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Rothsay’s now annual Prairie Days July 6-8
Published 11:07am Tuesday, July 3, 2012What began as a celebration of Rothsay’s 125-year anniversary has turned into an annual summer festival. Now it its fourth year, Prairie Days is a time for the community to get together and enjoy summer in Rothsay.
This year’s Prairie Days will be on July 6,7 and 8, and for the first time, Rothsay will host a flea market, said festival committee chairman Chris Buckingham.
“Prairie Days isn’t on the same weekend as the Pelican Rapids or Phelps Mill festivals this year, so we decided to try it,” he said.
The flea market will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday on Main Street.
Another event that will be new to this year’s festival is the pony pull, which will take place 11 a.m., Saturday behind the Rothsay Storefront.
Prairie Days will kick off on Friday, July with a Community barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by fireworks over the football field at around 10:15 p.m.
Saturday’s events will begin with the Shatter the Silence 5K Charity Walk. The purpose of this event is to help educate youth about depression and suicide, said Buckingham. The walk will begin at 8 a.m.
The city parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Buckingham said he expects around 100 unites to participate.
The Johnson family will have their blacksmith shop open for visitors, and tours will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“People can see how they worked their business back in the day,” Buckingham said. “It’s a really neat experience.”
Saturday night will feature the traditional Town and Country Club Street Dance featuring Thunder Ridge at 9 p.m.
The festival will conclude with a community worship service at New Life Lutheran Church on Sunday at 10 a.m.
“We offer family fun activities that everyone can enjoy,” Buckingham said. “We welcome all of our neighboring communities to come and enjoy this fun packed weekend.”
