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The City of Hazelwood is gearing up to celebrate its biggest event of the year on Saturday, Sept.  8, with the annual Hazelwood Harvestfest at Howdershell Park, 6800 Howdershell Road next to Fire Station #2.  This year’s theme is, “Experience America, Experience Missouri, Experience Hazelwood.”

City officials are giving a call to action for residents to show their pride in being Americans and to discover everything that Hazelwood has to offer.  “The City of Hazelwood offers ‘much more than you imagine’ and we’re challenging residents to seek adventure in their own hometown and to get involved and enjoy all of its first-class amenities,” said Mayor Matthew Robinson of Hazelwood.  “We want residents to not only be proud of being Americans and living in Missouri, but also be proud of being citizens of Hazelwood.”

American patriotism is at an all-time high after the recent gold-medal performances of several U.S. Olympic athletes.  U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time by winning a total of 21 Olympic medals of which 17 are gold.  The 2012 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team, a.k.a. the “Fab Five,” won the gold medal to become America’s second Olympic all-round team champions since 1996. Plus, there have been stellar performances by many other U.S. athletes during the Olympic Games in London.

Some of the fun things they can experience in the  community range from seeing the legendary BIGFOOT™ to making a splash at the Aquatic Center, working out at two recreation centers to playing 18 holes of disc golf, viewing the multi-colored light show at Musick Park Sprayground to shopping for bargains at St. Louis Mills, and racing go-karts at NASCAR Speed Park to skating at the IceZone and watching a 3-D movie at Regal Cinema 18,” Robinson added.

PARADE ENTRIES

As in years past, a big parade kicks off Hazelwood’s 2012 Harvestfest from the City Hall parking lot at 9 am.  The best viewing areas for the parade can be found along Town and Country, Holiday, Imperial, and Village Square Drive.

Businesses, civic groups and nonprofit organizations are invited to participate in the parade by decorating floats and automobiles that represent this year’s Americana theme.  Residents can also arrange for their scout groups, athletic organizations and student clubs to participate as marching units.

Those interested in reserving a spot for their entry can pick-up application forms at Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson Road, or Civic Center East, 8969 Dunn Road.  Five cash prizes will be awarded to the best decorated/themed parade unit.  The deadline for submitting applications is August 24.

Music will be performed by the Hazelwood West High School Marching Wildcats as well as the John Ford Highland Band.  After the parade ends, the bag pipers will stroll around Howdershell Park and play mini-concerts for the fair goers.

MISS HAZELWOOD CORONATION

At 10:30 a.m., the reigning 2011 Miss Hazelwood Samantha Rieke will host this year’s coronation ceremony on the stage of the St. Louis County Bandwagon located near the tennis courts.  To qualify as a participant, contestants must be young women between the ages of 15 and 19, as well as residents of Hazelwood.  A $500 scholarship and other prizes will be awarded to the new queen.

Applications and contest rules for Miss Hazelwood are available at either recreation center or can be downloaded and printed from the City’s website at  HYPERLINK “http://www.hazelwoodmo.org” www.hazelwoodmo.org.  For more information, contact Jake Junghanel at (314) 731-0980.

Registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 17.  A $75 sponsorship fee is required.  If candidates need assistance in finding a sponsor, the Harvestfest committee will provide them with assistance.