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Americana Festival

7 Tips for A Great Time at Centerville’s Americana Fest

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Being lifelong Daytontians and Centerville natives, gives you a strong knowledge and experience with the Americana Festival Parade and Fireworks that happen on July 4th.  Food Adventures is here to pass this knowledge off to those of you smart enough to be following DaytonMostMetro.

First of all realize there is an influx of 100,000 people into the Centerville area in a 12 hour time frame.  From the parade to the fireworks, that is a lot of holiday celebrators.

Here are some tips to help negotiate through the crowd and have an efficient and enjoyable day.

-HIT BILL’S DONUTS 8:30am (*update as fate would have it 2017 Bills is putting in a new parking lot during the festival and will be closed.  but in future years, this applies)
Start the day off right. Get in there while people are just drizzling in. The line will go fast if there is any. Get one of America’s favorite donuts and a milk. You got energy for a couple hours now.

-GET THERE EARLY:  This applies to both the PARADE and the FIREWORKS. For the parade, like we said, hit Bill’s first and get over to the parade route about 9am. Throw down your chair, eat your donut and wait for the show. The parade begins at 10am on East Franklin Street, west of Centerville High School, and proceeds West to Cline Elementary on Virginia Avenue. As for the fireworks, which are shot off from Centerville High School Stadium, 500 E. Franklin Street, go about an hour early. In this year’s case, Brass Tracks band is performing at 8:30pm so get there 7:30pm.

-BRING A FOLDING CHAIR:
This is a must. You can sit where you want and not on a dirty curb. You wont have to play musical chairs on a park bench. We just saved your pants from becoming a dirty butt.

Cooking up some chops

-SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE FOOD VENDORS:
Set up camp to watch the parade on the side where the food vendors are. That way if you need a drink, port-a-let or some food you can get some before the parade ends. If not you will have to wait to cross the street until 11:30am. Give yourself an escape option.

-HEAD TO BENHAMS GROVE FOR SOME FOOD VENDORS WITH SMALLER LINES:
As soon as things end, make a beeline to the pretzel booth in the center of town, then walk to Benhams Grove, which is at 166 N Main St. If the lines are short along the way, hit some food vendors. If lines are long, the Benhams Grove vendors usually have short lines early in the day and the area is a beautiful place to eat and drink while visiting with family.

-ACTIVITY CENTER PARK IS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR KIDS ACTIVITIES:

The streets will be lined with food, head to Benhams Grove too !

Got kids? You have to hit the Activity Center Park located between Marions Pizza and a bank building. From bouncy houses, to kids games, water fountain park, and playgrounds, the kids will love this place.
The street fairs goes on until 5pm.

-IF HEADING TO THE STADIUM FOR FIREWORKS, PARK ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL:
Like we said. The band starts at 8:30pm. Get there 7:30pm park on the East Side of the school so when you leave, you have a shorter distance to the exit by hundreds of cars. When the fireworks are over, you’ll be grateful you did.

Hungry Jax with an Amish Soft Pretzel

 

 

 

So there you have it… Get the best out of your Americana Experience ! Do you have some tips to share?
Please put them in the comments below so we can share them with all of our readers!

Also, follow the Miami Valley’s favorite food blog, Food Adventures, on FACEBOOK HERE.

 

100,000 hungry people

Wshington Township Courthouse

We love their crawfish etoufee !

Parade en route

Bills Donut line an hour before the parade !

 

 

100,000 People Expected at Food Filled Americana Festival

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Look down the street, hungry people as far as the eye can see !

July 4th will mark the 40th annual Americana Festival in Centerville.  Wouldn’t you know that The Big Ragu & Crew are veterans of practically every single Americana Festival over the years.   We can’t think of a better way to celebrate America’s Independence that a brisk walk through the intersection of State Route 48 and Franklin Street, sampling food selections from various vendors.  With over 100 spots to eat, this is a perfect opportunity for a summer Food Adventure.   From typical festival fare like funnel cakes and to healthier choices like salads and grilled chops, there is something for every taste bud on hand.  The food tour stretches from the center of town, down through Benham’s Grove and the Activity Center Park.   French Fries, Deep Fried Snickers, Roasted Corn, Chinese food and Gyro Vendors are just some of our favorites on the yearly hit list.  We would be amiss if we didn’t mention the various icons that will be open along the street such as Bill’s Donut Shop, City BBQ and Graeter’s Ice Cream.  You can even enjoy a Marion’s Pizza near the classic car show in their parking lot.  Ohhh Americana, how we love thee!

Hey there, Pork Chop !

