GRAND MEADOW – The possibilities are endless at the 2001 MeadowFest celebration this weekend.

Thursday, June 28, 2001

GRAND MEADOW – The possibilities are endless at the 2001 MeadowFest celebration this weekend.

There’s magic, fried chicken, juggling, duck races, a parade, water fights, street dancing, a family feud and misguided teachers or as they call themselves, the Lost Faculty.

That’s right: MeadowFest has something for everyone.

A drive through Grand Meadow any day of the week shows what this town is made of. There’s a new assisted-living complex, a new emergency services building, new sidewalks, streets and street lighting, new housing development and a new school. The latter, along Highway 16 at the east edge of Grand Meadow, is going to be a one-of-a-kind concrete monolithic domed school.

This is obviously a city on the move with progress witnessed everywhere.

But, MeadowFest is, above all else, a time to have fun and the Grand Meadow Booster Club guarantees plenty this weekend.

Look for the Grand Meadow Jaycees and the Grand Meadow Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service to be everywhere throughout the weekend, sponsoring many of the events.

For instance, local firefighters will sponsor the beer garden, music, food and fun throughout the celebration at the west parking lot of Grumpy’s.

The entertainment lineup includes a DJ and Absolutely Sound and Light from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Lost Faculty 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday 6 to 10 p.m. Nathan Davidson, the former Grand Meadow Public Schools instrumental music director, is the band’s leader.

Throughout Sunday afternoon, Grumpy’s will host a family feud game competition for all.

Friday events

A teen dance at the new EMS building will be 8 a.m. to midnight featuring the music of Absolutely Sound and Light and a guest DJ.

The Grand Meadow Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring the dance for the community’s teens.

Saturday events

A kids carnival will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the city park. It will halt for the afternoon parade before resuming immediately afterward.

The Grand Meadow Jaycees are the sponsors.

Cenex Harvest States and the Grand Meadow Jaycees will sponsor a kids pedal pull, beginning at 3:30 p.m. after the parade by city park. Children ages 4-11 may participate in the sanctioned pull.

The softball tournament begins 10 a.m. Saturday and continues 11 a.m. Sunday at the Grand Meadow softball fields.

Grand Meadow High School FCCLA students will sell concessions. Troy Gilbertson is the organizer (754-5501).

A bake sale begins at 9 a.m. at the Golden Age Center sponsored by St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church.

A volleyball tournament begins 10 a.m. Saturday and continues 11 a.m. Sunday at city park. It is sponsored by the Grand Meadow Jaycees.

The Grand Meadow High School post-prom committee will sell concessions.

To enter, contact Gabe Schumann at 754-4450.

Hoopsters will want to enter the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, beginning 10 a.m. Saturday in city park.

Boys and girls 11 and under will compete in one division as well as 12-14, 15-18 and 19-and-up.

Dan Glynn is Mr. Basketball. Call him to enter at 754-5069.

Community volunteers, including local Girl Scouts, will serve a chicken fry beginning 11 a.m. at Grumpy’s parking lot. The cost is $5.50 and proceeds will help pay the expenses of this year’s Independence Day fireworks display.

The Chiefs Car Wash will be held at 11 a.m. at the bank parking lot.

Beginning 2 p.m., it’s time to take a seat at curbside for the grand parade.

Fran Baudoin is organizing this year’s parade. For late-entry information, call 754-5110.

The Chiefs will be selling pop along the parade route.

Sunday events

Ecumenical worship begins 10 a.m. Sunday at Grand Meadow High School followed by a church dinner at 11:30 a.m. at the Golden Age Center.

The menu features pork sandwiches, salad, desert and beverage for $4.50. Bear Creek Lutheran Church volunteers will be serving.

Everybody enjoys the duck races beginning noon at Pine Lawn park.

Lots of prizes are offered and chances will be sold for donations by the Grand Meadow Ambulance Service volunteers.

The Grand Meadow Volunteer Fire Department will challenge all volunteers firefighters in a water fight, beginning at 1 p.m. at city park.

Prizes and "bragging rights" go to the winning teams.

The Grand Meadow Jaycees will sponsor a free magic show featuring Rodney Rash from 3 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Grumpy’s.

There is juggling and there is comedy juggling and the latter will be featured beginning 4 p.m. Sunday in Grumpy’s parking lot.

Sponsored by the Grand Meadow Public Library and Southeast Libraries Cooperating, the show features the talents of Gary Vice.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.