Packed schedule of festivals this weekend

Community events planned in Minneota, Milroy and more

Summer might be coming to an end, but the fun isn't over yet for area community celebrations. This weekend Minneota area residents will be celebrating Boxelder Bug Days, while Milroy holds its annual Fun Fest, and the community of Clarkfield celebrates Cardinal Days.

A couple of the events coming up this weekend are geared toward arts or hobbies. The community of Lamberton will be showcasing blacksmithing work at Hot Iron Days, and on Saturday the Marshall Radio Control Club will be flying model aircraft at a field south of town.

At Minneota's Boxelder Bug Days, community traditions will be back alongside some new events.

"We always like to bring something new," said Scott Josephson, one of the organizers of Boxelder Bug Days.

Some of the new events this year include a sand volleyball tournament, which starts Saturday morning at Countryside Golf Club. On Saturday afternoon, photographer and speaker Doug Ohman will be giving a talk about America's 250th anniversary at the Minneota Opera Hall.

"He had done a presentation in Marshall earlier this year," and organizers were interested in bringing Ohman to Minneota, Josephson said.

Another new event this year was suggested by the Minneota Silver Spur Saddle Club. The saddle club holds an annual barrel race and pole bending event during Bug Days. This year, they're also adding a lawn mower barrel race event on Sunday after the Boxelder Bug Days parade, Josephson said. Drivers will use riding mowers to compete in a barrel racing course.

Lots of returning events are part of the Bug Days fun, like a family fun run, kiddie parade and chili cook-off on Saturday. The Boxelder Bug Days Queen coronation will be Saturday night, followed by a street dance featuring Casey Muessigmann.

The Boxelder Bug Days grand parade will be Sunday at 1 p.m.

A day of fun in Milroy

Milroy's community festival is back again this year, and the schedule of events has grown, organizers said.

"This year, it's starting out with more things. We are expanding it," said Bev Welu, one of the organizers of Milroy Fun Fest. Some of the new events at this year's festival is a 5K color run, which will start out the festivities at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Lots of other events and activities geared toward all age levels are packed into the day, including new attractions like a volleyball tournament and a climbing wall. Welu said there will be plenty of food available throughout the day, from local businesses as well as organizations including the American Legion, 4-H clubs, and the Milroy Fire Department and first responders.

The Fun Fest schedule for Saturday includes kid-friendly activities like inflatables, train rides, and a coin scavenger hunt. There will also be games like nine square and gaga ball, and events like the Fun Fest Parade, a car show and a pedal pull. A rummage sale and open house will be held at the old Milroy school building from 9 a.m. to noon.

The community response to Fun Fest over the past couple of years has been good to see, Welu said.

"Next year it's Milroy's 125th anniversary, and we wanted to bring back Fun Fest before that, to get ready," she said. "We have had awesome sponsors through Milroy and surrounding communities."

Cardinal Days in Clarkfield

Clarkfield community members will have a chance for good food, fun and even fireworks this weekend during Cardinal Days. The festival includes a variety of activities and concessions at North Park in Clarkfield. The Cardinals food stand and a Mexican cookout will both be in the park Saturday afternoon, along with bingo, free kids' activities and the Assembly of God's classic car show.

In the evening, a free pork chop meal will be held in downtown Clarkfield, followed by a street dance featuring Rucus. A fireworks display will be held at dark.

The Healing Waters Parish will hold a burger and pie fundraiser on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clarkfield City Hall.

Flying sparks in Lamberton

Lamberton's annual Hot Iron Days will be starting up today, with blacksmithing demonstrations and the chance for members of the public to make their own molds for cast-iron artwork. The sand shop, where people can make their own iron-casting molds, will be open in the park from noon to seven on Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. There will be blacksmithing demonstrations both days, and on Saturday evening at dusk, professional iron casters will hold an iron pour.

Other events at Hot Iron Days will include a kiddie parade, an "all wheels" car show, and a kids' glow dance party at the community center.

Fun flying near Marshall

Fans of radio-controlled aircraft have a chance to see model planes take to the sky, as the Marshall Radio Control Club holds its annual "Fun Fly" event on Saturday. The free event starts at 10 a.m. at the Marshall RC Club flying field, which is located south of Marshall near 250th Street, east of First Baptist Church.

Spectators are welcome at the Fun Fly, but an AMA license is required to fly aircraft. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. Food and drink will be available on the grounds, starting at noon. A free-will offering will be accepted for the food.