2nd ACT in Medina

For the first time, the 2nd ACT Community Theater Group in Jamestown is taking the show on the road.

The group will leave the confines of the Arts Center to present “Faith County” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 as the opening event for the Medina Fall Festival.

The Medina Fall Festival is a long-standing harvest tradition that has taken place for decades.

Director Lori Dorr called the two-act play “a Southern-fried comedy,” that takes place at the local fair.

“We have two best frenemies (best friends that are also best enemies), we also have the over-flirtatious, last single gal in town and her unreturned love interest, a pastor whose ordination came from Popular Mechanics and many others,” Dorr said.

She called the show a romantic comedy that really turns into a gut buster in the second act.

“They’re all from a small town where everyone knows everyone, and everyone’s business. Although simple minded, everyone has their own opinion,” Dorr said.

“Faith County” has many 2nd ACT veterans and some new faces.

People may recognize Sharon Exner, Bill Nybo, Reggie vanBeekom and Shelly Andersen, but making her first on-stage appearance is Brenda Fischer. Behind the scenes, Sandi Hall is also taking on a large role in the production of the play.

“We tried to choose a play we could do with a minimal set so we could move it, and something with a big story with a good comedy line,” Dorr said.

To get the invitation to bring the group out of Jamestown was an honor for Dorr.

“The reason we choose to do this play was because Medina had chosen 2nd ACT to perform for their Medina Fall Festival on the ninth of September at 7:30 p.m.,” she said.

The play will be at Medina City Hall, admission is the purchase of a $5 fall festival button, which is on sale at Medina businesses. Children under 12 are free.

“I think it’s a huge compliment that people from Medina recognize the 2nd ACT from Jamestown,” Dorr said. “They cancelled what they usually have to bring us in.”

“Faith County” is just the start of Medina Fall Days. The event gets into full swing on Saturday.

Rolls, pie and coffee, plus a silent auction and bake sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Legion Hall.

Exhibits will also run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Legion Hall. Everything from grain sheaves, to embroidery, to mammoth fruits and vegetables will be on display. Winners will bring home a blue, red or white ribbon for their work.

While numbers have been down over the years, Donna Dikoff, fall festival committee member, said the local 4-H Club will have some interesting exhibits because it missed the state fair this year in Minot.

A parade will serve as a morning break at 10:30 a.m. lineup is at 9:30 at the school.

There is still time for registration. Forms are available from Kay Heinle or Pat Everding.

Following the parade will be a pedal pull for youngsters ages 3-12 with participation prizes.

After the kiddies pedal pull, the Messy Bessy contest starts. A cow is kept in a pen and on the ground there are squares people can buy. If the cow eventually “messes” their square they win a cash prize.

Saturday’s lunch will be a noon beef feed at City Hall. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for ages 6-12 and free for those 5 and under. Dikoff said the beef is donated by area farmers and will be barbecue on the grill with all the fixings.

The Medina Heritage Center will also be open that Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The late Marvin Martel, a former Medina resident, spent years hand-carving miniature agricultural models and they are all on display at the heritage center.

A tractor/truck pull will follow lunch at 1 p.m. south of the school. Admission is $10 for adults, or $5 with a button. Those under 12 are free. Concessions will be sponsored by Medina Baseball Club and Booster Club.

Dikoff said this is a big event and even draws contestants from Canada. To sign up for the pull contact Justin at 701-391-0611 or Adam at 701-223-9602.

Bingo will also come to Medina at 7:30 p.m. at the Legion Hall. This is the only bingo event of the year and Dikoff said it serves as a fun time for people not interested in the truck/tractor pull or the next event.

A street dance with Billy Dee & the Crystals outside the Decoy Bar will begin about when the tractor pull finishes up.

Sunday picks up with an ecumenical worship service at 10:30 a.m. at the school. The Medina French Club will then have knephla and vegetable soup and sandwiches for a freewill offering.

The Medina Fall Festival closes with a heritage center ice cream social from 1 to 3 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend, Dikoff said.

“It’s just a day to come and visit with people you haven’t seen in a while,” she said.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455

or by e-mail at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: in the area, diversions, medina