Organizers are gearing up for an action-packed weekend in Granite Falls as the PRCA Rodeo returns for Western Fest. This year’s rodeo has a solid lineup of contestants Thursday through Saturday night, said rodeo committee member Holly Johnson.

“We are excited,” Johnson said. “We have 450 rodeo contestants from 28 different states.”

Western Fest is one of a few different events happening in the region this weekend. In Redwood Falls, the Summer Splash celebration will feature a community pool party, fireworks and more. And in communities around southwest Minnesota, members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will pay tribute to Civil War veterans buried there.

Western Fest

Excitement like bull riding and bronco riding is part of the PRCA Stampede Rodeo at Granite Falls’ Western Fest. But there are other factors that also helped make the rodeo a favorite for many area residents. Johnson said community members love to show their support for Tanner Aus, an 8-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Granite Falls.

“Tanner Aus is our hometown hero,” Johnson said. “We’re proud to have him.”

Aus is scheduled to ride in Friday night’s rodeo.

The rodeo will also feature special events like “mutton busting” for kids, and specialty acts. Performers Rider and Bethany Kiesner will be returning to show their skills at trick riding and roping.

Western Fest also has events like street dances and food in Granite Falls’ dowtown, and a parade on Saturday.

Johnson said it’s good to hear the positive responses from people who enjoyed the Stampede Rodeo and Western Fest.

“That’s what makes it worthwhile,” she said.

Honoring Civil War vets

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will be visiting a few different area cemeteries over the weekend, to pay respects to Union veterans buried there. The SUVCW has an ongoing project to visit the graves of the last Union veteran buried in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties. On Saturday, SUVCW members will travel to cemeteries in Hanley Falls and Montevideo, to pay respects to Civil War veterans Ole Simundson and Benjamin Happy. On Sunday, they will travel to Tyler and Marshall, to visit the graves of Frederick Stricker and George S. Mead.

Descendants of the veterans, as well as local community members, are invited to attend the ceremonies.

The SUVCW will be at East Yellow Medicine Lutheran Cemetery near Hanley Falls at 1 p.m. Saturday, and at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo at 3 p.m. They will visit Hope Cemetery near Tyler at 1 p.m. Sunday, and Marshall Cemetery at 3 p.m.

A summer splash in Redwood Falls

Celebrate Redwood Falls will be holding a variety of family fun events this weekend, as part of the Summer Splash celebration. The fun kicks off Friday afternoon, with a free pool party at the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center. On Friday night, the fun continues with events like a parade and a fireworks display at Memorial Field.

On Saturday, there will be live music, food and more in downtown Redwood Falls. Sunday brings a fly-in pancake breakfast at the Redwood Falls city airport, and Redwood Speedway racing at the fairgrounds.