If you need the scoop on one of Dayton’s largest festivals, here you go:

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— July 4th events start at 7:30am with a 5k Run/Walk – Always a nice start to a guilt free Food Adventure

— Parade starts at 10am sharp near Centerville High School and typically lasts until 11:30am

— The Street Festival runs from 11am-4pm with over 300 vendors (many of them food booths)

— Festival ends with a Fireworks Display at Centerville High School Stadium at 10pm

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Now for the rumbling stomachs that sound like a fireworks grand finale, here are your Food Adventure MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— Nothing says independence like a mouthful of powdered sugar and fried dough, so get yourself a damn Funnel Cake

Nothing says Independence like Powdered Sugar and Fried Dough

— Grilled Pork Chops – Various vendors are serving up these chops that weigh as much as a small dumbell

— Roasted Corn – More than knee high by the 4th of July, don’t forget the brush and buttery dip option

— Gyro’s – The Greek vendors at this event never disappoint.  Grab a Gyro with the works, which sometimes includes some Caesar’s Salad lettuce on top

— Philly Cheesesteak – A little known secret of the festival is that some vendors fire up the grills as early as 9:30am.  We took advantage of this one year.  We also should have taken a tums.  Huge, mouth watering, stuffed sandwiches.  Just look for the banner “Italian Sausages & Philly Cheesesteaks”

— Deep Fried Snickers – Ok, so admit it, you have always wanted to try one.  If you like rich foods and gooey chocolate, give it a whirl.  It is like a small, powdered corndog with chocolate inside.  Everyone should try these just once.  Put it on your July4th bucket list.

— McDigger’s Pub – Go inside and grab a cold libation at the corner of Elm and East Franklin St.  They also grill burgers and sausages on the patio.  This is the only bar we know of where a round of drinks costs about the same as a local Moose Lodge.  Just aim your beer burps the other way, please.

Whether you grab a pretzel donut or a grilled chicken wrap with Uncle Sam on stilts, this shindig is as much a celebration of taste as a celebration of the stars and stripes.  So get yourself to the center of Centerville and see why this festival is one of the biggest in Dayton.  Are you a veteran of the event?  Then comment below and tell us your favorite bites from the Americana Festival!

Your hometown foodies Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu wish each and every one of you a happy 4th of July.  Enjoy the local street food and more on this warm summer’s holiday.  This festival definitely shows off “America the Beautiful !”

Browse through our photos below, they will light your firecracker !  “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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Jane’s Best Bets (6/29 – 7/4)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Can you believe the 4th of July is already upon us?  Let’s have a great red, white, and blue week!

On Wednesday, you will be able to enjoy a special Beer Tasting with Beer Guru Charles at Rumbleseat Wine.  Sports fanatics should plan to watch the Dragons as they play the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Field.  If you have a constant craving for live music, listen to k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang at the Fraze Pavilion or make your way to Yankee Trace for Jazz on the Green.  And if you love musicals but prefer to stay indoors, make sure you have your tickets to see The Lion King at the Schuster Center.

On Thursday, head to The Moraine Embassy for After Work Thursdays.  If it’s your date night, take your honey out for a delicious dinner at Coco’s Bistro, where they will be offering 1/2 Price Wine by the Bottle.  If you haven’t yet been to a Pecha Kucha, I encourage you to go to the Yellow Cab Building for Volume 7.  It will be a great idea sharing party, with short presentations by a wonderful and diverse group of people!  (For more info, check out the article here.)   And finally, all of you who would like to hang out in Margaritaville should be sure to get your tickets to see Parrots of the Caribbean as part of the 7th Annual Concert for Literacy at the Fraze Pavilion.

On Friday, put your gardening skills to good use at RiverScape with RiverScape Gardeners.  Although you may not be taking that Italian vacation this summer, you can still see Reflections of Italy at Elaine Balsley Fine Art.  In the evening, you will want to be downtown for First Friday, which is a monthly art hop held at several locations throughout downtown.  (For more info, you can click here.)  If you’re a biker, enjoy the summer weather and participate in the Courteous Mass Ride, starting at Fifth-Third Field.  Also there, you will be able to catch the Dragons game where they will be playing the Bowling Green Hot Rods.  In addition, the Cityfolk Festival will be going on at RiverScape.  Or for a blast from the past, head to De’Lish for An Intimate Evening with Chico DeBarge.  And if for some odd reason you’re not downtown, it is perfectly acceptable only if you are wearing your boogie shoes and getting down tonight with KC & The Sunshine Band at Fraze Pavilion.

On Saturday, RiverScape is the place to be.  Consider “Riding the River” with their kayak rentals, or joining in the fun at the Cityfolk Festival.  Over at Fifth Third Field, the Dayton Dragons will be playing the Bowling Green Hot Rods.  Or, you can catch The Lion King (please don’t actually take him home) at the Schuster Center.

On Sunday, the Cityfolk Festival will still be going strong.  There are also a variety of celebrations around the Miami Valley, including the Fairborn Family Block Party, the Star Spangled Celebration at Vandalia Sports Complex, and the Annual Fireworks Buffet at the Dayton Racquet Club.  Also, if you’re downtown, be sure to see the City of Dayton Fireworks!

On Monday (hopefully you have the day off work!), there are several 4th of July celebrations in the area, such as the Americana Festival – Street Fair (Centerville/Washington Township), the Fairborn 4th Parade
at Fairborn Plaza, the Beavercreek 4th of July Festival at Rotary Park, and Kettering’s Go 4th Celebration at Delco Park.  And if you’re not at one of them, hopefully you’re celebrating the day by cooking out with family and friends!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What did one flag say to the other flag?  Nothing, it just waved.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!