BROOKINGS – In a pickle? That’s not a bad thing for the residents of Aurora and gala goers as they get ready to celebrate Pickle Festival Gala Days this Friday and Saturday.
This marks the third year for a festival theme: “Have a Super Time at the Pickle Festival” is what it’s all about.
“We used to (have a theme) quite a bit,” explained Pat Tingle, a member of the Aurora Events Committee. “But this year we wanted to kind of focus on doing a theme again, trying to get people maybe doing more floats, trying to get back to that old-time parade-type feeling.
“Parade entries were up last year, about 25 to 30. For people attending (this year), we’re looking at probably 300 to 400 people.”
The two-day gala starts with an easy pace: from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There’s the K Country Cookout at the City Park on Broadway, with a free meal being served – while supplies last. Sponsors are AEC, Aurora Quick Stop and Steadfast Electric.
Then at 5:30 p.m. at the park comes “adult karaoke, where people can win some good money,” according to Tingle. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m.
To round out the day, revelers can head over to Lemke’s Bar & Grill for live music, starting at 9 p.m.
Show time for cucumbers, pickles
Saturday kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with what is becoming a sort-of tradition: the Chuck Tiltrum 5K Run. When it’s over, it’s time for the Kids Run.
At 10:30 a.m., before the big parade, the Kid’s Bike Parade, with a superhero theme, will roll.
Next big event on the agenda is the parade, at 11 a.m., with its superhero theme. Lineup is from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the Ag First lot south of the railroad tracks.
When the parade’s done, there’s a car/motorcycle show at noon on Broadway Street and the bean bag tournament at 1 p.m. just north of Lemke’s.
Also at 1 p.m., pickle time gets underway, with registration for the largest cucumber and pickling competitions.
Next is the fried pickle competition, with three food vendors participating: Lemke’s, Midwest Catering, and Shorty’s Hot Box. Tasters can also participate for $5 per ticket, with limit of 100 tickets being sold.
The ticket buyers each get about a 5-ounce serving from the three vendors. The buyers then vote with their tickets for what they consider the best pickles. The competition goes from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. “That way it’s isolated for the vendors, so they don’t have to worry about doing the competition while they’re also serving everybody,” Tingle explained.
A laundry list of entertainment
The afternoon brings a ton of entertainment to the park for kids of all ages. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Willow Meadows Farm Petting Zoo is open. Add to that several appearances by Phil Baker and by the Zoo Man. And Tingle cited a couple of don’t-miss events: the SuFuDu Drumline (at 11:45 a.m.) and Champions Forever (at 12:40 p.m.).
“They were here last year,” he said, citing SuFuDu. “It’s a percussionist band out of Sioux Falls. They do a lot of the marching band stuff.”
“Champions Forever” brings on the Bruce and Diane Crevier family, who have performed on “America’s Got Talent.” They’ll entertain with their “Spin-tacular Basketball Show,” handling basketballs while they roll and balance on unicycles. Some of the couple’s grandchildren now also take part in the act.
“(SuFuDu) puts on a pretty good show,” Tingle said. “Between them and the Champions Forever, those two shows nobody is going to want to miss.”
At 3:30 p.m., the youngsters get to have their kids karaoke and kids tractor pull.
And then it’s time for the grand gala to wind down for another year, at the street dance on Broadway. Tickets are $30 per couple in advance or $20 per person at the gate, and proceeds will go for the planning of new fire hall and city offices.
Two bands will perform: On The Run plays from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and is followed by The Barn Flies, from 9:30 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday. No coolers, please. And there are no ticket refunds.
As you get near Aurora, keep your eye on the sky. Is it a bird or a plane, or perhaps … Super Pickle?
Contact John Kubal at jkubal@brookingsregister.com.
