Which small town festivals did you enjoy this summer? With names like Water, Wing Ding & Music on the Shore, Looney Daze, Vikingland Band Festival and Buttered Corn Days, how does one choose? Just last night, our Belgrade August Fest kicked-off with a concert in the park. Locals brought their lawn chairs and blankets, the Boy Scouts sold hot dogs and everyone enjoyed the start of what will be a full five days of community inspired events. https://www.facebook.com/belgradeaugustfest/
As a senior in high school, I had the opportunity to represent the small town where I grew up in the local Ambassador program. Our duties involved riding on a parade float in several (read thirty-five!) small town parades. It was a summer full of marching bands playing their hearts out, kids lined up on both sides of the parade route with faces painted and the smell of mini-donuts and roasted corn on the cob permeating the air. It wasn’t a bad way to spend a summer. We were able to see, hear and taste what made each small town’s annual event unique.
Summer is not over just because we’ve celebrated the 4th of July. While many of us impatiently await the start of, “the Great Minnesota Get Together,” here are a couple of events you might want to catch throughout our territory.
If you’re near Davenport, Iowa this weekend you should definitely catch the 33rd Annual Tugfest where ten teams of twenty will compete at tug of war over the Mississippi River with Port Byron, Illinois. The rope they’re pulling weighs 680 lbs.! https://tugfest.com/
The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Hot Springs, South Dakota will take place at the end of this month on August 24th and 25th with balloon launches happening both days at 6 a.m. Food, music and activities in downtown Hot Springs make it a fun event every year. https://www.fallriverballoonfest.com/
For a little bit of living history with your celebrating, head to York, Nebraska for the 13th Annual Tractor, Engine & Auto Show during Summer Fair at Wessel’s Living History Farm. The festivities conclude with a Barn Dance with the Kramer Sisters! https://livinghistoryfarm.org/event/summer-fair/
Enjoy!
-Holly Bayer, ASID