August Fest coming to Belgrade

The Belgrade Commercial Club is excited to announce a full schedule of events for the annual Belgrade August Fest celebration coming to town on Friday and Saturday, August 11-12. The weekend is possible in large part thanks to strong financial support from the Belgrade Lions Club, a major sponsor for August Fest that pays for the kids' inflatables, prizes for the kids and the fireworks. This funding allows various school and community groups to staff the games and rides and raise funds for themselves.

Friday kicks off with chicken!...A handful of events take place on Friday, starting with the Belgrade Fire and Rescue chicken dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., hosted outside the Belgrade V.F.W. Post 1825. Advance tickets are $8 and can be purchased from any member. Tickets are $9 at the door.

Also from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. will be free ice cream sundaes at the Belgrade V.F.W., sponsored by North American State Bank. Their friendly staff will be working alongside the chicken feed to hand out ice cream to everyone.

The Rosebud Garden Club will have garden tours around Belgrade from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with maps available at Coops Corner, Micki's and garden locations.

Next is the adult division of the Three-On-Three basketball tournament held in memory of Austin Young. Registration starts at 5 p.m. at the B-B-E high school, and contact Dave Kaiser with any questions at 651-263-4291. The action begins at 6 p.m.

Back by popular demand is toilet bowl races, this year on Friday night. The Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaycees will host this year's toilet bowl races outside the V.F.W., with registration starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 per team, and action starts at 7:30 p.m. Payout will depend on participation, and contact Angie Lecher with any questions in advance at 320-295-2292.

Friday wraps up with the street dance featuring The Hit List at the V.F.W. from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a free street dance sponsored by the Belgrade V.F.W.

Saturday - a long, full list of activities! Saturday starts with Dad's Belgian Waffles at the St. Francis de Sales parish center from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. This event is hosted by the B-B-E Boy Scouts Troop 667, with proceeds going towards various important Boy Scouts causes. Cost is $8 for adults and $6 for kids ages 3-12.

The Youth Three-on-Three basketball tournament in memory of Austin Young will be at 8 a.m., with registration at 7 a.m. at the high school. Contact Dave Kaiser with any questions at 651-263-4291.

The B-B-E Post Prom will host a 5K Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. at the high school. Cost is $20 which guarantees you a t-shirt with pre-registration. Water and snacks will be available following the race. Contact Beth Kollman with questions at 320-815-3274.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Belgrade Reader's Club will host a quilt show at the municipal hall.

Also starting at 9 a.m., and running to 1 p.m., is the August Fest Car Show featuring cars, trucks and tractors. Prizes will be given out. Contact Shawn Commerford with questions at 320-761-9793.

The local Knights of Columbus will have a root beer float stand on main street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

One big highlight of Saturday that will be sure to be a hit will be kids games and inflatables from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These events are sponsored by the Belgrade Lions Club, and proceeds will go towards various groups assisting. Prizes will be given out to all kids who participate.

From 10 to 11 a.m., Marsha Paulson and friends will have a quilter's demonstration on the little stage on main street; this is sponsored by the Belgrade Reader's Club.

The Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars wrestling club will have a food stand opening at 10:30 a.m. and running until midnight on main street.

The B-B-E/Paynesville dance team and Mini Dazzlers will perform at 11:30 a.m. outside the city hall office. This event is another huge draw for families to main street.

Ampe Farms and Anderson Farms are joining forces to sponsor the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull in front of the L and L building starting at 1:30 p.m. and probably lasting at least an hour. Registration will start at 1 p.m. and throughout the event. Contact Tonya Weller with any questions 320-290-3081.

The always-popular grand parade is at 4 p.m., and contact Leah Fernelius to add a unit to the parade at 320-894-2334. The Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper is excited to announce that the grand parade will be live-streamed online. (Details TBA)

From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Belgrade Royalty coronation will take place on the big stage on main street. You can read about the four candidates for Belgrade Junior Royal Ambassadors in the August 3 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper. The three candidates for the Belgrade Royal Ambassadors will be featured in the August 10 issue.

The Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Area Jaycees will again be hosting a Bean Bag tournament (two-person teams); contact Janae Nemmers with questions 218-209-6462.

The Saturday night street dance features "Mixed Brew" on the big stage from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on main street - this street dance is sponsored by the Brother's Bar.

The Belgrade Fire Relief Association will hold their raffle drawing at 9 p.m., with winners announced on main street during the street dance. A limited number of tickets are available, so please see a member of the Belgrade Fire and Rescue department to purchase (all cash prizes).

Finally, at 10 p.m. fireworks, sponsored by the Belgrade Lions Club, will light up the sky over Belgrade to help celebrate August Fest.

See you in Belgrade on August 11 and 12!!