Richmond to kick off fall with Good Old Days Festival

Dec 18, 2023

Richmond’s Good Old Days Festival will feature as many varieties of entertainment as fall trees have color tints, but festival vehicle shows in particular are revving up for motor enthusiasts from snowmobilers to classic car drivers.

The 2023 Good Old Days Festival will take place Sept. 7 to 10 in Richmond. One of the more unusual vehicle shows that will span several days of the festival is the antique and vintage snowmobile show in Bailey Park. Richmond Mayor Tim Rix, a co-chair of the festival, said including a show for these winter sport vehicles in a fall festival has to do with Richmond business roots associated with an international snowmobile distributor.

Rix said the distributor used to have some international drag races on the festival grounds. As the festival grew to include motorsports, snowmobile races and jumps could no longer be held. But to include some of Richmond’s snowmobile history in keeping with the Good Old Days theme, the antique and vintage snowmobile show was developed.

Matt Rix, a co-chair of the festival, said about 30 snowmobiles are anticipated to be displayed this year.

“We have got some beautiful sleds on display through the weekend in Bailey Park, across from Beebe Park,” Tim Rix said.

Information on how to enter a snowmobile into the festival’s show, including dates and times, can be found at facebook.com/richmondgoodolddaysfestival. There is no cost to enter the show. Overnight security will be provided.

Classic car enthusiasts will have two different opportunities to show off their rides during the Good Old Days Festival. On Sept. 7, the classic car parade and cruise will begin at 6 p.m. Matt Rix said there is no cost to enter the cruise, and a limited number of dash plaques will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Just show up at the fire station at the north end of town,” Tim Rix said.

Classic car cruisers can choose to participate in the car parade using a shorter route or a longer route. The shorter route will be on Main Street in Richmond from the north to the south end, with vehicles turning and coming back. Tim Rix described the longer route as involving other local towns.

“Sometimes some take off to go to Memphis, turn in Memphis and go west, coming through Armada and back to Richmond,” Tim Rix said.

Matt Rix said about 198 vehicles participated in the cruise last year.

A classic and antique car show will take place on Sept. 10. Matt Rix said that the show will be in a city parking lot near Maniaci’s Banquet Center starting at 9 a.m. Cars must be 25 years or older only to participate.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 10 at a cost of $20. Forms indicate the awards and raffle presentation will take place at 12:30 p.m. Awards will be offered for Crowd Favorite, Queen’s Choice and Mayor’s Pick. Dash plaques will also be available. Forms to enter the classic car show can be found at richmondgoodolddaysfestival.com.

The Good Old Days Festival will also feature a Power Wheels Race for kids ages 3 to 10 at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8. The Bump and Run Autocross is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 7. The Sept. 9 Power Wheels Derby will be held at 2:30 p.m. Autocross tickets cost $10 for adults or $5 for kids ages 4 to 12. Pit passes cost $20.

The Figure 8 Derby will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 8. Tickets cost $10 for adults or $5 for kids ages 4 to 12. On Sept. 9, the USA Demolition Derby State Championship will take place at 3 p.m. The cost to attend the derby is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 12 and pit passes for $20.

Antique tractors will be on display during the Good Old Days Festival starting at 10 a.m. on several dates throughout the festival. The display will be located along Beebe Street. Matt Rix anticipated 30 or more tractors could participate. He said there is no cost or registration necessary to enter an antique tractor in the show.

“We also have a shingle mill, which is another part of old time farming. The shingle mill produces shingles and they brand the shingles with the Good Old Days logo on it,” Tim Rix said.

The 2023 Good Old Days Festival’s full daily schedule can be found online at richmondgoodolddaysfestival.com. Daily highlights include the following.

• 7 p.m.: opening ceremonies on the festival stage, including the Richmond High School Band and the Little Miss Richmond pageant.

• 7:15 p.m.: Running with the Devils 5K Run/1 Mile Walk, benefitting a Richmond High School sport.

• 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Skerbeck Family Carnival’s midway will be open. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25.

• 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Free kids foam slide will be available at Beebe Street Park.

• Outrageous Outhouse Races will begin at 6:30 p.m. on North Main and Monroe streets. Preregistration is required at [email protected].

• 10 a.m.: Drop-in horseshoe singles and doubles tournament, held east of the Richmond Community Center. Onsite registration begins at 9 a.m.

• 11 a.m.: Children’s Main Street Parade.

• Noon to 6 p.m. Richmond Historic Village will be open.

• Noon to 5 p.m.: Detroit Institute of Arts free drop-in art workshop for kids near the Beebe Street park pavilion.

• Noon to 6 p.m. Cub Scouts Pack 84, Pinewood Derby demonstration next to the festival barn.

• Noon to 11 p.m. Skerbeck Family Carnival midway opens. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $25 and are good until 6 p.m.

• 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Children’s sidewalk chalk contest.

• 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Free children’s games at the Beebe Street Park Pavilion.

• 1 p.m.: Fire department waterball contest at Stone Street/ Bailey Park.

• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Free petting zoo at the gazebo in Beebe Street Park.

• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Richmond Rhythm drumline instructional event, at the AUD.

• 2:30 p.m.: Leap of Faith Dance Studio.

• 4 p.m.: Robotics demonstration. Also at 4 p.m. is the dog show and contest.

• 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Free family foam party at Beebe Street Park.

• 8 p.m. Beverage tent entertainment: The Family Tradition Band, guest Top Shelf Country.

• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks show.

• 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Richmond Masonic Lodge Pancake Breakfast, at the Richmond Masonic Temple located at Main Street and Monroe. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 12 and free for those younger than age 5.

• 9:30 a.m.: Community Ecumenical Church Services at Trinity Lutheran Church.

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Historic village is open.

• 12:30 p.m.: Multi-high schools drum line performance at the town clock.

• 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Skerbeck family carnival’s midway is open.

• 1:30 p.m.: Grand Parade. Post-parade entertainment will be held in the beverage tent.

• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Free petting zoo at the gazebo in Beebe Street Park.

• 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Beverage tent entertainment by the Gopher Broke band.

Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.

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