CHESTER — Selection of Ohio’s champion harmonica player, cornhole tournaments, a gospel singing fest, a Chautauqua presentation, Civil War workshops, and an evening ball under a tent on the Chester Commons are just a few of the activities to take place at Saturday’s Chester Shade Day.

Events will kickoff Saturday morning with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by a Civil War workshop for youth in the Courthouse, judging of the pies to select the best from the rest, cornhole tournaments with prizes for the youth and a payback of entry fees for adult winners, judging of pets, and the selection of Meigs County’s finest, the oldest woman and the oldest man attending the celebration.

For those participating in the pie contest, two fruit pies are to be taken to the kitchen/dining area in the Academy basement where judging will take place for prizes of $25 for first, $20 for second, and $15 for third. The pies will then be auctioned off at 4 p.m. in the tent on the Commons with proceeds to go into the maintenance and operation of the Courthouse.

Gospel music will fill the Commons area from before noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday but this year no Sunday services are planned. Other afternoon activities will be a Civil War ladies tea with Jean Hilton "Miz Rosebud" and Peggy Crane in costume hosting the event.

Always a highlight of the day is the harmonica contest where prizes of $200 for first, $100 for second, $50 for third, and $25 for fourth will be awarded. The winner will walk away with the title of the Ohio’s 2011 Harmonica Champion.

After the contest which will be held under a tent on the Commons there will be a harmonica jam session running right up to the time the Chautauqua program begins. And after that the traditional Civil War ball will be held to close out the 2011 Chester Shade Day celebration.