Mum fest to honor police this weekend

Tipp City

Mum Festival

When: Friday night, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 26

Where: Tipp City

Admission: Free

More information: www.tippcitymum festival.org

TIPP CITY — A salute to law enforcement is the theme of the 2010 Mum Festival where “Mum’s the Word! You Have the Right to Remain Silent” will echo through the streets Friday night, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 26.

Kate Taylor, festival president, recalled that she always said if she was chosen to lead the festival committee, she’d honor local police.

“It is out of respect. They do so much for the community, and for us as a (festival) committee. They never argue, never complain,” she said.

Taylor also is this year’s parade chairman and her husband, Jay, is chairman of the motorcycle ride event.

She blames her sister-in-law, Kathy Taylor, executive director of the Tipp-Monroe Community Services organization, for luring her into Mum Festival service.

“I’m so glad,” Kate Taylor said of the introduction to the more than 50-year-old festival some eight years ago.

“When I was a kid growing up, it was about the community. You volunteered your time and were making the place better for your kids,” said Taylor, recalling her parents volunteering for a number of activities. “It’s a good feeling.”

The festival includes entertainment, crafts, artwork and a Saturday morning parade, among other activities. Following the annual parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m., festival events are held at the City Park.

The festival kickoff will be Friday night with a car show downtown. A new event for Friday evening will be a raffle, Kate Taylor said. Saturday activities kick off with the 32nd Run for the Mums with about 300 participants expected; while on Sunday, the local vintage baseball team will play.

Concessions at the City Park will include the firefighters’ waffles, along with offerings from a half-dozen local organizations, as well as other vendors, said Kathy Taylor, who chairs the Concessions Committee.

All told, the city will spend about $6,000 on the festival.