Fourth of July fun: Austin and Blooming Prarie hold celebrations

Published 6:05 am Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Freedom Fest activities will take place today and tomorrow beginning at about 2 p.m. at Bandshell Community Park.

Today

Food concessions, arts and crafts, Jaycees Beer Garden, magic by Jim Jayes, Kaptain Kirby train rides, pony rides and free rides and slides by Baldy’s Games. Paul Pruitt is this year’s master of ceremonies.

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Live stage entertainment schedule:

• Bridget’s Dance Conservatory, 2 p.m.

• Jane Taylor Academy of Dance, 2:45 p.m.

• Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant, 3:30 p.m.

• Jamie & Cody Acoustic, 5:15 p.m.

• AHS Jazz Band, 6:45 p.m.

• Pillars of the City Unveiling, 8 p.m.

• Austin Symphony Orchestra, 8:30 p.m.

• Fireworks Display, Dusk

Thursday, July 4

Free rides and slides, food concessions, arts and crafts, Jaycees Beer Garden, magic by Jim Jayes and horse-drawn wagon rides.

Live stage entertainment schedule:

• Holly Ryks, 2 p.m.

• Rick McAlister, 3 p.m.

• Jora Bothun, 4 p.m.

• Flag Raising Ceremony, 5 p.m.

• HUMPHRESS, 5:30 p.m.

• Gabriel Holmes with Jaggedease, 6:45 p.m.

• Announcements/Drawings, 8 p.m.

• Austin Community Band, 8:30 p.m.

• Giant Fireworks Display, Dusk


Blooming Prairie Old-Fashioned Fourth of July

Blooming Prairie is holding its annual Old-Fashioned Fourth today and tomorrow.

Today

Times and events subject to change.

• Antique Tractor Show – Blooming Prairie High School, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Beer Garden (21 and over) – City Park, 4-9 p.m.

• Concessions – City Park, 4-9 p.m.

• Pedal Tractor Pull – City Park, sign-up begins at 4:30 p.m.

• Music in the Pavilion, 6 p.m.

• Amazing Hoopsters – Judges Stand at City Park, 6 p.m.

• Street Dance featuring Red Dirt Road (21 and over, $5 cover), 8 p.m.

• Teen Dance – In front of Showmobile, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 4

Times and events subject to change.

• Concessions – City Park, all day

• Awesome Blossom Run – Blooming Prairie High School, sign-up at 7 a.m.

• B.P. Lions Club Breakfast – Prairie Manor, 7:30-11 a.m.

• Sweet Rides Car Show – Victory Field, 8 a.m. to noon

• Tractor Pull – West of Victory Field, 9 a.m.

• Fire Department Open House – Blooming Prairie Fire Hall, 9-11 a.m.

• Antique Tractor Show – Blooming Prairie High School, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Kids Games – City Park, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Fine Arts Fair – City Park, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Beer Garden (21 and over) – City Park, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Kids Races – Victory Field (South of Pavilion), 10 a.m.

• Bean Bag Tournament – City Park (by Beer Garden), 11 a.m.

• Pickle and Pie Judging Contest – Judges Stand at City Park, 12:30 p.m.

• Stix of Fury Performance – Judges Stand at City Park, 1:30 p.m.

• Rolling Car Show, 1:30 p.m.

• Parade, 2:30-4 p.m.

• Drum Line Performance, after parade

• Live Entertainment – City Park, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

• Frozen T-Shirt Contest – Beer Garden, 6 p.m.

• Fireworks – Victory Field, 10 p.m.


Schedule of Events

Wednesday, July 3

• Mower County Veterans Bingo, 2-8 p.m. at the Bandshell Park Veterans Pavilion.

• Movies at the Paramount – “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. $5 for a great time at the movies. Purchase tickets at concession stand – no advance ticket sales. To request your favorite flick for future showings, email info@austinareaarts.org. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

• Power Pedal Pull, 5 p.m. at Bandshell Park. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 4

• YMCA Mini Piggy Fun Run, 10:45 a.m. on Main Street.

• Independence Day Parade, 11 a.m. on Main Street.

• Mower County Veterans Bingo, 2-8 p.m. at the Bandshell Park Veterans Pavilion.

• Bean Bag Tourney, 2:30 p.m. north of Bandshell Park. Registration begins at 2 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Boards and bags provided. For more information, call 507-440-3605.

Friday, July 5

• Chateau Speedway – Fireworks Spectacular, 7 p.m. Happy Fourth of July! First green flag at 7:15 p.m., with USRA A Mod, USRA B Mod, WISSOTA Midwest Mod, WISSOTA Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Hornet, Mini Mod. Fireworks after the races. Special admission price of $12, or $10 for adults with two non-perishable food items for a local food shelf. For more information, call 507-440-8238.

Saturday, July 6

• Book Art for All Ages – Kirigami, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. Free program for kids of all ages. Check the library monthly calendar for details. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 9-11 p.m. at Sola Fide Observatory. Come out and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during our free observatory open house hours. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org.

Sunday, July 7

• Austin Morning Lions Fly-In Breakfast, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come out for a great breakfast of pancakes, sausage, Spam, coffee, juice and milk. Tickets $5 for 5 years and older, free for under 5 and for pilots in charge. Sponsored by the Austin Morning Lions. Thanks to Austin Aeroflight for their support. For more information, call 507-437-8299.

• Spamtown Disc Golf Tournament, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Todd Park. Singles will play two rounds separated by a lunch break. For more information, call Deb or Greg Huckaby at 507-433-1611 or David Holder at 507-279-1342 or email oneeyedwonderpup@hotmail.com.