Two popular festivals celebrating local history are canceled

Annie Oakley Festival and Gathering at Garst rescheduled for 2021
Live re-enactments are just part of what's offered at the Gathering at Garst in Greenville.

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Live re-enactments are just part of what's offered at the Gathering at Garst in Greenville.

Two Darke County festivals, Annie Oakley Days and the Gathering at Garst, have been canceled due to COVID-19 safety concerns.

“After receiving our guidelines from the Darke County Health Department, and in discussion with our committee members, we felt it was best for us to cancel this year’s event out of concerns for the health, safety and well-being of the community,” JoEllen Melling, the festival president, posted on the organization’s Facebook page.

0729Annie-p2 Tiffany Richardson, Dayton, shoots out a balloon while on horse back during the 1st Ohio Cowboy Mounted Shooting Show held at the 38th Annual Annie Oakley Festival. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: HANDOUT

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Credit: HANDOUT

The Annie Oakley Festival has been rescheduled for July 23-25, 2021. The popular three-day event includes a parade, live music and a shooting competition.

The Gathering at Garst has been rescheduled for July 24-25, 2021.

The celebration of Darke County history features a living history encampment, primitive folk artists, antique dealers, thundering cannons and more.

Though the festival has been postponed, the Garst Museum has reopened.

The museum, 205 N. Broadway in Greenville, is home to the National Annie Oakley Center and hosts exhibits about broadcaster Lowell Thomas, and the Treaty of Greenville.

Annie Oakley face masks can be purchased in the gift shop for $10.

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