BROOKINGS – Volga and Elkton are gearing up for the start of the summer small-town festival season. Old Timers Day and the Harvest Festival are quickly approaching on the calendar, with both communities planning events in the next week.
Volga’s Old Timers Day begins Friday and runs through Sunday.
A departure from years past, there will be no theme for the 2017 festival.
“The committee decided to think of something different and go without a theme this year,” said committee member Liz Nix.
Friday
The weekend will kick off with citywide rummage sales Friday. A map of the sales will be published in the June 8 edition of the Volga Tribune.
Later that night, starting at 7 p.m., is the annual party at Meadow Creek. Valley Restaurant will cater the event along with free ice cream donated by RFD Newspapers. ProKing Entertainment will supply the music, and there will be inflatables for children. A fireworks display is scheduled for dusk.
Saturday
Starting on Saturday, a pancake feed at the Community Center will run until from 7:30-10 a.m. Cost is $7 for all you can eat. Following that will be a race at your own pace 5K run sponsored by Larsen Chiropractic and Valley Fitness. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts at 8 a.m. at the auditorium.
Line-up for the parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Sioux Valley High School parking lot. The main event is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. For more information, call the city office. Nix said anyone is welcome to join the parade.
Last fall, Volga resident and business owner Rick Severson suffered a massive stroke. To support the family, the first ever #RickStrong Stroke Awareness Poker Run will take place Saturday. Registration is from 9:30-11 a.m. at Valley Motorsports, and all vehicles are welcome. Cost is $20 per hand, and kickstands go up following the parade.
Activities will bring crowds to the Volga City Park from noon to 3 p.m. Food venders and craft booths will be set up, and performances by “Plum Crazy” and Prairie Repertory Theatre from Brookings are planned.
Also scheduled at 12:30 p.m. is a sand volleyball tournament at the park. The grand prize is $150, and the cost is $25 for eight teams.
The Volga fire department will host water games at noon at the Volga Fire Hall. North of the pool at 1:30 p.m. will be the kiddie tractor pull, with winners receiving trophies.
To complete the day of fun is a dance on Main Street from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. featuring Eclipse.
Other events taking place all weekend are free swimming at the Volga City Pool, and the Brookings County Museum will be open all weekend. A co-ed softball tournament will be at the Cotton Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday
Sunday starts with a community worship at the Sioux Valley Performing Arts Center. Coffee is at 10:30 a.m., and worship follows at 11 a.m. The Volga Lions Club will put on a free-will donation waffle feed at the Sioux Valley School Commons following the church services.
“Sioux Valley is a fun city that is growing rapidly,” said Nix, who encourages people to come out to the events.
Elkton Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival that takes over the streets of Elkton will carry the fun into the work week. The festival is set for Monday and Tuesday, June 12-13, and will draw visitors from surrounding communities.
“It’s really a community gathering not only for the Elkton community but for the surrounding towns,” said festival parade chairman Dave McMahon. “It’s a great time to meet and talk with old friends.”
The events will begin Monday night with the Miss Elkton Pageant starting at 7 p.m. in the Community Center. The 50-plus-year-old tradition includes a new twist this year, as there will be a Junior Miss Elkton pageant for second-grade girls.
The parade will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday night, and McMahon encourages people to come out and join the fun. Anyone who wants to be in the parade is welcome.
The parade does not have a theme, and participants are allowed to toss candy. Entrants do not have to build a float and are welcome to simply show up with what they have.
Midway rides and food from local churches will be open both nights on Elk Street.
“Come as you are and bring what you want, and be proud to be an American,” he said.
