MADELIA – Summer fun and activities did not end with the 4th of July holiday. This weekend three area communities, Madelia, Winthrop and Comfrey, are celebrating days of civic activities. Over the next three these communities will host events such as parade, fireworks, blues festival, kids carnival, various sports tournaments, car shows, and beer gardens.

Madelia Park Days

The 41 Annual Madelia Park Days kicks off Friday morning a with the Lions Club Junior Golf Tournament at the Madelia Golf Clubhouse. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the contest starts at 9 a.m. The tournament is broken into three age groups; 10 and under, 11-14, and 15-18. Jim Lawrence Orchestra will play at Hartshorn Manor Parking lot starting at 4 p.m. The American Legion will hold a hog roast also starting at 4 p.m. These events are the lead up to the Grand Parade at 7p.m. The Parade will start on Drew Avenue and follow Main Street down to Watona Park. Watona Park will host food and music following the parade with a special fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 9 festivities will continue 8 a.m. with a baseball tournament in Watona Park and 5K Run/Walk at Madelia Town Hall starting at 9 a.m. The Rivers Edge Arts & More Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature 70 crafters and artisans in Watona Park. Later in the morning at 11 a.m. the Blues Festival will begin on Watona Park Stage. Six bands will perform including; The Everette Smithson Band; Jimmy and the Band of Souls; Billy and the Bangers; The Butains; Boom Boom Steve V & the Knockouts; Lisa Wenger & her Mean Mean Men. The Kids Carnival starts at 2 p.m. and will feature face painting and giant inflatables.

Sunday, July 10 Family fun and food vendors will be in the park all day. Fireman’s Breakfast will be held in the park from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Watona Park Stage will feature gospel music from The Mages Family starting at 11 a.m. A three-on-three basketball tournament will be held throughout afternoon with registration beginning at the swimming pool parking lot at 11 a.m. with fourth grade through adult age divisions.

The Madelia Chamber anticipates over 3,000 people will attend this year’s Park Days to support the rebuilding efforts from the Feb. 3 fire.

Winthrop Farm City

Fun Fest

Winthrop’s Farm City Fun Festivities begin Friday afternoon with the opening of the Beer Garden at 4 p.m. and continue with Bi-County Baseball at 6:30 p.m. The night will end with Bar Olympics hosted by Hot 96.7’s Stunt Money and live remote prize giveaway.

Saturday, events begin with the Volleyball Tournament and T-ball tournament, both starting at 9 a.m. The Kids Midway will open at 10 a.m. and feature rock climbing, obstacle course, laser tag and bounce houses. At 2:30 p.m. the Winthrop Fire Department will sponsor a kids water fight. Evening entertainment will feature the music of “Second Notion” at Tanker Bay Sports Bar from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Sunday the city will host its 15th Annual Car Show on the north end of Winthrop Park starting at 10 a.m. The Great Parade will start at 2 p.m. and will feature Minnesota Timberwolves mascot Crunch, Ho Ho Classic Cars, Phoenix Drumline, Shrine Funsters, and Jim Lawrence Orchestra. The parade route starts at Army Reserve to 8th Street, Main Street and along 5th street to Peace Lutheran Church. Following the parade visitors may participate in a distracted driving course between the school and water tower at 3:30 p.m. and a K-9 demonstration at 4p.m. near the south side beer tent.

Comfrey Community Days

On Friday the Hamburger and Beer Garden opens at 6 p.m. an hour before the community parade which starts at 7 p.m. The street dance featuring MC Express will immediately follow the parade. Both the Dance and Beer Garden will remain open until midnight. The Medallion Hunt will also begin Friday. The prize is $50 Comfrey Cash. The clues will be available at the post office.

Saturday’s events begin with the Garden Club Flower Show at the community center from 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Registration for the 5th annual bean bag tournament starts at 10 a.m. in South Park and cost $20 for a team of two. The 10th Annual “Randy Armbruster” Alumni Basketball Tournament will be held at the Comfrey High School Gym at 4 p.m. The 9th Annual “Cory Augustin” Co-Ed Softball Tournament will start at 7p.m. in North Park followed by the 3rd Annual Home Run Derby at 8 p.m.

Sunday the 10th Annual Car Show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in South Park. The Co-Ed Softball Tournament will continue at 10 a.m. at North Park and School Field.