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MARSHALL -- Celebrations of community are coming up in the cities of Porter and Wood Lake over the next several days. Porter's annual Harvest Festival will start Friday by putting the spotlight on local pride and residents, and continue through the weekend with a variety of fun events for all ages. Meanwhile, the city of Wood Lake will be kicking off its Community Fair starting Monday, with attractions like food, rides and entertainment.
Porter's Harvest Festival will be celebrating 142 years of the Porter community this weekend. The events lineup for the festival puts the emphasis on local pride and family fun. On Friday evening, things start off with the Porter Development Supper fundraiser, followed by a co-ed softball game between teams from the north and south sides of the railroad tracks in Porter. Before the game, there will also be a dedication for a big community project.
“Porter has just built a brand-new concession stand, picnic shelter and bathrooms” at Schoneman Memorial Park, said Josh Sumption. The project was made possible through both community and grant support, he said.
Friday night is also when the 2023 Senior Citizen King and Queen will be crowned in Porter. With food and entertainment available, organizers hope people will get “out on the town” on Friday, Sumption said.
There will be a variety of events for all ages and interests through the weekend. A tractor and equipment show will be held in Porter on Saturday, as well as a vendor and craft fair. Other events include kickball and beanbag tournaments, and kids can get in on the fun with a mini carnival, pedal tractor pull and water fights.
Sunday brings more opportunities for good food and community, with events like an “anything goes” grilling competition, Sumption said. A total of 100 people can purchase a plate to help judge the grill entries. Later Sunday afternoon, Bethel Lutheran Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a pie and ice cream social, and hot ham and cheese sandwiches.
“It’s one of many events they’ve been doing through the year,” Sumption said.
Fair fun in Wood Lake
Wood Lake's annual community celebration will kick off early next week. The Wood Lake Community Fair brings all the fun of a county fair into a small-town setting. The annual attractions include an exhibit hall, the Midwest Rides Carnival and the Wood Lake hamburger stand.
There's also fun for kids and families, and plenty of live entertainment at the fair. On Monday night, kids can take part in a pedal tractor pull, and everyone can check out the Wood Lake firemen's water fights, and music by Brandon Miles. On Tuesday night, ventriloquist David Malmberg will give a free performance for community members.
The Wood Lake Fair culminates Wednesday evening with a pie and ice cream social, and the annual kiddie parade and grand parade. After the parade, kids should stick around for the children's grand prize drawing.
Schedules of events
Porter Harvest Festival
Friday
5-7 p.m. – Porter Development Supper fundraiser
6 p.m. – City-wide lawn mower fun run
7 p.m. – Opening ceremonies by American Legion
7:05 p.m. – North versus South softball game
7:30 p.m. – Senior Citizen King and Queen Coronation
8-Midnight - Free entertainment by Mario Callens and the Midwest Cowboys Band
Saturday
7 a.m-4 p.m. – Tractor and equipment show
8-10 a.m. – Porter Fire Department pancake breakfast
9 a.m. – Kickball tournament
9-Noon - Vendor and craft fair
12-3 p.m. – Kids' mini-carnival and activities
2 p.m. – Kids pedal pull, followed by adult class pull
3:30 p.m. – Kids water fights
3:30-6:30 - Burger feed
4:30 - Beanbag tournament
9 p.m. – Entertainment with DJ Steve Coequyt at CutLoose Bar
Sunday
10 a.m. – Services and fellowship at Bethel Lutheran Church
10 a.m. – Fun horse show and competitions at Porter Trail Dusters Saddle Club
Noon - Grilling competition. Serving starts at noon sharp, voting ends at 12:45.
1 p.m. – Fire Department water fights
1-5 p.m. – Bethel Lutheran 150th Anniversary pie and ice cream social, featuring hot ham and cheese sandwiches
Wood Lake Fair
Monday
11 a.m.-11 p.m. – Hamburger stand
4 p.m. – Scavenger hunt begins. Ends Wednesday at noon.
5:30-8 p.m. – Exhibit hall entry day.
6 p.m. – Little scrapper's pedal pull
6 p.m. – Wood lake firemen's water fights
6-10 p.m. – Midwest Rides Carnival
8-10 p.m. – Music by Brandon Miles
Tuesday
11 a.m.-11 p.m. – Hamburger stand
4-8 p.m. – Exhibit hall open
4:30-8:30 p.m. – Pie and ice cream social
6-10 p.m. – Wood Lake firemen's dunk tank
6-10 p.m. – Midwest Rides Carnival
7 p.m. – Ventriloquist David Malmberg
8-10:30 p.m. – Canyon Cowboys Band
Wednesday
11 a.m.-11 p.m. – Hamburger stand
4-8:30 p.m. – Exhibit hall open
4:30-8:30 p.m. – Pie and ice cream social
6 p.m. – Kiddie parade
6-10 p.m. – Midwest Rides Carnival
6:30 p.m. – Grand parade
6:30-10:30 p.m. – DJ and karaoke with Livin' Rich Entertainment