By Lindsay Doty
The Plainfield community will have a busy Saturday with the Quaker Day Parade, Quaker Day Festival and more.
For the first time in more than a decade, Plainfield residents will get to watch the town’s annual Quaker Day Parade along its original route on Main St. (U.S 40) or National Road.
The Plainfield Chamber of Commerce started the parade on Main in 1972, but it had to be rerouted around 10 years ago to Buchanan Street for drainage system repairs.
“Everyone we have spoken with has been very excited about the return to Main Street,” Plainfield Chamber Board Chairman Rick Shaw said.
Followed by the 10 a.m. parade will be the Quaker Day Festival on the lawn under the trees at Plainfield Friends Church. It includes lunch in the church basement, crafts and a car show.
Local businesses are also part of the Saturday festivities. The Oasis Diner will host a Tenderloin Eating Contest at the Bicentennial Park directly west of the diner (405 W. Main St) parking lot. A celebrity contest with well-known Plainfield community members will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. The public contest opens up at 1:30 pm. The first participant to completely eat an entire 7 -ounce tenderloin sandwich (including bun and toppings) and stand upright will be declared the winner. The winner will receive an Oasis Diner gift card.
The fun weekend will also sync up with the Plainfield Community School Corporation’s Homecoming weekend. The marching band, show choir, mascot, homecoming king and queen, “Teacher of the Year,” and the food truck operated by students will all be involved in the Quaker Day Parade and festivities.
“I think having the two community events on the same weekend helps promote unity between PHS and the community,” 2020 Plainfield Teacher of the Year Adam Ferguson, who works with students to coordinate Homecoming events, said.
Saturday, September 21
Quaker Day Parade
Where: Main Street Plainfield
The parade will begin at the Plainfield offices of sponsor Duke Energy (1000 E Main St.) and will continue down Main Street/U.S. 40 to the Al & Jan Barker Athletic Complex at 451 Vestal Road in Plainfield.
When: 10 a.m.
Quaker Day Festival
Where: Plainfield Friends Church
105 S East St, Plainfield
When: 8 a.m- 4 p.m.
Price: Free
Oasis Diner Tenderloin Eating Contest
1 p. m. celebrity contest
1: 30 p.m. public contest
Bicentennial Park directly west of the diner (405 W. Main St) parking lot