Skip to main content

Special Events & Festivals

Taking aim


Photo by Scott Trauner.

Kierra Ormsby, of Bluffton, takes aim at a Disk Ball target in the kids' games section at the Markle Park during the Wildcat Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Grouches help judge the parade

The newest Markle Grouches join Markle Town Council President Jeff Humbarger (center) on the judges stand to judge the Wildcat Festival Parade on Saturday morning, Aug. 23. Looking over the entries are (from left) Molly Brown, Jennifer Bailey with help from Emma Bailey, Pastor Steve McPeek and Tracie Wolf.

Several new events to freshen up Markle Wildcat Festival this year

Sidney Palmer gives her frog a nudge during the 2013 Markle Wildcat Festival frog jumping contest. Frog jumping returns to this year’s festival lineup, taking place Saturday, Aug. 23, at Markle Park.
TAB file photo.

The Markle Wildcat Festival will have some new events to make this year's festival fresh, while keeping the events that are the hallmarks of the annual celebration.

The festival, which takes place Aug. 22, 23 and 24, is named for "Princess Wildcat," the moniker given to a local Native American woman, explains festival chairwoman Diane Wedler.

"Now we have a Princess Wildcat contest," she says, adding the festival has been held in Markle for about 40 years. This year's theme is "Back to the '80s."

Princess Wildcat


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Lily Clanin (left) the 2013 Young Miss Wildcat, receives her crown from Lacy Curry, a former Princess Wildcat, during the Princess Wildcat contest Saturday evening, Aug. 24, at Markle Park.

Little Miss Wildcat


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Janell Lemler (left) the 2013 Little Miss Widcat, receives her crown from Lacy Curry, a former Princess Wildcat, during the Princess Wildcat contest on Saturday evening, Aug. 24.

Princess Wildcat


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Abigail Reichard (left) receives her crown after being named 2013 Princess Wildcat from former title holder Lacy Curry during the Princess Wildcat contest on Saturday, evening, Aug. 24.

C'mon, jump!


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Kylie Nevius tries to get her frog to jump far during the Wildcat Festival frog jumping contest at Markle Park on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Waterball


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Teams from the Markle (left) and Uniondale fire departments battle it out during he Markle Wildcat Festival waterball fights on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Markle Park.

Yuck!


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Mark Kohlhorst lets a tarantula crawl on his hand during his Mark's Ark animal show on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Markle Wildcat Festival at the Markle Park.

Markle bounce


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Jason Lenwell (left) and Collins Vosler come down a bouncy slide at the Markle Park during the Markle Wildcat Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24.