Fri 6/17-Sun 6/19
Since its debut in 2004, the Duck Tape Festival has drawn nearly a half million duck tape enthusiasts from all around the country to Avon, Ohio. Annually, the event draws more than 60,000 duct tape enthusiasts from around the world, from as far as Hawaii, Canada, England and beyond.
“The event was created when longtime residents in the Avon community approached the Duck Tape company to help resurrect the city’s dormant Festival of Flowers,” says Patti Sack, media manager at ShurTech Brands. “The company agreed to be the title sponsor, albeit suggesting to add a sticky twist to pay homage to the company’s flagship product — Duck Tape, also an integral part of the business community in Avon.”
Festivities begin Fri 6/17, at 5pm. The festival is held at Veterans Memorial Park, where free parking is available.
The major highlights and attractions are vast. From a lively parade featuring floats made out of Duck Tape to a fun arts and crafts tent to life-sized Duck Tape sculptures, there’s loads for all to enjoy. Visitors can nosh on delicious all-American food favorites, jump on rides, play family-friendly games and more.
With a full line-up of live musical performances, there’s plenty of musical choices to satisfy many musical palettes. Heavy metal rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Lita Ford will be taking the stage Fri 6/17 at 8:30pm. (Lita is best known for her lead guitarist role in the popular all-female 70s band, The Runaways.) There’s even the “All-American” fashion show where Duck Tape enthusiasts can enter their Duck Tape outfits, show off their designs on the Main Stage, and have their chance to win the grand prize: a two-night stay and waterpark admission for four at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.
Fabulous news — there’s still time to enter the “All-American” fashion show! Simply fill out the registration form here (you can submit online, via fax, mail or in-person at the festival). Use Duck Tape to create at least one main article of clothing (example: dress, pants/shorts or skirt) and at least one accessory (example: hair bow, shoes, hat) to qualify. (Each participant is required to wear at least one main article of clothing and one accessory made out of Duck Tape.) This year’s theme is “Americana” so create your best patriotic attire!
Then on Sat 6/18, show up and strut your stuff on the main stage for a chance to win the grand prize. The fashion show starts at 1:30PM, but entrants must arrive at 12:30PM. And the do-good bonus for participating in a fun, inspired and unique event is that $10 per participant entry fee will be donated to the USO and the Greater Cleveland Fisher House, up to $10,000!
“The Duct Tape Festival is a fun, family-friendly event for people of all ages,” Patti says. “The festival is special because it encourages people to embrace their creativity and nurture their ingenuity.”
For a full line up of the weekend schedule, click here.
[Photo by Ken Blaze for NBC.com]
[written by Kendall Embrescia-Hridel]
Cleveland, OH 44113