It’s already that time of year! Gays Mills Spring Festival will be upon us in one short week. Happening May 12, 13, and 14 there is something for everyone over the three-day event.
Things kick off on Friday May 12 with a square dance at 7 p.m. at the “old” community building located at 212 Main Street. A favorite for many, all of the dances are taught so even a first timer can join in on the fun.
Things really get cooking along on Saturday, with a tractor pull, rodeo, and folk festival, and don’t forget the Museum of the Kickapoo will also be open.
The antique tractor pull, or as its more formally known as The Sixth Annual Old Iron Revival will take place on Railroad street in the block north of Main Street, down town. Weigh in starts at 9 a.m. with pulling beginning at 11 a.m.
The event features 20 classes in four divisions- antique, improved, super and farm. There will be a $20 hook fee with 50 percent payback in each class. Donations are encouraged to support charities serving the Kickapoo Valley.
The event is a blacktop pull with the Midwest Pulling Sled providing the eliminator. Charlie Fisher, from Ferryville will be on hand to announce the event.
A local Girl Scout Troop will run the food stand again this year.
For more information contact Jim Wedeberg at 651-253-4038, Wendell Showen at 608-293-1089 or Dave Saegrove at 608-567-4250.
Oh, one more thing, remember to bring a lawn chair for comfortable seating.
Another yearly favorite is the Ridge and Valley Rodeo. The event is held at the Crawford County Fair grounds and happens both Saturday and Sunday.
The rodeo starts at 11 a.m. and includes bull riding, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, mutton busting, and team roping. Barrel racing to follow Saturday racing.
For more information call 608-606-3466.
Located in the Lions Park by the big apple will be The Folk Festival of Music and Dance.
In addition to the Friday Square dance, there will be many activities on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Starting at noon and running until 5:30 there will be an open stage, May Pole Dance, May Crown making, some good ol’ parking lot picking, community singing, performer workshops and so much more for young and old.
Starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. at the Kickapoo Exchange Foods Coop, Watercrest Café there will be a chili supper. Stop in and refuel before you boogie on down at the Saturday evening concert.
The concert features both local and regional acts, The Radio Wranglers, The Bootlicker Stringband, and The Parrishes. Not to be forgotten will be the singing emcee, Liz Rog. A concert event that will surely satisfy your blue grass bone.
Things wrap up for the music scene on Sunday, with an 11 a.m. Gospel Sing at the Lions Park.
For more information visit www.gaysmillsfolkfest.org.
Along with the Gospel Sing, Sunday will also play host to the ever-popular Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast at the Ocooch Mountain Rescue EMS building. Treat mom to a delicious breakfast and help out a vital part of our community at the same time.
Something of special note will be the Apple Queen announcement, which will also take place at the Pancake Breakfast. A old time tradition in Gays Mills that is being brought back for the first time since the 1990’s.
With all of that fun packed into one weekend, how can you plan to be any where else but Gays Mills!?
