www.facebook.com/grassroots.festThe Grassroots Festival returns to Union Saturday, Aug. 14, featuring a street fair, car show, live music and family-friendly activities.

By John Vollinger

Go! Magazine

UNION — The Grassroots Festival and Car Show returns this year with a stacked lineup of music, races and other activities. This event is free to attend, and activities run all day on Saturday, Aug. 14, in the historic small town of Union.

The festival starts with the city-wide yard sales and VFW breakfast at 7 a.m., transitioning to the opening of vendors and the Library Book and Bake Sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. If you’re looking for a bit more contest and activity, the Car Show and Poker Walk run the same hours.

New this year is the Color Fun Run starting at 8 a.m.

Although the run is a new edition to the festival, there will still be familiar events, including the Chalk Art contest from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and the Lawn Mower Races, where the drivers have to maneuver through an obstacle course.

Additionally, rubber ducks can be purchased from the upcoming Union High School senior class of 2022, to be raced down Catherine Creek for a prize. All funding goes toward their senior trip.

A small carnival will be set up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and not to be missed is the pie-eating contest at 1:30 p.m.

Though there have been sporadic rain showers in the area recently, the fire department isn’t taking any chances with the heat and will park their firetruck in the middle of the road with the promise of dousing any patrons who need to cool down.

Throughout the event there will be live music. From 11 a.m.-5 p.m. enjoy the country stylings of Terry Lamont and Steve Campbell and the Americana tunes of The Wasteland Kings.

The day will end with a Family Street Dance from 7:30-10 p.m. with DJ K.C. Kunkle.

For more information, check the festival’s Facebook page, Grassroots Fest.