HAYFIELD – Hey Days happens this weekend in Hayfield.

Thursday, July 12, 2001

HAYFIELD – Hey Days happens this weekend in Hayfield.

The fun begins tonight, when the carnival opens at 5 p.m. in the downtown area.

This year, 20 young women are competing for the title of Miss Hey Days. The pageant begins 8 p.m. in the Hayfield High School gymnasium.

Afterward, there will be a teen dance from 9 to 11:30 p.m.

But also tonight, there will be fireworks at dusk.

The Friday schedule begins with a Pee Wee baseball tournament at 8:30 a.m.

The carnival reopens at 5 p.m. with a beer garden and food booths also in the downtown area. Bingo will be played at the American Legion Post.

The first round of a softball tournament begins 7:30 p.m. followed by a street dance to music by the Killer Hayseeds band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Hayseeds attracted the largest crowds at last Friday’s nights SPAMTOWN USA Festival street dance in Austin and are sure to do the same this weekend in Hayfield.

Saturday’s schedule is full of family fun.

The Uff Da road races begin 7:30 a.m. followed by the resumption of the softball and volleyball tournaments at 8 a.m.

All day Saturday, there will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by the Hayfield High School varsity boys basketball tournament..

The Oaks hosts its annual Hey Days golf tournament beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Girls softball action begins 9 a.m. with a 16 and under tournament and there will be a garden tractor pull 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Each year, the Rochester Rough Riders Mud Bogs attracts a large crowd of fun-seekers to its action. The races begin 1 p.m. Saturday and spectators are advised not to "dress-up" for the event. Mud Bog 2001 will be held rain or shine, of course.

The celebration organizers do not ignore anyone in planning their annual event. Children will enjoy storytelling beginning 1:30 p.m. in city park and adults will enjoy a crafts show also in the park.

Saturday night’s entertain features two bands. The Smokin’ Coyotes perform 6 to 9 p.m. and the Dweebs are on from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for street-dancing fun.

The final day of the 2001 Hey Days Celebration begins with the final rounds of the softball and volleyball tournaments, starting at 8 a.m.

A community worship service by Cedar Creek Church takes place beginning 11 a.m. in the downtown park.

An antique tractor pull chugs off at noon with a kiddie parade taking off at 1:30 p.m. followed by the grand parade at 2 p.m.

This year’s parade promises to be extra-special. It features a World War Ii vintage aircraft flyover that will excite all.

Following the parade, the Beautiful Endangered And Rare Conservation and Therapy (B.E.A.R. C.A.T.) Hollow animal handlers from Racine will offer pictures with some exotic beasts in the park.

The last event of the day and the celebration will be the "water wars" between teams of volunteer firefighters. Hosted by the Hayfield Volunteer Fire Department, the firefighters will compete for the fun of it and "braggin’ rights" until next year’s celebration.

The 2001 Hayfield Hey Days celebration is sponsored by Hayfield Celebrations Inc.

Commemorative Hey Days buttons are being sold for $5 each. The buttons allow admission to tonight’s Miss Hey Days pageant and most other events, including the street dances. Children age 7 and younger are admitted free of charge. The buttons are being sold at local businesses.

For more information about this year’s celebration, call (507) 477-3535 or (507) 477-2626.

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