Little Miss/Mr. Contest one of many new Farm & City Days events
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
It will be a little bit country, a little bit city — just like the celebration it kicks off.
A new event, The Little Miss/Little Mister Pageant, will open 2014 Farm and City Days festivities on Thursday, July 10 at 7 p.m. at New Richland City Hall.
It’s open to youth age 4-7 who have a New Richland address and includes two divisions, Little Miss/Little Mr. Farmer and Little Miss/Little Mr. City.
“It’s something everyone should come and see, young and old,” said event organizer Jennie Johnson. “We hope to see a lot of people come and watch these children.”
Contestants will introduce themselves and be judged on their answers to three questions, appearance, group activity participation and overall demeanor while on stage. There is no talent competition. Contestants may wear whatever they feel suits them as a little country boy/girl or little city boy/girl. There are six out-of-town judges lined up, including some area celebrities. Four winners will be crowned and awarded prizes including $25 in cash. The cost to participate is $10. Winners will also receive sashes in commemoration of the event. All entrants have the opportunity to ride in the Farm and City Days parade.As of Monday, Johnson said there were some kids already signed up, but not enough. More children are needed to enter, especially boys and kids from town. For more information, or to sign up your child, call Jennie at 507-475-1021. Entry forms are also available at the Star Eagle office and NR City Hall. Entry deadline is July 1.
It’s one of several new events for this year’s Farm and City Days, which runs July 10-12.
Another is Friday Night Lights on Broadway, set for 7 p.m. Friday on main street.
The action really heats up on Saturday.
“It is a very big Saturday,” said Farm and City Days committee member Kelly Martens. “We tried to get a little something for everyone.”
New is the inaugural Hillbilly 5K Run/Walk set for 8 a.m. Saturday. Entrants are encouraged to dress in the hillbilly theme. Find entry forms at the Star Eagle or City Hall.
Also new is the Out With the Old-In With the New Swap Meet and Vendor Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. There’s still room for vendors, including home-based businesses. Anyone interested can call Kelly at 507-380-2414.
Also new is a performance by the Elm Creek Cowboy Theater Company, which will reenact a shootout at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on main street.
Entry forms for the annual Chore Boy Contest — set for Saturday at 2 p.m. — are available at the Star Eagle and City Hall. It’s limited to the first 12 entries.
A volleyball tournament is set for 9 a.m. Saturday. Contact Kim Schlaak at 507-461-2095 to enter.
A Sunday softball tournament is planned for 10 a.m. Call Alex Moen at 507-456-8240 for information.
A new event for Sunday is the Four Corners and the Farm Family Fun Fest, a wacky Olympics of sort scheduled for noon at City Park. Contestants will represent four quadrants of New Richland — NE, NW, SE, SW — and those beyond city limits. A trophy and bragging rights go to the winners.
There are other new events and old favorites as well, with the parade grand marshall announcement at 9 a.m. Saturday during the pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall, and of course the 29th Annual Farm and City Days Parade at 5 p.m. Saturday. Watch future editions of the Star Eagle for a complete list of events.
Entry forms and information on most everything can be found at www.farmandcitydays.com or on Facebook.
Sign-up sheets for anyone willing to volunteer at the Saturday night street dance can be found at New Richland Liquor. Anyone wishing to volunteer for anything can call Kelly at 507-380-2414.