The ferris wheel could make a return this year. (Submitted photo)

EAST LIVERPOOL — The 54th Annual Tri-State Area Pottery Festival, sponsored by The Kiwanis Club Of East Liverpool, will be held June 27-29.

After taking a hiatus in 2024 per recommendations, it gave the Tri-State Area Pottery Festival Committee time to regroup for the 2025 festival. The Pottery Festival Committee was restructured, with several new members added to the group that have really stepped up to the plate and several returning members who were ready to pull up their sleeves and get to work.

The Tri-State Area Pottery Festival has several returning events such as Door Knob Toss, Baby Contest, Beard & Mustache Contest and Dime Toss Booth, They have also added new events such as a Boat Parade, Duck Drop and Touch A Truck along with bicycle helmet give away by the City Health Department.

Also, new this year is that the Tri-State Area Pottery Festival is having its first ever Community Church Service starting at 10 a.m. conducted by Rev. Jeff and Rev. Lisa Smith from Grace City Church. There is even a new twist to the eating contest — it has gone from a Hamburger Eating Contest that was sponsored by Burger King to a Powder Doughnut Eating Contest sponsored by L & B Donuts & Catering.

Lisko Amusements will be entertaining the Mid-Way this year. They have been entertaining the Mid-Way for the past three years with amusement rides and games for the entire family. There will be 10 or more amusement rides total, such as the Heart Drop, Zipper, Parachute Drop, Swinging Pirate Ship and possibly making a return is the Ferris Wheel. Ticket prices Friday and Saturday ride all day wrist bands for $25 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday ride all day wrist bands for $20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individual tickets can be purchased as well.

This year’s 2025 Queen and Court are Queen Cammie Moore, Duchess Emily Hernandez, and Junior Queen Emily Puhac.

Sound Vibes will be providing sound and entertainment this year. Entertaining the Main Stage will be on Friday, June 27, Bill Crawford from 3 to 4:30 p.m.; Opening Ceremonies 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; DJ Overkill from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Quaseye Band from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m. to noon is Darren Miller; 12:30 to 2 p.m. Eat Off Contest; 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mad River Men; 6 to 8 p.m. East Ohio Arm Wrestling Contest; and 8 to 11 p.m. Empty Bottles Band. Sunday, June 29 10 a.m. to noon Community Church Service; noon to 2 p.m.; and 2 to 5 p.m. Full Circle Band.

Special Hours

Thompson House Tours of the Historic 1876 Thompson House of East Liverpool will be held on Saturday, June 28 from 2 to 6 p.m. only.

Museum Of Ceramics hours are Friday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Friday, June 27 “Try Your Hand At The Potters Wheel” is from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 is a lecture by Donna and Bill Gray “Aesthetic Pottery Of East Liverpool” at 2 p.m.

Upper Ohio Valley Lou Holtz Hall Of Fame will be open during the Pottery Festival June 27-29 with extended hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Upper Ohio Valley Lou Holtz Hall of Fame is hosting an Amazing Race for teams of one to four persons. Race will start on Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m. Register at the Upper Ohio Valley Lou Holtz Hall Of Frame at 120 E. 5th St. today until Thursday, June 26. Packets can be picked up on Friday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m. which is the starting point of the race. For information call Shelly at the Upper Ohio Valley Lou Holtz Hall of Fame at 330-386-5443.

Daily Events and Contest

Friday, June 27

Stuffed Animal Contest 11 a.m. Carnegie Public Library (Children’s Library)

Hula Hoop Contest Kent State Amphitheater 2 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies Main Stage 5-5:30 p.m.

Door Knob Contest Museum Of Ceramics Parking Lot 5:30 p.m. Women’s Tournament & 6 p.m. Mixed Doubles

Beard & Mustache at 7:00 p.m. Museum Of Ceramics Steps

Saturday, June 28

Doughnut Eating Contest Main State 12:30 -2 p.m.

Tattoo Contest 2:30 p.m. Kent State Amphitheater

Car & Bike Show noon, setup and show 1-4 p.m. New Castle Parking Lot

Door Knob Contest Museum Of Ceramics Parking Lot 4 p.m. National Doubles & Children

Pet Show 4:30 p.m. Registration and Show 5-6 p.m. Kent State Ampitheater

Sunday, June 29

Baking Contest 12:30 p.m.

Chalk Art Contest Front Of Kent State Building 2:30 p.m.

Baby Contest 11 a.m.-noon Registration & Show 1-2 p.m. Kent State Ampitherer

Door Knob Contest Museum Of Ceramics Parking Lot 1 p.m. Novice and 2 p.m. National Singles Tour

Touch A Truck & Bicycle Helmet Give Away 1-4 p.m. New Castle School Of Trade Parking Lot

Corn Holes Contest 3 p.m. Museum Of Ceramics Parking Lot

5 Duck Drop Race 5:30-6 p.m.

Boat Parade 6-8 p.m.