Today starts the beginning of Wheat Festival and event organizers say they are ready to get rolling.
    “Everything’s ready to roll,” said Paula Mortimer, assistant for the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce.
    Premier sponsor of the Wheat Festival, GKN Aerospace, held the Wheat Festival Kick-off breakfast at their facility early this morning in an exclusive event for Chamber members and other event sponsors.
    Over 50 people attended the breakfast and toured the facility, while meeting with executives of GKN Aerospace.
    Other events will be held throughout the day including a coffee at the Wellington Public Library, the Jubilee King and Queen Coronation at the Wellington Senior Center.  The Festival will also kick-off its first Agricultural and Energy Lunch, an event planned with State Rep. Vince Wetta to bring the farmers and harvesters of the area together.
    All these morning and afternoon events will lead up to the first big community-wide event of the festival — Picnic in the Park.
    Starting at 6 p.m. in Melody Bowl in Woods Park, attractions such as the fire safety house and sand sculpting will entertain the crowds as they enjoy the Lip Sync contest.
    Winners of the Kiss the Pig Contest, Harvest Prince and Princess, Wheat King, Jr. Miss Wheat Queens, Miss Wheat Capital, the button and t-shirt design, and poster contest will all be announced.
    Attendees will also be able to chow down at the event with the Wellington Chamber Ambassador Club serving hamburger and hot dog meals for $5 and $3 respectively.
    Mortimer says she’s thrilled to start the 108th annual Wheat Festival and that so far, the Chamber has gotten terrific community support for the event.
    She said most events are full of participants ready and willing to kick off the festivities. The baby contest and the art show have gotten terrific response, Mortimer stated with over 70 booths already reserved for the art event.
    “It’s just amazing, this year is going so much better than last year,” Mortimer said.
    Though more teams are needed for the bed races, Mortimer said she’s not the least bit disappointed in the response.
    “We’re doing really well,” she said.
    For more information on Wheat Festival events, contact the Chamber office at 326-7466.