Minstrel Shows or Minstrelsy were performed around the 19th century as American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in black face and after the American Civil War, blacks in black face. Traveling minstrel companies came to towns to perform on stage bards, bringing along their own musical apparatus, themes, and costumes.

These traveling troubadours would seek townsfolk to partake with them to split the profit of the evening's performance. About sixty years ago, these types of shows were held usually in the spring of Adena, Cadiz, and Dillonvale. In those days these satires were what is also commonly known as variety shows lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Minstrel shows appealed to the Adena Lions Club so they started planning, performing, singing, and starring, in their very own Minstrel Shows. Profits obtained from their productions fund community and projects of Lion's International.

John Parkinson mastered the ceremonies as he has for about 30 years. John has an exceptional deep voice and is an affluent talent and loyal dignitary of the Lions Club Organization. He followed his fellow Lions Frank Hargrave, Bill Walker, Toni Biorski, and others who also hosted as Minstrel MC's.

Alike their former minstrel shows the Adena Lion's Club shows will have two one-hour acts and include a fifteen-minute intermission where refreshments will be available for sale. With 35 performers of the Club's chorus, the Buckeye Local Honors Choir and Jazz Band will also be joining the Lion's Club to chime out chords of country song.

The cowboy corral of "End Men" this year will be Randy Bednarski, Drew Case, Rich Steffl, Roger Warren, Darrin Young, and Mike Zonkoski. Other ranchers rounding up their performances will be; Jennifer Boston, Mary Carter, Julie Erwin, Kelsey Fithen, Jessica Harr, Danessa Kinsey, Dennis Kinsey, Ed Kovacik, Kathy Oxley, Marty Packer, Margaret Warren, Darek Wilson, Amanda Borkoski, and Ed Kovacik. A few of the Country canticles on the curriculum are: Boot Scootin Boogie, Because of You, One More Day, Elvira, Daddy Sang Bass, Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On, Rawhide, Before He Cheats, and God Bless the USA.