The 2008 Brownsdale Fest kicks off a weekend of fun Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19.

Sponsored by the Brownsdale Volunteer Fire Department, there will be 48 hours of family fun and excitement.

Most of the activities will take place at the fire department’s headquarters which allows the public to see the hard-working volunteers up close and to inspect their equipment.

Friday, July 18 events

The July 18 schedule begins at 6 p.m. with a car show with trophy prizes.

From 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., the beer garden and snack bar will be open for business.

There’s roller skating fun 7-10 p.m. July 19 at the rink with a $3 skates rental special.

From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. that night, there will be a karaoke contest. Music will be provided by DJ Bring IT Sound and prizes will be awarded at 12:30 a.m.

Saturday, July 19 events

The July 19 schedule begins with the 10 a.m. Jasper auction north of the fire station. Call Craig for details at (507) 273-8088.

Then, it’s children’s games and activities from noon to 6 p.m. east of the fire station, including a giant slide and obstacle course.

Registration begins noon at for the 12:30 p.m. bean bag tournament.

Kids’ carnival games take place from noon to 3 p.m.

There will be the $3 skates rental special at the roller rink from 1 to 4 p.m.

Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. for the 1 p.m. kids’ pedal tractor pull.

Nothing like water wars on a hot summer’s day and that’s what the 2008 Brownsdale Fest features, beginning at 2 p.m.

Then, it’s the “big boys’” turn at 4 p.m. when firefighters duel in their own water wars.

The beer garden and snack bar open from noon to midnight.

Bring It DJ Sound will entertain from 1:30 to 6 p.m. with a special show.

Need a rest? Why not sit in the shade and enjoy the Fiddlers in the Fire Hall special program at 3 p.m. Nothing like old-time music to make one smile and remember the “good old days.”

Then, former Miss Austin Taylor Bliese entertains with her vocal stylings at 4 p.m.

Is that a hog roast that is tickling the nose and the taste buds? Yes, it is.

A hot roast to feed everyone takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. featuring Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que.

Winners of the silent basket auction will be announced at 6 p.m. on the second day of the 2008 Brownsdale Fest celebration.

When the sun goes down, the Circuit Breakers band will entertain in-person at a dance lasting until midnight Saturday.

The Brownsdale Fest is an opportunity to see the community’s pride on display, meet old friend s or make new and simply have a good time in the summertime at Brownsdale.

Y’all come.