The first summertime celebration in Mower County will be the 2004 Adams Dairy Days celebration scheduled Friday through Sunday, June 13-15.

This year's Adams celebration will have something for everyone, according to the Adams Booster Club organizers, including the band Incognito, which is expected to draw a huge street dance crowd because of its popularity.

Not to be outdone, the city of Rose Creek has booked the popular Johnny Holm Band for its own celebration's street dance.

Adams Dairy Days will include another salute to the dairy princesses in the 50-year history of the annual Mower County ADA dairy princess pageant.

The rest of the Dairy Days schedule of events is still being determined, but it will include a parade Sunday, June 15, which is Father's Day.

There's also history to be celebrated this summer.

Dexter is 125 years old and at St. Ansgar, Iowa, there's 150 years being celebrated at the historic First Lutheran Church.

Collectible items to commemorate the historic occasions already are being sold in the communities.

Meanwhile, the Lyle Fourth of July committee is planning a fund-raiser May 18 to help cover the expenses of the town's fireworks display for the Independence Day holiday.

Also, Shelly Kraetsch, rural Racine, is planning to introduce what she and her husband call the "healthy red meat" -- buffalo burgers, steaks and more -- at the Farmers' Market opening soon in Austin.

Commemorative buttons are being prepared, posters hung, bands booked and parade units recruited.

Everywhere, preparations are underway for the annual opportunities to showcase community pride and have fun.

Here are the Mower County celebrations coming this summer (alphabetical order)

Austin: Heart of America Festival, Thursday through Saturday, July 3-5

Blooming Prairie: Old Fashioned Fourth of July, Wednesday and Thursday, July 3 and 4.

Brownsdale: Hobo Days to be scheduled.

Dexter: Sunflower Days and 125th anniversary, Saturday, June 21.

Elkton: Clayton Township Picnic, Monday, June 16. (The only township picnic of its kind invites all current residents and former residents who made the township their home to an evening of food and fellowship at the township hall.)

Grand Meadow: MeadowFest, Friday through Sunday, June 27-29.

Hayfield: Hey Days, Thursday through Sunday, July 17-20.

Johnsburg: Jamboree, Sunday, July 13.

LeRoy: SummerFest, Wednesday through Sunday, July 10-13.

Lyle: Independence Day, Thursday through Sunday, June 27-29, and Thursday, July 3.

Racine: Root River Antique Power and Equipment Association Show, Friday through Sunday, July 18-20, plus the Burr Oak Buffalo Fest at Tom and Shelly Kraetsch farm, Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20.

Rose Creek: Fun Days, Friday through Sunday, July 11-13.

Spring Valley: Wilder Fest, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 15-17.

Stacyville, Iowa: Brat Daze, Saturday, July 26.

St. Ansgar, Iowa: Town and Country Day: Saturday, June 21.

Waltham: To be scheduled in August.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com