This weekend, the community of Adams will open its arms and hearts for its annual 2008 Adams Dairy Days.

Three days of fun and excitement are planned Friday through Sunday.

The town prides itself on welcoming visitors always, but this weekend, it will open its hearts to the families of U.S. Armed Forces veterans and active duty soldiers.

Amidst all the excitement and fun of Dairy Days, there will be a solemn ceremony to dedicate the new Armed Forces Museum at American Legion Post No. 146.

Dignitaries and others will assemble at 3 p.m. Sunday at the museum located in an empty storefront adjacent to the Legion Post headquarters along main street in downtown Adams.

Dairy Days schedule

This weekend the Midwest Dairy Association and Mower County American Dairy Association will return to ride atop convertibles in the annual Dairy Days parade Sunday afternoon.

There’s a scavenger hunt going on Saturday and Sunday and clues are posted in the front windows of Wagner Foods.

A Civil War encampment at Adams City Park will include reenactments of Civil War battles. It will be open for visitors 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Adams City Park.

There will be a drill at 10 a.m. and a fashion show at 11 a.m.

A coloring contest is going on right now and it’s not just for kids. Adults can color, too, but they must stay within the lines.

A medallion hunt will test adventurers. Clues appear in the front windows of Wagner Foods, Corky’s Corner and Farmers State Bank of Adams.

Concessions will be available throughout the weekend, including the Mower County ADA’s popular malt stand and the Sons of the American Legion’s beer garden at the athletic field.

Need more?

Try the city-wide rummage sales Friday and Saturday.

There’s a dodge ball tournament starting Friday.

Curt Heimer will “star” in the “Curt Says” game at Denny’s Car Wash preceding the 8:30 p. m. outdoor movie Friday. The winner of the game gets to watch the movie from a recliner and be served hot buttered popcorn and pop during the flick.

The Scavenger Boulevard fun takes place noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Adams Lions Club will host a poker fun walk 7-9 a.m. Saturday at the Adams Emergency Services building to raise funds for the Adams Municipal Swimming Pool.

The hard-working Lions Club members will also serve a fundraising pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to noon at the emergency services headquarters to raise funds for the swimming pool.

Then, Post No. 146 will host a fundraising steak fry 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

When the sun goes down, the Rocket Dawgs will perform from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at the street dance to be held on Commerce Street. Tickets are $6 and no one under 15 will be admitted. The gates open 8 p.m.

Cow-milking and more

Sunday’s schedule begins when the Civil War encampment opens in the morning.

They won’t be able to sleep late, because the pickup and tractor pull roars off 11 .m. Sunday from the right-of-way along Highway 56 in Adams City Park.

The crowing of the 2008 Adams Dairy Days prince and princess takes place noon on the Southland school lawn.

Then, pull up a lawn chair or spread a blanket at curbside: The grand parade begins 1 p.m. Sunday.

This is not a “just for fun” parade. There are bragging rights and prizes at stake for the loudest float,

This year’s grand marshals are Gene and Jeannette Smith.

After the parade, the focus of activities Sunday afternoon turns to the Adams City Park children’s game and activities.

There will be a Civil War battle and medical unit reenactment beginning at 2 p.m. in the park.

That’s also when children ages 4-11 can participate in a sanctioned pedal tractor pull on the basketball court in the park.

When the pedal pull ends, the Adams Volunteer Fire Department will host a children’s water ball fight.

Beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, there will be music and other entertainment from the stage in Adams City Park.

Food and other refreshments will be served Sunday afternoon at Post No. 146’s headquarters where the Armed Forces Museum dedication will take place.

Fred Harvey and the boys will host a chicken fry from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For dessert, enter the ice cream-eating contest at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in front of Northern Country Elevator.

Celebrity guests are expected and the winners of the scavenger hunt will be announced Sunday evening.

Mower County’s diary princess and her royal court will take on all comers at the 8 p.m. cow milking contest.

The weekend’s fun concludes with the drawing of the raffle cash prize winners. The $500, $100 or three $50 dollar prizes will be waiting to be claimed.