Crowds “Come Together” for Baxter Fun Days

Big crowds and beautiful weather got everyone to “Come Together” for Baxter Fun Days 2019. From the giant crowd of more than 500 people at Friday’s Truck/Tractor Pull to chairs lining the streets for the parade and people hitting the pavement for Saturday evening’s street dance and entertainment, the weekend had something for everyone.

“It has been great, we had a great turn out and the weather’s held up pretty well,” organizer Gennypher Popenhagen said. “Normally it is super hot and humid but it has been great. There were a lot of people out.”

The weekend kicked off Friday evening with a supper at the community building followed by the truck/tractor pull. The popular event brought hundreds of people to Baxter to watch and compete with the added bonus of a fireworks display sponsored by State Savings Bank in honor 125 years in the community.

For the pulls, I don’t even know how many people were there. We ran out of wristbands and had to get more,” Popenhagen said. “The fireworks were amazing, I’ve only heard great things about that.”

Saturday’s activities started early with a 5K Fun Run/Walk and community breakfast by the Baxter Fire Department. A main attraction, the parade made it’s way down Main Street in perfect overcast weather, beating the heat and treating waiting kids with plenty of candy and goodies.

“We have so many people come out and participate. I saw one little kid have his sack three-quarters full of candy,” Popenhagen said.

From the entertaining Shiners with their mini coops, race cars and stretch limos to local organizations including the Baxter Dance Team, FFA and many more, the parade showed off what is great about Baxter along with filling kids up with sweet treats that could last for weeks.

After the parade wrapped up activities moved to the south lot by the school for a variety of events including a vendor fair, laser tag, obstacle course, bounce house and carnival rides for kids young and old. In the afternoon, Baxter’s Got Talent hosted the Des Moines dance group Rebel City to perform before local singers and dancers took the stage to show off their moves.

Des Moines group Pie and the Sky was back for a second year to “throw a party” at the street dance playing any and every style of music under the moon. Made up of Nick Borror, Dave Montgomery, Joe Kiplinger and AJ Arterburn, the group had everyone moving and shaking throughout the night.

The weekend’s events finished up Sunday with the co-ed softball tournament and, new for 2019, bags competition. While competitors also had to fight the clear skies and rising temperatures, everyone was having fun playing under the sun.

“A lot of us have played this tournament before,” Team Fire Breathing Kittens softball player Channing Snider said. “It’s not too bad. There were six teams to start.”

Overall, the weekend, despite some hot weather, went great, Popenhagen said.

“I think everyone had fun and we tried to appeal to all different audiences.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com