|
|
The hunt for the Water Tower Festival Medallion begins Sunday, June 22 with the first clue released at 5 p.m. Other festivities begin Friday, June 27. Contributed photo
The 36th annual Water Tower Festival in Pipestone begins Friday, June 27. The hunt for the Water Tower Festival Medallion begins before that on Sunday, June 22 with the first clue released on the Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at pipestoneminnesota.com and Facebook page at 5 p.m.
Additional clues will be released in the same manner and at the same time each day until the medallion is found. The medallion, handmade from pipestone by local carver Pam Tellinghuisen, will be about the size of a half dollar and hidden somewhere on public land in the city of Pipestone. Finding it will not require any climbing or digging. Whoever finds the medallion should call the Chamber at 507-825-3316 to claim their prize of $100 in Pipestone Area Chamber Checks. They also get to keep the medallion.
The festivities really get going on Friday, June 27 with the JBS community burger feed fundraiser from 5 p.m. until food is gone. Chamber Executive Director Erica Volkir said the proceeds help the Chamber pay for youth and family focused activities throughout the year.
“It’s really important to me and to our organization that we keep things so that they’re accessible for people of all income levels,” Volkir said.
The kids pedal pull for ages 3 to 11 begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and the Pipestone Jr. Ambassador contest, for ages 5 through those having completed fifth grade, follows at about 7:30 p.m. Participants will be asked about themselves, what they love about the community and other questions. This year, participants are asked to bring their favorite toy to talk about, which will reflect this year’s Water Tower Festival theme, “Timeless Toys.”
“The main goal that we have is to provide them literally a stage and a platform to come up and rehearse public speaking and being able to grow their self-confidence and get used to interacting in front of a group of people as a future workforce skill, a future life skill,” Volkir said.
One boy and one girl will be selected as the Jr. Ambassadors and will receive prizes, pinatas full of candy and the opportunity to ride in the parade on Saturday. Everyone who participates in the contest will receive something. After the Jr. Ambassador contest, at 9 p.m., the movie “Toy Story” will be shown in the big tent in front of the Pipestone County Courthouse.
On Saturday, June 28, the festivities begin with the arts, crafts and vendor fair, which begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. The parade with the theme Timeless Toys begins at 10 a.m. and will run along West Main Street and South Hiawatha Avenue. Parade registration is due by Friday, June 20.
There will be a car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with music by DJ Mylan Ray. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., there will be food vendors, kids inflatables, a petting zoo, the 605 Magic Art Bus and face painters on the courthouse lawn. Volkir said there will be a variety of offerings from vendors, including many regulars and some new offerings this year including cotton candy from Frazeurs’ Fairy Floss, and iced coffees and other drinks from the Dari King. She said there will also be several new inflatables this year, including an obstacle course, a farm-themed toddler inflatable, a castle with a dragon, a jump off and more. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the inflatables is asked to contact the Chamber.
At 11:30 a.m. drum lines SuFuDu and Groove Inc. will perform next to the big tent and from noon to 3 p.m. there will be music by “Ewing Maine” under the big tent.
Saturday night, there will be a block party on Hiawatha Avenue with music by “Undercover” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and a beer garden and the Taqueria El Tarasco food truck.
On Sunday, June 29, there will be a community church service at 10:30 a.m. under the big tent in front of the courthouse. At 3 p.m. there will be a big band performance by the Sound of the ‘Stone, Pipestone’s community band, under the big tent. Director Reggie Gorter said anyone is welcome to play with the band, with a special invite to Arrow alumni. Those interested should contact Gorter at 605-695-8626 for details.