CENTERVILLE — It may be snowing outside today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, but the folks at Americana Festival, Inc., are thinking of summer and their July 4 Americana celebration, now in its 36th year.

This year's theme, Celebrating 50 Years of Open Space...Park District's 50th Anniversary, highlights the city and township's parks and gives another reason for celebration, according to Americana Festival president Joy Brush.

At the October annual meeting Brush was among the officers and board members elected for 2009. They included: Larry Blank, chairman of the board; Mark Sarver, secretary/treasurer; James Reppert, executive director; and Jack Kindler, executive vice president.

Brush announced the following appointments: Stephen Wenstrup, vice president of marketing/sponsorships; Robert O'Connor, vice president of administration; Joseph Turner, vice president of logistics; Mark Childson, legal counsel; and Wendy Motsinger, vice president of publicity.

Feb. 21 is the date for the kick-off planning meeting. If you'd like information about the meeting, you can call the Americana office at 433-5898.

The grand marshal of the parade will be decided upon at this meeting. Anyone wishing to nominate someone for this honor can send their recommendation with name and brief bio to Brush at americanafestival@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in being a sponsor can contact Steve Wenstrup at 428-9700.

A new event this year is the Americana Sting Baseball Tournament. Brush said this event will involve the area's young people.

"We are looking at other events as well and will be reporting on them as soon as plans are formalized,' she said. "One such event is a home/business patriotic decorating contest."

They still need a chairman for this function, she said. Anyone interested can call Brush at 439-1117 or e-mail her at americanafestival@gmail.com.

The group's Web site, www.americanafestival.org is still being updated, but has information about the various activities and applications and registration forms. For further information, you can also e-mail the festival organizers at: americanafestival@sbcglobal.net.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.