Annual community celebration held earlier this year
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Ellendale Days seems to have snuck up on us this year. Previously, it was an event that followed the Fourth of July, but there were any number of reasons to schedule the event before July 4th this year.
The Ellendale Commercial Club welcomes everyone to Ellendale Days, which will begins Thursday, June 27 and runs through Sunday, June 30. They hope you are able to attend and enjoy your visit to Ellendale.
There is music from the get-go starting with a dinner and a dance at Ellendale's Municipal Liquor Store on Thursday night. Luverne's Concertina Band will be on hand to play music that everyone understands, from 6-9 p.m.. Come and enjoy; there will be free popcorn at Budget Tax Solutions.
Friday is a 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. day with no less than 10 substantial things going on. Starting at 10 a.m. you can paint until you faint all day and night at Country Charm. Betcha can't do that; well maybe you can!The United Methodist Church ladies will offer a bake sale from 4-7 p.m. And, while you are at the church, you can enjoy a taco supper hosted by the youth, also from 4-7 p.m.
At 5 p.m. dodge ball registrations will be taken at NRHEG Elementary Gym. Cost is $35 per team. The tournament will begin at 6 p.m.
Also at 6 p.m., the E-G Sportsman’s Club pork chop and bratwurst stand will open by the Ellendale Garden. Once again, Budget Tax Solutions will have free popcorn available from 6-8 p.m. Also at 6 p.m. the Lions Club will be hosting B-I-N-GO next to the Liquor Store. Then at 7 p.m., the United Methodist will host an “Ellendale has Talent” contest. To register, please call 684-2731. From 8-10 p.m. the Lions Club will also be hosting a meat raffle at the Municipal Liquor Store. The annual street dance, featuring Hobo Nephews, will also be held at the Liquor store, beginning at 8:30 p.m. There is no admission charge. Get those dancing shoes out and enjoy some great music.
If dancing is not your thing, you can attend the magic show that the Ellendale Ambulance Service is hosting at the Fire Hall, beginning at 9 p.m., or attend an outdoor movie on the east side of the Fire Hall, which starts at 10 p.m. There will also be free popcorn and drinks.
On Saturday, Vibrant Life Church is hosting a garage sale and a fireworks sale. You will want to get there early to get the best buys!
On Saturday at 8 a.m., the Ellendale Firemen will serve breakfast at the Car Show Area, which is by the bus garage. The car show, sponsored by the Lions Club, will get underway at 9 a.m. Come and take a stroll and see all the great cars on display.
Also, starting at 9 a.m. is a farmer’s market will be held by the Ellendale Municipal Liquor Store.
Once again, Country Charm plans to host another paint til you fait day, beginning at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the Lions Club will have a food wagon available with a great assortment of good food available until 8 on Saturday night by the Ellendale Garden.
A bean bag tournament is also on the schedule of events. Registration begins at 11:30 at a cost of $20 per two person team. The bean bags will start to fly, starting at 12 noon.
The Annual Ellendale Days parade starts at 4 p.m. Paul Cyr will serve as Grand Marshall. Parade entrants will line up by the bus shed. If you have any questions, call Cindi at 684-3098. Also, starting at 4 p.m., there will be Lions Club kid games by the Community Building.
Once the parade has concluded, the Ellendale-Geneva Sportsman's Club will sponsor turtle races by the Community Building, which will be followed by the annual Ellendale Commercial Club pork chop supper, also at the Community Building.
The Ellendale Lions Club will once again be calling B-I-N-G-O outside the Ellendale Liquor Store, from 6-8 p.m. They will also hold a meat raffle at the Liquor Store from 8-10 p.m. Also starting at 7 p.m. the Ellendale Firemen will hold a pedal tractor pull for the kids in front of the Community Building.
Black Water Alley will provide music for the Ellendale Liquor street dance from 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m., with no cover charge. The Ellendale Firemen will host a youth dance at the community Building, from 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Sunday, June 30 will begin with the famous Lions Club pancake breakfast, which is held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Community Building. Vibrant Life Assembly of God Church will lead a worship service, which is open to the public, behind the Ellendale Municipal Liquor Store.
The last event of this yearly celebration in Ellendale will be the Ellendale Lions Club sponsored adult tractor pull, which will be held by the bus garage. The Lions Club will also have their Food Stand operating as well.
Please note that all events are subject to change of time and place!
We hope that Mother Nature provides a beautiful weekend in Ellendale. We thank all of the great organizations that are providing a great slate of activities and hope everyone enjoys their visit to Ellendale!