The 82nd Tracy Area Chamber's Box Car Days is set for Friday through Monday and will include burgers, airplanes, bulls, karaoke, Miss Tracy and a parade on Labor Day, said Val Roskens Lubben, chamber director.

"The parade is the highlight of the weekend," Roskens Lubben said of the Grand Parade set for 1 p.m. Monday.

"A tribute to the 1st Battalion 151st Field Artillery Unit from the Minnesota National Guard will be at the beginning of the parade," Roskens Lubben said. "There are well over 100 units (in the parade). We usually average over 100 units, so it's similar to past years."

The festivities kick off Friday with Chamber Burger Night from 5-8 p.m.

"It's Volunteer Appreciation Night," Roskens Lubben said. "A special thank you to all volunteers who helped make the weekend successful. Without their help, we wouldn't have Box Car Days. Volunteer help is a huge part of it."

Another activity is going by a new name this year.

Welcome to the Box Car Grammies at 8 p.m. Friday.

"We've had karaoke before, we just called it a different name," Roskens Lubben said. This is the third year for the talent show.

Four qualifying rounds took place in July and August, and the 12 finalists will be vying for first, second and third place, as well as a people's choice award.

Saturday is chock-full of activities for every age, from Kids Day in Central Park with Zoo Express and exotic animals, a petting zoo and pony rides, to Jason Huneke's comedy juggling and entertainment at 3 p.m. with the Minnesota X-Treme Bucking Bull Tour following at 4 p.m.

"Jason is included in the price of the bull riding," Roskens Lubben said. "An extra bonus we added this year."

Huneke will also perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday is another full day with softball, mud volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, the Larry Olsen Polka Band and Gunslinger performing. The highlight is the Miss Tracy Scholarship Program at 6:30 p.m. at the Tracy Area High School Auditorium.

"Miss Tracy is always very popular," Roskens Lubben said. "This year we have 11 girls so it will be very neat."

Monday kicks off with the Fly In/Drive In Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m.

A salute to the military forces is set for 10 a.m. and a new feature this year is "the Vanguard Squadron from Sioux Falls will take part in a fly-by, a salute to those people missing in action," said Homer Dobson, airport manager and coordinator for the Fly In.

"Last year, about 600 came for breakfast," said Dobson. "Two years ago, we had 50-some airplanes, but last year, we only had three or four because of the weather."

The Fly In "started a long time ago" and includes cars and motorcycles for the Drive In part.

"One thing new this year is people can get a half hour of flight instruction with a licensed flight instructor," Dobson said. "Midwest Aviation is giving airplane rides again.

It's can't-miss entertainment, she said.

"Looking for a great day," said Dobson. "Participation has always been tremendous."

"A fun weekend from Friday to Monday," Roskens Lubben said.

Friday

Tracy Area Chamber Burger Night

Build your own burger 5-8 p.m. and Beer Garden opens at 5 p.m. in Municipal Parking Lot in Downtown Tracy. "Box Car Days Volunteer Ticket Night."

Box Car Grammies Finals

8 p.m. Located at Beer Garden.

Saturday

Annual Labor Day "400 Open" Golf Tournament

9-hole; 4-person best ball; at Tracy Country Club. Call 507-629-4666 to sign up.

Annual Softball Tournament

Located at Softball complex in Industrial park on East Hwy. 14, starts at 9 a.m.

Kids Day in the Park

Zoo Express (sponsored by Sanford Tracy), Vogel's Exotic Animals, Petting Zoo and Pony Rides

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Central Park. Kids can also view a Fire Truck, Ambulance and Police Car.

Women of Today Kiddie Parade

1:15 p.m. Registration; 1:45 p.m. Line-up and judging finished; 2 p.m. Parade walk around Central Park. Categories: Cartoon Characters, Wheels, Pets and Miscellaneous.

Minnesota X-treme Bucking Bull Tour

Gates open 2 p.m.

Jason Huneke 3 p.m.; Bull Riding 4 p.m. located at MEC Lot, Hwy. 14.

Admission 13+, $12; 4-12, $6; and 3 and under, free.

Rain date: Sunday, 1 p.m. Participants call 507-360-6178 by Monday Aug. 31 to register.

Jason Huneke

Comedy Juggler/Entertainer

Saturday 3 p.m. before the Minnesota X-treme Bucking Bull Tour; Saturday 7:30 p.m. in beer tent.

Sunday

Dad's Belgian Waffles

9 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Mary's Church Hall, Morgan and Sixth St.

Larry Olsen Polka Band

at Shetek Bend 1-5 p.m.

Annual Softball Tournament

Located at Softball complex in Industrial Park on East Hwy. 14, starts at 9 a.m.

Mud Volleyball Tournament

Located next to the softball complex in Tracy's Industrial Park. 6 person teams. Starts at 10 a.m.

Horseshoe Tournament

10 a.m., Nehls Park, Hwy. 14, Registration 9:30 a.m.

Miss Tracy Scholarship Program

6:30 p.m. at Tracy Area High School Auditorium.

Gunslinger (Country Rock Band)

8 p.m. to midnight at Shetek Bend.

Monday

Fly In/Drive In Breakfast

7-11 a.m. at Tracy Municipal Airport, Pancake Breakfast served. Airplane Rides Available. Antique cars and motorcycles. Marshall Radio Control Club. Located 1/2 mile north on Cty. Rd. 11. 10 a.m. Salute to the Armed Forces.

Box Car Day Road Race

Sponsored by Tracy Food Pride, Tracy Publishing Co., Knakmuhs Agency/Tracy Insurance Agency, HyVee, Sanford Tracy Medical Center, John's RX Drug, Silver Shears Salon & Spa, Summit Place, State Farm Insurance - Mark Priegnitz, Balaton Denton Clinic, Perfect Reflections & Viking Coke.

Race starting at 8:30 a.m. 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run, and Kids mile and 1/2 mile race from Central Park through the bike trail. Contact Elaine Tholen for more information 507-629-3505.

St. Mary's Arts & Crafts Fair

In the school located at the corner of Morgan and Sixth St. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

St. Mary's Food Stand

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grand Parade

Starts at 1 p.m. Sharp!

Tracy Pigeon Race

3 p.m. at the Beer Tent.

All 3 Days

Saturday, Sunday & Monday

Special Box Car Days Hours at Tracy Businesses.

See events below for specific schedules!

Bingo Stand

Saturday - 4-11 p.m.

Sunday - 1-11 p.m.

Monday - 2-6 p.m.

Tracy Area Chamber Beer Garden

Located in Municipal Parking Lot in Downtown Tracy.

Friday - Open 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Box Car Grammies & Karaoke

Saturday - Open 6 p.m. - 1 a.m.

DJ & Karaoke - 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday - Open Noon to Midnight

DJ & Karaoke - 8 p.m. to Midnight

Monday - Open Noon to 6 p.m.

Wheels Across the Prairie Museum

Located on West Hwy. 14 in Tracy.

Saturday - Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Whopper Wagon 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday - Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday - Open Noon to 5 p.m.

Midwest Rides and Concessions

Saturday - Kiddie Rides Only - from 4-6 p.m. All Rides, Games & Food Stands Open at 7 p.m. Bracelet Night 7 p.m. to Midnight.

Sunday - Open Noon to Midnight. Bracelet Day Noon to 6 p.m.

Monday - Open Noon to 7 p.m.

Antique Tractor Show

Located west of the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum.

Friday Night - Tractor Drive

Saturday & Sunday - Demonstrations and Threshing.