PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
HUSBAND AND WIFE SERVING UP FREE BEANS … Serving up a cup of free beans in downtown Montpelier as part of the Montpelier Bean Days were, from left: Terry Rupp, owner of Rupp’s Lawn Service, and Teresa Rupp, owner of Hair Fashions.
CRUMBL COOKIES FUNDRAISER … Montpelier High School cheerleaders pose for a picture selling cookies as part of a fundraiser. A portion of the sales goes toward travel expenses, fees, equipment and team meals for the squad.
YOUTH DIVISION WINNERS … Taking top honors in the youth division of the Montpelier Bean Days parade was the Montpelier High School Band, who performed in front of the judges’ stand on Saturday, July 18.
CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF AMERICA … Montpelier First United Methodist Church celebrated 250 years of the American Spirit on its float in the Bean Days Parade.
2025 PRIDE OF MONTPELIER PAGEANT QUEENS … Taking part in the Bean Days Parade were the outgoing 2025 Pride of Montpelier Queens, including Carissa Harter (Little Miss), Aria Armstrong (Junior Miss), Sophia Hildebrandt (Teen Miss) and Caddisy Chamberlain (Miss Pride of Montpelier).
INFLATABLE GAMES … These two girls took part in the Rah Record-A-Hit inflatable game at Founders Park during the Montpelier Bean Days.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Bean Days has brought out the best in community spirit and plenty of fun during its three-day run from Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19.
Since the annual community-wide event began in 1956, the main attraction has been beans drawing visitors to a variety of bean tastings taking place throughout downtown.
There were plenty of things to do including live musical entertainment, the Montpelier Area Chamber of Commerce Cruise-In Car Show, inflatables for kids and a photo booth for everyone.
A “Taste of 1776” also took place on Friday featuring treats that could have been eaten in 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
On Friday, people were able to sample homemade beans involving many community merchants and organizations who participated.
They also had the opportunity to vote for People’s Choice Best Beans, with the bean judging being done by the Montpelier veterans at Strong Real Estate.
Participating businesses and organizations taking part in this year’s People’s Choice Best Beans contest were Montpelier Parks & Recreation, Hair Fashions, Rupp’s Lawn Service, Strong Real Estate, WesBanco, F&M Bank, Montpelier Post Office, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Women of the Moose, Platinum Mowing, Evergreen Healthcare Center, Wispy Willow Farm, Village Spa & Salon, Rings Pharmacy, See & Do Club, Andres, O’Neil & Lowe Insurance Agency, LifeWise Academy, Montpelier Public Library, Quality Printing & Design LLC, Thompson Funeral Home, Montpelier Eagles, Montpelier Police Department, Kommon Kravings and Mobile Auto Werks LLC.
Platinum Mowing claimed the title of the People’s Choice Best Beans competition with Village Spa & Salon finishing as runner-up. Unfortunately, the paper ballots were soaked by a heavy deluge.
Saturday’s activities included a Montpelier Rotary Club breakfast held at the Montpelier Fire Department for a freewill donation, and a co-ed slow pitch softball tournament that benefited the Montpelier Cross Country Program.
Two of Saturday’s scheduled Bean Day events, the Iron Horse River Trail Walk and Scavenger Hunt and the Washington’s Secret Agents, which were scheduled to be held at Founders Park, were postponed due to heavy rains. Both events have been rescheduled for Saturday, August 1.
As part of the village’s America 250 Ohio Homecoming and Picnic celebration, an ice cream social was held at Founders Park serving up free ice cream for 250 people. It was followed by a community picture being taken and placed in the 2026 time capsule.
Following the community picture, a ceremony took place as the 1976 Time Capsule was opened at Town Hall. Items from the time capsule will be removed and available for public viewing at the Montpelier Public Library on Friday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The 2026 Time Capsule will be installed on Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. at Town Hall. This year’s Bean Days Parade was held on Saturday with the theme of “250 Years of the American Spirit.”
Grand marshal for this year’s parade was Martin Sprocket & Gear, one of the oldest Montpelier industries, founded in 1951.
There were 73 units participating in this year’s parade. Taking top honors were the Montpelier High School Band (Youth Division), Parkview Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary (Commercial Division) and Montpelier Public Library (Non-Commercial Division).
Serving as judges for this year’s parade were Taryn Rae, Jess Youse and Caleb Haines. The three-day event concluded with a worship service held on Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
