CHESTER — Everything from naming the state harmonica champion to dancing at a Civil War ball will be included in the variety of activities at the annual Chester Shade Days to be held Saturday and Sunday.

Activities will begin at 8 a.m. with a breakfast in the Academy basement served by the Mercy Mission Church. The flag raising by the VFW will take place at 10 a.m. and an art display on the second floor of the Academy and at the Courthouse will open for the day at 10 a.m.

Again this year there will be a pie judging contest with prizes of $25 for first, $15 for second, and $10 for third. Participants are to bring their pies, one for the contest and one more for the entry fee to the Academy kitchen before 11 a.m. at which time the judging will begin. The pies will be auctioned off at 4 p.m. to raise money for expenses of the Chester-Shade Historical Society.

Again this year there will be a pet judging contest with prizes and ribbons for those taking part. Makya Millhoan and Pam Schatz are in charge of the activity with any kind of pet being accepted as long as it is controlled on a leash and well-groomed. Participants are to come about 9:45 a.m. to register their pets since Max Bishop of Athens County will begin judging at 10 a.m. Immediately following that there will be kids’ games to included a cornhole with prizes.

Several artisans will be on the Commons on Saturday demonsrating their skills. New to the scene this year will be Emma Huggins, a spinner, of the Rutland community.

There will be plenty of food available on Saturday. The Chester volunteer firemen will be holding a fish fry and serving hotdogs and homemade ice cream at the firehouse. The Racine Band Boosters will also be there serving food along with the Chester-Shade Historical Association which will have chicken and noodles dinners.

Meigs finest, the oldest male and female, attending will be honored at noon at which time an afternoon gospel sing will begin on the Commons.

An adult corn hole contest with a $5 entry fee with all money being paid back in prizes will begin at 1 p.m. Miz Rosebud and Peggy Crane will host a Civil War Ladies tea at 2 p.m.

A highlight of the Chester-Shade Days is the Ohio State Harmonica Contest which will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude with a harmonica jam session. Prizes to the winners will be $200 for first, $100 for second, $50 for third, and $25 for fourth.

The day will conclude with the annual Civil War ball on the Commons with Miz Rosebud in charge.

Sunday’s events will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a church service, followed by time for lunch, then from noon to 4 p.m. a gospel sing and an open art show for visitors.