File photo by Erin Sanchez Shreyas Ramesh, 7, of Troy, performs Indian classical dance during Troy Daze last year.

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

TROY — The things to do during the Troy Daze Festival, now in its 40th year, have changed from the tractor-pulls, pie-eating, tug-of-war and Hula-hoop contests.

Or have they?

“We’re bringing some of those activities,” said Community Affairs Director Cindy Stewart. The Old Time Festival, being held at 3 p.m. Sept. 13, will feature a pie-eating contest, tug-of-war and a three-legged race.

She noted that while the festival has changed over 40 years and evolved to embrace the city’s diverse ethnicities, serve a wide variety of food and offer carnival rides, the focus of the festival always was and remains on families.

“It’s a wonderful four-day family festival and chance to celebrate our community with food, entertainment and games,” said Stewart. She noted that more than 300 high school students volunteered to help with last year’s event.

The 2008 entertainment lineup features the Tip Jar Band, the Tom Butwin Band, Natalie Myziuk, Elvis by Ryan Donnellon, Four Wheel Drive, Laith al-Saadi, and Valerie Barrymore and the Foundation of Funk.

The festival is a mere two months away, and the hundreds of volunteers who make it happen are soliciting nominations for grand marshal, photography and poster contests, and the Miss Troy, Junior Miss Troy and Mr. Troy contests.

The popular Miss Troy and Junior Miss Troy pageants will be held jointly at Troy High School Aug. 16. Miss Troy will receive a $500 scholarship, and Junior Miss Troy winners will receive gift certificates. Entrants must live, work or attend school in Troy. Miss Troy entrants must be 18-25, never married and without children. Contestants for Miss Troy Teen must be 14-17, Young Miss Troy ages 11-13, Pre-teen Miss Troy ages 8-10 and Little Miss Troy ages 5-7.

Competitions include interviews, casual wear and eveningwear.

“This is a wonderful traditional pageant for the young ladies and women of Troy,” said Miss Troy Executive Director Danielle Cover.

Mr. Troy is open to males over age 17. The winner will receive a $500 prize. Details will be announced.

Pageant applications are available at www.troymi.gov and must be submitted before July 22. The cost for general registration, held through July 11, is $50, and late registration, held July 12-22, is $100. There’s a mandatory meeting 6:30 p.m. July 22 at the Troy Community Center.

Amateur photographers may submit their best photos by Sept. 5. There is no fee to enter the contest, and one need not be a Troy resident to enter. Photography contest chairman Tom Duszynski said the contest is a wonderful opportunity for photo enthusiasts of all ages. Entries are judged in youth — ages 17 and younger — and adult — 18 and older. Minor digital enhancement is permitted, but images must not be significantly modified. Entries must be matted and cannot exceed 16 inches by 20 inches, including matting. The size of the photo must be at least 8 inches by 10 inches, and 11-inch-by-14-inch photos are preferred. Glass and frames are not permitted.

The theme for the 2008 EthniCity Student Poster Contest is “Embracing Diversity Through the Golden Rule.” Students do not need to be Troy residents to enter. Original artwork may be created in paint, pencil, crayon, pen-and-ink, marker, computer-generated design or photos. Entries should be no larger than 22 inches by 28 inches, and must be submitted by Sept. 8.

Troy Daze planners are seeking marchers and floats for the parade, which will be held at 10 a.m. Sept.13.

School, dance, musical, karate, church and community organizations are encouraged to apply. A grand marshal also is needed.

“We had a terrific set of nominations last year,” said Parade Chair Diane McKay. She urged those who nominated someone last year to send the nomination again for the panel to consider for this year.

Nominations for grand marshal should have  a letter of recommendation of 100 words or less.  Contact McKay for parade information at (248) 515-4227. Troy Daze will be held at Boulan Park, west of Crooks and north of Big Beaver, Sept. 11-14.

For information and applications for Troy Daze contests and activities, visit Web www.troymi.gov/troydaze.

You can reach Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1054.