The Herald-News - News Story

With a masquerade theme for this year's Strawberry Festival, members of the event's planning committee have put their heads together to come up with some fitting entertainment.

Taking a break from the festival's customary rodeos that have been held for the last four years, the evenings of May 7-8 will showcase "A Tribute to Houdini," starring Guinness Book of World Records champion and master magician Mario Manzini.

The two-hour show, which will feature Houdini-style escapes, stage magic, disappearing acts, illusions and much more, will take place in Rhea Central Elementary's gymnasium, according to the 2010 festival's Official Coordinator Randy Wells.

"He's a pretty interesting guy," Wells said of Manzini, who is especially famous for his escape acts. "When's the last time someone came to Dayton and escaped from a straight jacket?"

The same basic show will go on both nights, and Wells said the intent is to provide an event where children under 12 can attend for free with a paying adult.

For those upset about the rodeo's disappearing act, Wells said that event doesn't have to be gone for good.

"Everybody enjoyed the rodeos, but we wanted to try something different for a few years," said Wells, adding that there's no reason the future won't include more rodeos. "We may go back."

Wells said the planning committee had originally talked of replacing the rodeo with a circus, but members soon realized that hiring an accomplished magician might be more feasible for this year's budget.

"It became evident that the kind of circus we wanted to bring to town was going to be way too expensive," Wells said. "If we were bringing in lions and tigers and elephants, it would've been in the thousands."

The committee settled on Mario Manzini after considering numerous magicians and is excited to add a touch of enchantment to this year's Strawberry Festival.

"We're looking forward to it," Wells said.

The annual Strawberry pageant will kick off the festival on May 1, one week before the magic act comes into town. The following Tuesday, the carnival will set up downtown and run from May 11-15. May 12 festivities will include Strawberry Shortcake night, local children's choirs and a pie and cake contest. Family fun night will be held on May 13, followed by a block party on May 14. Vendors' booths will be set up on May 14-15. Festival-goers will be able to enjoy food and booth merchandise while listening to local musicians during the parade on May 15.
The 2010 Strawberry Festival will wrap up on May 22 with the annual Junior Miss program.

Elisabeth Hollingsworth can be reached at elisabeth.hollingsworth@rheaheraldnews.com.