Hurdland Ready For 138th Fourth of July Celebration
Hurdland Ready For 138th Fourth of July Celebration
By Echo Menges
Maurine Mayer, Chairman of the Hurdland 4th of July Committee, has been working with the Hurdland Annual 4th of July Celebration over 25 years. She’s been busy planning this year’s event since last summer. Mayer says some of her favorite events this year are, “The Back seat Driver Contest and the Talent Contest are a lot of fun. The entertainment groups are some of my favorites too.”
The Aaron Russell Band will be the musical entertainment Saturday night and Mayer says both the meal served by the committee Saturday night and the Aaron Russell Band, slated to play that evening, always attract a large crowd.
The fun begins early Sunday with a church service held in the park from 9:00 to 10:00am.
Mayer says there are a lot of events geared for kids this year. The Basketball Free-Throw Contest, the Petal Tractor Pull, and a variety of contests are scheduled throughout the day, Sunday. Plus the Pioneer Ranger Saddle Club will be offering pony rides this year.
The Little Toot Express is back in Hurdland along with a bounce house. The train is sporting a brand new look along with a new engine. The Little Toot Train will be running all day on Sunday. The miniature train is a replica of the 1880 Black Iron Horse Engine Train, run by Erwin Schwandt and Naomi Kidd.
The Amazing Race is new to the event this year. Ten teams armed with digital cameras will be unleashed throughout the park to take pictures in a scavenger hunt type race modeled and named after the popular TV show.
“Our car show is supposed to be really big this time.” Said Mayer. “The Car Show starts at 1:00 Sunday afternoon on the south side of the park. There will be lots of prizes and participant judging from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Registration is from 10:00am to noon.”
“Our Tractor show will be big this year too, it always is. It starts at 12:30pm on the west side of the square with prizes given along with a Poker Run as part of the Tractor Show.” Said Mayer. “Not to mention the parade that begins at 11:00am.” Adding, “Games will be played and prizes will be given after the Parade. Parade Royalty this year are Elsie Mayer and Lawrence Dixson. They’re going to be in a convertible driven by George Owings from Memphis.”
Rev. Robert Shobe will open the celebration immediately following the parade with a few remarks followed by Lisa Blake who will sing the National Anthem. Lowell Woods has a salute to Veterans, and the VFW and American Legion will do a 21 Gun Salute.
All kinds of concession stands and craft stands will be set up all over the park throughout the day and the Hurdland Museum, located on the northeast corner of the square, will be open from 1:00 to 7:00pm.
The Eat Stand and Drawing Ticket sales are what keep the Celebration alive year after year says Mayer. Some of the prizes include a four-piece whicker patio set purchased by the Celebration Committee, a $300 meat bundle (special thanks to C&R Market), and a Still Weed Eater (special thanks to Gene’s Small Engines). There will also be a children’s drawing with prizes for boys and girls.
Adrienne Hamlin of Edina is the recipient of this years Hurdland 4th of July Scholarship. She’ll be reading her winning essay Sunday at 12:15pm from the main stage.
The Armed Forces Active Family Recognition Program sponsored by the American Legion will be recognizing families of men and women serving in the military.
Sunday’s entertainment is the Redwing, Becky Reeves, and the Back Roads with Lonnie Erwin bands. They will be playing at the park’s main stage throughout the afternoon and evening Sunday.
The annual firework display is scheduled to begin at 10:15pm Sunday night.
You will find a complete schedule for Hurdland’s 138th Annual 4th of July Celebration in this issue of the Edina Sentinel.
