This weekend marks the 22nd annual Moscow Covered Bridge Festival, commemorating one of five Rush County “jewels,” or bridges as they’re known by those who don’t throw festivals in their honor.

Friday at noon vendors will be open for business. A large flea market area, Amish baked goods, arts and crafts vendors and antiques and collectibles will be available for bargain and treasure hunters alike.

From 6 to 8 p.m., the Rush County Big Band, featuring big band music of the 1940s, will play on the festival stage.

From 8 to 10 p.m., Donna Frost, a Nashville recording artist, will perform a tribute to Skeeter Davis. Frost traveled the world with Skeeter, a country/pop legend and 45-year Grand Ole Opry member whose recording of “The End of the World” topped both country and pop charts worldwide.

A Civil War encampment by the First Wisconsin Light Artillery and other units, as well as a National Guard Hummer display and bridge history displays will also be on-hand.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, a hiking tour led by the Indianapolis Hiking Club will meet at the Moscow Covered Bridge and hike to the Forsythe Covered Bridge and back.

At 10:30 a.m., a parade will commence through the village of Moscow. Grand Marshall is Marsh Davis, president of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indianapolis.

At 1 p.m., a bridge history tour will take place, followed by entertainment on the festival stage from the Family Reunion String Band from 1 to 3 p.m.

From 3 to 4 p.m. on the festival stage, a search and rescue dog demonstration will take place, followed by entertainment from Charmayne’s Dancers from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Steve Mohler will host an auction from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by entertainment from the Top Hot Blues Revue from 8 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, an open church service will take place on the festival stage from 9 to 10 a.m. hosted by the Big Flatrock Christian Church and the Moscow Christian Church, with music provided by the Outreach Praise Band from 10 to 11 a.m. Another bridge history tour will take place at 1 p.m., with entertainment in between on the festival stage from noon to 4 p.m. First-up is Little Jimmie Sizemore of “Asher Sizemore and Little Jimmie,” who were Grand Ole Opry stars from 1933-1943 and stars of their own syndicated radio show. The Flatrock Bluegrass Band and the Here and Gone Bluegrass Band will follow.

The festival offers free admission, free parking and free entertainment. For more information, visit the Moscow Festival Web site at www.moscowfestivalin.org.

Elizabeth Gist can be contacted at elizabeth.gist@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-3111 ext. 109. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com.