COVID may have put the kibosh on Eagle Grove’s annual celebration last year, but Sarah Middleton and the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce board is ready to bring back Summerfest 2021 bigger and better than ever. All they need is for you to come out and be a part of it.
“There are several new and exciting activities to enjoy this year at Summerfest,” said Chamber Director Middleton.
One of the most unique things to do will take place Friday night at Greenwood Park and can be done by individuals, groups, or families. Yarn Bombing is the perfect way to kick-off the weekend with some creativity, some color, and some craziness. Never heard of Yarn Bombing? Here’s how it works. Head out to Greenwood Park on Friday, June 18 between 3 – 6 p.m. Bring with you any kind of yarn, fabric, homemade decorations, or other ornaments to decorate the branches and base of the tree. Anything goes, AS LONG AS IT DOESN’T DAMAGE THE TREE in any way. You can use the yarn to wrap the trunk, knit or crochet decorations, create tassels…use your imagination. But remember, absolutely no hammering, cutting, or trimming the tree. If you don’t have your own supplies to decorate the tree, Middleton said there will be a limited number of supplies on hand for you to use, first come, first served. Be sure to label your tree or take a photo with it and submit it to the Chamber office so they know who decorated what trees.
“The idea is to make Greenwood Park extra cool looking for Summerfest,” said Middleton.
Patrons of Summerfest will then be encouraged to cast their vote for their favorite Yarn Bombed tree Monday morning on the Chamber’s Facebook page. First place will be awarded $100 in Chamber Bucks. Second place will receive $75 in Chamber Bucks, and third place $50 in Chamber Bucks.
Adding to that beauty will be chalk art that the public is also invited to do at the park on Friday night during the same hours. You don’t have to be a great artist to participate in this event, just looking to have some fun. Draw a picture, write a cheery message…whatever you feel inspired to do. You can bring your own chalk or use the chalk and chalk paint the Chamber has available – again, first come, first served.
Friday evening activities will come to a close with the always loved Movie in the Park. First Bank will be showing “Tom and Jerry” in the show arena beginning at 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a blanket, and be ready to enjoy a provided snack courtesy of the Bank.
There will be a variety of fun things happening on Saturday, June 19 as well. Get your body energized for the day by starting off with a hearty pancake breakfast from 8 – 10:30 a.m. benefitting the Eagle Grove EMT service. It will be located near the free stage where there will also be local performers entertaining during this time.
NEW ON SATURDAY – you can try your hand at Geocache. It’s an activity that has grown wildly in popularity over the last few years, especially last year during COVID. This allows you to see how good you are at sleuthing. Use the app to navigate to a nearby container called geocache which is filled with small items. Once you find the geocache, sign and date the logbook. Place the geocache back where you discovered it. Google Geocache for more details.
This year at Summerfest in Greenwood Park you will also be able to learn how to play disc golf. Did you even know Greenwood Park had a course? They do, and it’s wonderful. It’s like golf, only with frisbees instead of balls. Eagle Grove resident Lori Olson and her family play the game often and have traveled to many cities to try their courses. They will be on-hand to show you how it works and teach you the rules of the game. Demonstrations begin at 9 a.m. There will be discs available for your use as you learn to play. Some you will even be able to keep – while supplies last.
Also new and exciting, and beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at Greenwood Park will be rock painting and scratch art. It’s fun for the kids AND adults.
Beginning at 10 a.m. – and back by popular demand, is the Kid’s Bike Parade. While you’re watching the Bike Parade, why not enjoy a rootbeer float brought to you by the Eagle Grove Lion’s Club.
At 11 a.m. you’ll want to be sure and try out another new event – An outdoor exercise class with Lisa Russell. This will take place on the James E. Johnson stage. A free-will offering will be accepted with proceeds going to the new addition on the Wellness Center in Eagle Grove. This class is open to all fitness levels and all ages. It’s not meant to be a hard workout, just a fun time promoting the new facility that is coming soon and classes that will be under the direction of Russell.
Also at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. is squirt gun races. I mean, really, who doesn’t love a good squirt gun race?!
Still want more to do on Saturday morning/early afternoon? You can enjoy Kona Ice, Giant Jenga and other games from Gateway Hospice, a walk through the Eagle Grove Museum on West Broadway, a hamburger feed at the fire department, bag tournaments, swimming….there’s a lot going on in Eagle Grove.
Perhaps the biggest anticipation for the adults during Summerfest will take place Saturday evening. The Pork Tornadoes will be in town at the James Earl Johnson free stage at the fairgrounds.
“We’re very excited to have them,” said Middleton. “They are wildly popular.”
The group was scheduled to perform last year, but when COVID made the event impossible to hold, Middleton made sure to immediately get them on the books for this year. Gates open at 6 p.m. Jesse Wilson Music will be the opening act, with the Pork Tornadoes scheduled to begin around 8 p.m. Advance tickets are encouraged as the number available is limited. Tickets are available online through the Eagle Grove Chamber or at the Chamber office at 212 W. Broadway.
Middleton is also excited to announce that there will be a free shuttle from the Unity Point Clinic to the fairgrounds for the concert from 6 p.m. – midnight.
“We really hope that everybody comes out to enjoy all the events,” said Middleton.
Watch next week’s Eagle for a complete list of Summerfest weekend events, or look for fliers around town.
