SOLDIERS GROVE - The Swamp People Project, will hold the Second Annual Myrtle Lake ‘Get Down!’ musical fundraiser on Saturday, August 28. 

Festivities kick off at 11 a.m. in the Old Town Park in Soldiers Grove. Fun activities at the event will include music, food and beverages, various craft vendors, canoe races, duck races, horseshoe, corn hole and volleyball tournaments, a horse show, a live  auction, and a 50/50 raffle.

Swamp People Project is a group dedicated to the design, development and restoration of Myrtle Lake (the slough) in Soldiers Grove, into a usable body of water for a swimming beach, fishing, paddling and host of other great outdoor experiences.

As far as precautions taken in light of the local and statewide spike in COVID-19 infections, organizer Randy Swiggum told the Independent-Scout that similar precautions will be taken at this year’s event as were taken in 2020.

“All activities will be outdoors, and we urge people to use common sense, maintain social distance, and consider wearing a mask if that is their choice,” Swiggum said. “We did not have an outbreak as a result of last year’s event in the height of the pandemic, and we will make every effort to ensure that we don’t have one this year either.”

Musical entertainment

The musical entertainment for the event is robust, and will be a day-long affair. Safe to say, the variety of musical talent scheduled to play will offer something for everyone.

The lineup of performers is as follows:

• Andy Hughes of TUGG, 1 p.m.

• The Iowans, 2 p.m.

• Ann Christoffer with Neal Knutson, 3 p.m.

• Andreas Transo, 4 p.m.

• Jay Hoffman, 5 p.m.

• The Acoustic D.O.G.S., 6 p.m.

• The Freaks of Nature, 7:15 p.m.

• The Groove Mechanics, 9:30 p.m.

Food and beverage

Delicious food and beverages will be available all day at the event. Offerings will include hot dogs and burgers from Solar Meats, Jose’s Food Truck, beer from The Driftless Brewing Company and more. There will also be water and soda available.

Event goers will be able to walk up to the food and beverage concession in the Lion’s Shelter, but also order food from their location in the park. Volunteers will once again deliver food and beverages on ATVs.

Driftless Fire Tribe

Members of the Driftless Fire Tribe will entertain participants with their pyrotechnic marvels throughout the evening. 

Other activities

Canoe Races:canoe races will be run in heats, starting at the bridge near the ball park, and finishing at the bridge by the boat landing. Races will start around noon, and be run as ‘sprints,’ with 10, two-person teams per heat. The first two finishers in each heat will qualify for the next heat. The final heat will involve the first, second and third place finishers overall, based on their time. Proceeds from the event will be split 50/50 between the winner and the Myrtle Lake Restoration Project.

Duck Races:participants will be able to purchase ducks for $5 each, and each duck will be numbered. The duck race will begin at 4 p.m., and be run from the bridge by the ball park to the bridge by the boat landing. The first place duck will take half the pot, and the rest will go to the Myrtle Lake Restoration Project.

Horseshoe Tournament:a horseshoe tournament will kick off at 11 a.m., with registration starting at 10 a.m., at the horseshoe pits near the lake. The tournament will be run by Jim Maybee, Sr., of the Kickapoo Ringers Horseshoe Club. The entrance fee will be $5 per player, and partners will be luck of the draw. For more information, contact Jim Maybee at 608-735-4599.

Corn Hole Tournament:the corn hole tournament will be run by Larry Waters, and will kick off at 11 a.m., with registration starting at 10 a.m. The entrance fee will be $10 per person, and partners will be luck of the draw.  The proceeds will be divided 50/50 between the winners and the Myrtle Lake Restoration Project. For more information, contact Larry Waters at 563-568-1231.

Volleyball Tournament:the volleyball tournament will be run by Doug Heisz, and will take place at the sand volleyball courts, near the horse arena. Pre-registration is preferred. The entrance fee will be $60 per team, and teams are still being actively recruited. The proceeds will be divided 50/50 between the winners and the Myrtle Lake Restoration Project. For more information, contact Doug Heisz at 608-391-0065.

Horse Show:the horse show will take place at the horse arena in Soldiers Grove, with an 11 a.m. start time. Classes will include tiny tot milk can, youth milk can, tiny tot pop race, youth pop race, tiny tot flag race, youth flag race, tiny tot barrels, youth barrels, open barrels, jackpot barrels, open poles, jackpot poles, open keyhole, open M, and open diamond flag.

The show will be cash tender only, and no checks, or credit or debit cards will be accepted. The office/membership fee is $5. Tiny tot events will be $4 per event, and trophies will be awarded for first through fourth place. 

Youth events will be $7 per event, trophies for first through fourth. Payout for youth events will be $10, $8, $6 – minimum of seven events for pay back.

Open classes will be $15 per event, with a payout of $20, $15, $10, and a minimum of seven events required for pay back.

Jackpot classes will be $20 per event, with 100 percent pay out. First will be 50 percent, second 32.5 percent, and third 17.5 percent.

A current negative Coggins test is required, and the club will need to keep a copy for their records. No more than two horses per rider per event will be allowed. Boots with heels are required. Riders must maintain control of their animals, and all dogs must be kept on a leash.

For more information, call Gail Nelson at 608-624-3477 or Davi Dilley at 608-606-5914.

Live Auction:the live auction will be run by Dan and Randy Swiggum, and items will be auctioned off throughout the day.