Following the announcement, the focus shifted to the festival’s opening night traditions. Cheyanne Hudson was crowned the winner of the annual Tiny Tots Queens Pageant, taking home the title amid cheers from the audience. Amelia Mudd was named the runner-up. Following the ceremony, family and friends gathered to celebrate alongside the contestants, offering congratulations and complimenting Hudson and Mudd on their performance and elegant evening gowns.

Festival organizers noted that the community is still eagerly awaiting word on who won the official Miss Summerfest title, with announcements expected to follow as the festival continues.

Adding a historic milestone to the evening’s festivities, Loogootee Mayor Brian Ader took the stage to deliver a prestigious state honor. Ader presented the Indiana 250th Celebration Lantern, a symbolic artifact being passed from community to community throughout the State of Indiana. The traveling lantern initiative is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

“The lantern symbolizes the light of our shared history and the bright future we are building together,” Ader said, noting that while the physical lantern is only in Loogootee for a short time, it represents “a committed community, service, heritage, and the people who make Loogootee special.”

Ader drew a parallel between the historic artifact and the evening’s pageant contestants. “It seems fitting that we gather here tonight to celebrate our young ladies who represent the future of our community,” Mayor Ader said. “Just as the Indiana 250 lantern is being passed from one community to another, we are continually passing our knowledge, traditions, and values to the next generation.”

The Loogootee Summerfest will continue through the weekend with a full lineup of food vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Tomorrow, festivities will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and again on Saturday from 8 a.m. with the 5K run and pickleball event to 10 p.m.

Here is a schedule of the events happening tomorrow and Saturday:

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

5:00 – 10:00 PM

Vendors open

Downtown Loogootee

5:00 – 10:00 PM

Pony Rides — provided by Sugar’s Ridge Ranch

Downtown Loogootee

5:00 – 10:00 PM

Carnival Rides — provided by Lark Ranch

Downtown Loogootee

8:00 – 10:00 PM