Uninsured driver takes a bite out of Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

The annual Beavercreek Popcorn Festival will go on next weekend, but without its main power source after an uninsured driver crashed into it last year.

Nearly 300 vendors set up along Dayton-Xenia Road for the two-day event that draws an estimated 70,000 people each year.

Normally, the festival makes enough money to donate between $10,000 and $12,000 to local charities. But this year, the festival will spend most of that money on a temporary electrical fix.

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"We are going to have to waste almost $8,000 to rent generators for two days," Nancy Hadley, Beavercreek Popcorn Festival organizer said.

An uninsured motorist in November took out an electrical distribution box, but the festival’s insurance only covers the festival while it is going on, Hadley said.

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They were counting on Beavercreek businesses to help, but few have so far. Only about $4,000 has been raised. Hadley this spring said they needed to raise $25,000 for a replacement.

"It’s just really discouraging because we thought people would step up,” Hadley said.

That’s why the festival is giving community members the opportunity to help. Anyone who contributes $100 to the Beavercreek Popcorn Festival will get a T-shirt with a special donor logo.

Festival hours:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, with 5k run at 8:30 a.m.
  • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10; car show registration at 9 a.m.

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