After a missing hiatus thanks to COVID, Eagle Grove Summerfest returned with a vengeance for the 2021 celebration. Due to downtown road construction, this year’s events were moved to Greenwood Park, which proved to be a popular change as many found refuge from the sun under the big shade trees.
Eagle Grove and surrounding area community members trickled in and out of the park as they came to enjoy the EMS pancake breakfast. It was breakfast and a show as many of them sat at the picnic tables or in lawn chairs to watch over two hours worth of local performers who shared their varying talents on the James R. Johnson free stage. There was singing, dancing, some electric guitar, and even a little ukulele playing.
While parents sat and enjoyed the entertainment, their kids played a variety of games that surrounded the free stage. One of the most popular seemed to be the water wars. However, there was a continual line all morning at the balloon art table where Elise Olson was twisting and turning countless turtles, flowers, swords, and monkeys. She was grateful to have an assistant, Kendra Schild blowing up all of the needed balloons with a hand pump.
While the community was enjoying all Summerfest had to offer on Saturday, June 19, they also took notice of the sidewalk chalk art as well as something new…yarn-bombed trees. This was a cool idea presented by Eagle Grove Chamber Director Sara Middleton. She encouraged people to come out either Friday night, or during Summerfest on Saturday, to use material, yard, ribbon….whatever they wanted, to decorate the bark of trees surrounding the activities. They could do anything their imaginations could dream up, as long as it didn’t hurt the tree. They were so cool, and enjoyed by everyone. Some featured the traditional colors of purple and yellow for Eagle Grove, while others had yard ornaments or crystals hanging from the branches. They were beautiful! Be sure to look for the picture of what the mother/daughter team of Jen and Mila Schild created.
Saturday night brought a large crowd of 18 and older to the fairgrounds where The Pork Tornadoes performed on the James R. Johnson stage. It was the perfect setting for a perfect evening. Temperatures dropped, the neon lights went on, and the music had people singing along and talking with friends and family who gathered to celebrate together.
Hats off to Middleton and her committee who made this a fun local event for people of all ages to enjoy.
