NEWCOMERTOWN – The annual village tribute to baseball’s winningest pitcher, Cy Young, will bring people to town June 24, 25 and 26, with food, music, a parade and royalties, including the baseball royalty in the person of Cy Young Award winner John Denny.

Denny, winner of the National League’s 1983 Cy Young Award, is the guest of honor and grand marshal of the annual parade.

Denny made his major league debut in September 1974 for the St. Louis Cardinals and had a stellar season in 1976, leading the league in ERA at 2.52. He also pitched well in 1978, going 14-11 and having a 2.96 ERA. Denny was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Bobby Bonds on December 7, 1979 and went 24-23 in three seasons. He threw three consecutive shutouts at the end of 1981. Before the following season, he was traded to the Phillies.

In 1983, Denny had his best season ever, going 19-6 and having a 2.37 ERA. He led the league in wins and finished second in the ERA, leading the Phillies to the NL championship. He received 20 of 24 votes in the Cy Young Award voting. Later in his career, he was traded to Cincinnati and retired from baseball in 1986. His last job in baseball was as a rehab coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization from 2001 to 2004.

The Newcomerstown Historical Society will feature Chris Hart in the historical presentation “He Throws Like a Cyclone” as part of the Cy Young Festival in Newcomerstown. The event is scheduled for June 24 at the Olde Main Street Museum, 213 W. Canal St.

Hart offers a first-person portrayal as “Baseball’s Cyclone – The Winningest Pitcher Ever”.

Tickets are $20 and include a meal of hot dog, beans, popcorn, apple pie, and a drink. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are limited; call 740-498-7735.

The Cy Young Festival program is as follows:

Friday

5 p.m. — Tents and concessions open; the opening ceremonies on the Canal Street stage; corn hole tournament registration begins.

5:30 p.m. — Presentation of the Queen and her court on the Canal Street stage.

6:00 p.m. — Start of the Cornhole Tournament on Main Street.

8 p.m. – Family Traditions (also known as Dotson Brothers) on the Canal Street stage.

Saturday

7:30 a.m. — Registration begins for the Cy Young Run at Newcomerstown High School track Pride Shop.

8:00 a.m. — Cy Young Run begins at Newcomerstown High School; John Denny will visit Cy Young’s grave at Peoli Cemetery.

11:30 a.m. — Doors open for lunch at the Labor Union Local Room 134 at the corner of River and Main streets.

Noon — Concessions open downtown.

12:30 p.m. — Lunch served at Union Hall; bat auction held during the event.

Noon-2 p.m. — Domenic Greco Band will perform on Main Street.

4:30 p.m. — The parade queue begins at Newcomerstown High School.

6:00 p.m. — Start of the parade.

6:45 p.m. — Presentation of the visiting queens on the Canal Street stage.

7:00 p.m. — Autograph signings by John Denny at the Olde Main Street Museum.

8 p.m. — Adam Calvert Band on the Canal Street stage with an energetic country/rock show.

Sunday

10 a.m. – Ron Porcher Vintage Baseball Tournament at Cy Young Park.

Noon — Concessions open downtown.

1:00 p.m. — Registration for the car show begins on Main Street; Talent Show begins on the Canal Street stage.

3 p.m. — End of registration for the Auto Show; Pet Show begins on the Canal Street Stage.

5:00 p.m. — Auto Show Awards Ceremony; The festival ends.