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31st annual Summerfest features sun, sport and smiles
Published 12:00pm Monday, June 9, 2008Over 5,000 people are expected to return to Fergus Falls this weekend to honor a 31-year tradition of celebrating summer.
The city’s annual Summerfest celebration will be held June 14-15 downtown on Washington Avenue and Court Street. The event is open and free to the public.
Nearly 40 area businesses are sponsoring Summerfest activities, including JK Sports, Lakes Radio and Great Plains Natural Gas Company, and the entire celebration is organized by a volunteer committee co-chaired by Dustin Morris and Jane Gundersen.
According to Gundersen, this year’s event promises to hold even more excitement than past Summerfests.
“There are countless opportunities for kids and adults, and it’s fun to be there to see the smiles on people’s faces and hear the laughter,” said Gundersen. “It is a great opportunity to be out with the public and in the community.”
Pre-celebration kickoff events begin Thursday June 12 with a walking tour of historic downtown Fergus Falls at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. A Center for the Arts is also providing a Concert in the Park at Roosevelt Park from 5 to 7 p.m.
On Friday June 13, community members are encouraged to participate in one of the day’s many highlights by showing off their bikes at the Ride-In Bike Show at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Best Western and U Motors, the show includes prize drawings and a clinic on motorcycle safety and care.
Summerfest officially begins Saturday at 9 a.m. with crafters, food vendors, a bean bag tournament, pony rides, Bingo and an inflatable bounce house. Helicopter rides will also be given by Hawkeye Helicopter.
Following the conclusion of events at 5 p.m., the Summerfest Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Lincoln Avenue and continue to Mount Faith. For late night types, there will be a street dance featuring Fuse sponsored by the American Legion.
This year marks Summerfest’s pilot run as a two-day event beginning with a Fly-In Breakfast on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fergus Falls Airport sponsored by the EAA. Proceeds from the breakfast benefit the Young Eagles Program.
Reverend Omar Gjerness will preside over the first ever Summerfest outdoor church service beginning at 9 a.m. To help families celebrate Father’s Day, activities for parents and kids will be held from noon to 3 p.m., including 3-legged races, gunny sack races and relay competitions.
In addition to the continuation of Saturday’s fun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday will also feature the 1st Annual Summerfest Dog Show. Prizes and trophies will be awarded for events including Junior Handler, Best in Show for both large and small breeds, and Best Costume.
Area locals look forward to Summerfest each June, and those who have never experienced the hustle and bustle of the community-wide event are encouraged to spend time downtown and discover what the celebration has to offer.
“It’s a nice way to bring together people from the community and from outside of Fergus Falls to see who we are and what we offer here in Fergus Falls,” said Gundersen.
For more details about highlighted events and a complete schedule of Summerfest 2008, visit www.fergusfallssummerfest.com.
