IVANHOE — There’s a lot that goes into planning a festival like Ivanhoe’s Polska Kielbasa Days, organizers said. But the end result is lots of fun.

“There’s just so much going on at this event. There’s something for everyone,” said Alicia Tykwinski, president of the Ivanhoe Community Club.

Starting tonight, Ivanhoe kicks off its 52nd annual Polska Kielbasa Days. “Polish Days,” as it’s often known, features a variety of events for all ages, and plenty of good food and community fundraisers.

“The main event that brings people to town is our softball tournament,” Tykwinski said. This year, a total of 35 teams will be competing in the tournament, which starts tonight and continues through Sunday.

Tykwinski said Polish Days also has plenty to do and see in addition to the tournament. Organizers try to come up with ideas for every age group, she said. One of the new events this year will be a visit by the Great Plains Zoo’s ZooMobile on Saturday. Kids and families will have a chance to see animals up close.

One of the quirkier events at Polish Days is the “Diaper Derby,” a race for babies at the crawling stage. Tykwinski said the first baby to crawl to their parent at the finish line will receive a special onesie proclaiming them the winner.

Some of the other big events planned this weekend include a tractor pull Saturday afternoon and fireworks Saturday night. The Polska Kielbasa Days parade will be Sunday afternoon, followed by events like a classic car show, pie social and water fights for kids.

Tykwinski said the tractor pull event used to be on Sundays, but now that it has moved to Saturday, it opened Sunday up for a lot of kid-friendly events.

Ivanhoe community members have worked hard to keep up their local festival, Tykwinski said. “Polish Days has been very long-lasting,” she said.

Polska Kielbasa schedule of events

Today

9 a.m. Polish Open tournament at Tyler Golf Course

Noon-6 p.m. Divine Providence Thrift Store open

1-5 p.m. Free swim at Ivanhoe Pool

5-7 p.m. Pork chop feed at Gilson Field

7 p.m. Softball tournament begins at Gilson Field

7 p.m. Distinguished Young Women Be Your Best Self Showcase program at Lincoln Elementary School

9 p.m. Vibe DJ at Gilson Field

9 p.m. Vibe Karaoke and DJ at Ivanhoe Liquor Store

Saturday

8 a.m. 5K/10K fun run/walk

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Divine Providence Thrift Store Open

9 a.m. Softball tournament continues

9 a.m. Volleyball tournament

9 a.m. Kiddie races

9-11 a.m. Pancake breakfast

9 a.m -2 p.m. Bloody Mary bar at Ivanhoe Liquor Store

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Country Crafts open

9:30 a.m. Diaper Derby

10 a.m. 3 on 3 basketball

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Vendor fair

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Minneota Area Mission Trip food stand

10-noon Great Plains ZooMobile at Gilson Field

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ethnic food luncheon at VFW, including Polish genealogy research information presented by Kay Freund

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Shrimp feed at Railroad Street Seafood

11:30 a.m. Chili cookoff at Gilson Field

Noon Tractor pull starts east of Gilson Field

Noon Bingo tent opens at Gilson Field

1-5:15 p.m. Free swim at Ivanhoe Pool

2-3 p.m. Steve Lambert book signing at Veries

4:30-7:30 p.m. Loaded french fry, BBQ and pulled pork sandwich stand

5-7 p.m. “Puzzled Polocks” 4-person team puzzle with a twist

9 p.m. Vibe karaoke and DJ at Gilson Field

9 p.m. Nova Karaoke at Ivanhoe Liquor Store

10 p.m. Fireworks at Gilson Field

Sunday

8 a.m. Softball tournament continues

9 a.m. Taco in a bag at Gilson Field

10 a.m.-1p.m. Bloody Mary Bar at Ivanhoe Liquor Store

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Country Crafts open

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Shrimp feed at Railroad Street Seafood

12:30 p.m. Parade, followed by pie and ice cream social at VFW, kids water fights at Gilson Field, kiddie and adult tractor pull, Shades of the Past car show

1-5:15 p.m. Free swim at Ivanhoe Pool

1:30-3:30 p.m. Petting zoo and face painting at Gilson Field