TRACY — It’s a tradition with a lot of staying power. This weekend, Tracy’s Box Car Days festival is back for its 97th year, with four days of events and attractions for all ages.

The festival kicks off on Friday evening with live music and a build-your-own burger night hosted by the Tracy Area Chamber of Commerce. Then the events keep going through the Labor Day weekend, building up to the Box Car Days parade on Monday afternoon.

Quite a few of the festival events are returning favorites, like a carnival, and the Miss Tracy scholarship program. A street dance featuring music by Shirts & Skins will be held on Saturday night, followed by Kids’ Day events in Central Park on Sunday, and the annual fly-in breakfast at the Tracy municpal airport on Monday.

One event planned for the weekend will be new for Box Car Days. A pickleball tournament will be held on the street outside the Veterans Memorial Center on Sunday. Organizer Natalie Oellien said so far about seven or eight teams had signed up for the tournament. “That’s a great amount,” she said.

Oellien is originally from Tracy, and she said organizing the pickleball tournament was a way to get involved as she takes part in Box Car Days. Playing pickleball was also a great way to meet new people and have some fun, she said.

With area tournaments, “I feel like you really get the die-hards, people who love playing pickleball, and love playing pickleball with new people,” Oellien said.

Boxcar Days is also a good time to check out the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum in Tracy. The annual antique tractor show will be going on all weekend at the museum.

“Last year, we had 67 tractors, and there were eight or nine other pieces of farm equipment,” said Jeff Meyer. Meyer said organizers were hoping for an even better turnout this year. Tractor show participants also have a tractor drive around Tracy each afternoon, Friday through Sunday. This year, the event would be in memory of Jeff’s father John D. Meyer.

“My dad and I did this for about 30 years,” Meyer said.

During Box Car Days weekend, the museum also sells buttons, and offers some special meals.

“On Saturday, we usually do a pork sandwich barbecue,” Meyer said. This year, there will also be food trucks at the museum on Sunday.

It was good to see the Box Car Days festival going strong for more than 90 years, Meyer said.

“I think that’s wonderful,” he said. He hoped the tradition would continue.

Schedule of events

FRIDAY

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center and tractor show

4 p.m.: Tractor drive

5-8: Tracy Area Chamber burger night

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Entertainment by Kayla Daniels

SATURDAY

8:30 a.m.-Noon: Kegs & Eggs

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center and tractor show

9 a.m.: Softball tournament

9-Noon: Farmers market

11: 400 Open golf tournament registration

11:30: Beanbag tournament registration

1 p.m.: Texas hold ’em tournament at Tracy Eagles Club

3: Kiddie parade for kids up to age 12

3: Tween Pizza, Puzzle & Guzzle event

4: Midwest Rides and Concessions

4: Tractor drive

6: Pizza, Puzzle & Guzzle event

6-9: Shetek Area Smooth Sailing silent auction

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance featuring Shirts & Skins

SUNDAY

8:30 a.m.: Pickleball tournament registration

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center and tractor show

9-12:30: Dad’s Belgian Waffles at St. Mary’s Church Hall

9: Mud volleyball tournament at the Caboose

10: Horseshoe tournament registration

10-5: Kids’ day at Central Park. Events include inflatables, Cowboy Up live music, pedal pull and tae kwon do demonstration.

Noon: Midwest Rides and Concessions

1: Kids Pizza, Puzzle & Guzzle event

1: Human Foosball registration

4: Tractor drive

6:30: Miss Tracy Scholarship Program

8-Midnight: Karaoke by Daren Jacob

MONDAY

7-11 a.m.: Fly-in/Drive-in Breakfast at Tracy Municipal Airport

7:30 a.m.: Registration for Box Car Days road race 5K

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center and tractor show

9-Noon: Farmers and flea market

10-3: St. Mary’s arts and crafts fair

11-3: St. Mary’s food stand

Noon: Midwest Rides and Concessions

1: Grand Parade. Beer tent party after the parade, approx. 3 p.m.