As the Beatles famously sang “Come Together” to legions of fans during their prolific run, Baxter is hoping the community will “Come Together” for Baxter Fun Days 2019. From Friday through Sunday, dozens of activities and events will take place in downtown Baxter including entertainment from the band Pie in the Sky on Saturday evening for a street dance on Main Street.
“Our theme just shows how wonderful our community is, and that no matter what is happening, we always come together to show support for each other,” organizer Gennypher Popenhagen said.
Events kick off Friday with a dinner by Bethany Church at the community building from 5 to 7 p.m. The main event for the evening features the truck and tractor pull at 7 p.m. Admission to the the pull is $10 and no coolers are permitted.
Saturday starts with the 5K fun run/walk at the sports complex. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with walkers taking off at 7:30 a.m. and runners hitting the road at 8 a.m. Also, from 7 to 9 a.m. the Baxter Fire Department will be serving breakfast at the community building.
The kids parade lines up at 10 a.m. and starts at 10:15 a.m. with the event parade gathering at 9:30 a.m. at the sports complex and starting at 10:30 a.m. Following the parades, lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by the Congregational Church of Christ.
Kids will have plenty of opportunities to make memories at events including the Bitty Bolts Dance Clinic and the Punt, Pass, Kick Challenge at the school along with activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. such as laser tag, wizzer, an obstacle course, swing, 21 foot slide and a castle bounce house in the lot south of the school.
“We just want them to come out and have a great time” Popenhagen said. “There is so much crammed into these three days, and there is absolutely something for everyone to enjoy.”
A vendor show will also be in the lot south of the school with local proprietors make their goods available form 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other events in the area throughout the day include car smashing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Baxter’s Got Talent from 3 to 5 p.m. and a pedal pull at 1 p.m. and tractor show from 12 to 3 p.m. sponsored by the FFA.
A sand volleyball tournament will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the sports complex and a deadlift challenge will start at 4 p.m. on Main Street. The junior class will host a dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. also on Main Street and the evening’s entertainment Pie in the Sky will hit the stage at 8 a.m. for a four hour show and street dance. Doors open at 6 p.m. and entry is $5 for those 18 and older.
On Sunday, the co-ed softball tournament starts at 8 a.m. at the sports complex baseball fields and a church service starts at 9:30 a.m. at Accura Health Care Center. New for 2019, Bea’s Place is hosting a bags tournament with registration at 10:45 am. and the competition beginning at 11 a.m.
“Everyone seems to be so busy anymore, but this is a weekend that people plan for all year,” Popenhagen said. “It allows us to take time to catch up with neighbors and have fun with friends and family.”
For more information about Baxter Fun Days, visit the events Facebook page.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com
