Class acts

Polka stars, acrobatic stunts and more at Great American Weekend Goshen — Goshen’s Great American Weekend is star-studded this year, with acts by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra and The Skyriders’ team of acrobats, and, of course, the standardbred races that inspired the festival in the first place. The grand finale, to be held at Goshen’s Historic Track at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, will include performances by Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra and the gravity-defying Skyriders. A laser light show will cap off the night. The Sunday finale is made possible in part by support from Crystal Run Healthcare. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the show. Children age 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. Harness racing returns to the Historic Track from Friday, June 30, through Tuesday, July 4. Complete details on schedules and locations for all Great American Weekend events are available at merchants throughout the village and also will be available at the information booth during the festival. Returning this year is the popular Great American Weekend Rock Climbing Wall, which has been provided by support from Crystal Run Healthcare. This 25-foot climbing wall features four climbing surfaces, each with varying degrees of difficulty. Also returning this year will be the bed races, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday at Park Place, right behind the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen. Teams of five (four runners and one rider) are now being formed. Applications are available at Liz’s Place on Green Street in Goshen, and at village hall, town hall, the Goshen Library, Murray’s Auto Body, and Furniture Options on Route 17M in Goshen. The race is made possible by support from Furniture Options and Serta Mattress. For more information on how to enter a team, call the chamber of commerce at 294-7741. Other highlights of the festival include vendors selling antiques, crafts, and food; children’s rides; a 10K race; entertainment; and walking tours of historic monuments. The festival, now in its 25th year, will be held in village square all day on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2. The Goshen Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event.