Best Bets: Small town festivals in Grand Meadow and Lyle

Jun. 27--Lyle will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration from June 28-30.

All events have free admission. This year's celebration is sponsored in part by the Lions Club.

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Lyle Independence Day Celebration Schedule

Times and events are subject to change.

Friday

* Food Specials -- Lyle Liquor, 5-9 p.m.

* Bean Bag Tourney -- Lyle Liquor, 7 p.m.

* Little Miss and Mr. Lyle Crowning -- City Park, 7:30 p.m.

* Kids Dance Party -- City Park, 8 p.m.

* Music -- Lyle Liquor, 8 p.m. to midnight

* Family Movie -- City Park, dusk

Saturday

* 5K Fun Run -- Lyle School, 8 a.m. (registration begins at 7 a.m.)

* Truck, Tractor and Semi Pull -- South End of Town, 10 a.m.

* Lyle Classic Car Show -- City Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Carnival -- City Park, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Bean Bag Tourney and Food -- Lyle Legion, 3 p.m.

* Street Dance featuring Bazooka Joe -- Lyle Legion, 8 p.m.

Sunday

* Church Services -- City Park, 10 a.m.

* Smokin Brothers BBQ -- Lyle Legion, 11 a.m.

* Grand Parade, noon

* Kids Games -- City Park, after parade

* Flag Presentation, 1 p.m.

* Stump Jumpers/Mud Bog Races -- South End of Town, 1 p.m.

* Pony Rides, 1 p.m.

* JJ's Pick-Up Band, 1:30 p.m.

* Horse Shoe Tourney -- Lyle Legion, 2 p.m.

* Water Fights -- City Park, 2:30 p.m.

* Pedal Pull -- City Park, 3:30 p.m.

* Talent Show, 4:30 p.m.

* Raffle Drawing, 5:30 p.m.

* Fireworks, dusk

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Meadowfest

Grand Meadow will hold its annual Meadowfest celebration from June 27-30.

Meadowfest Schedule

Times and events are subject to change.

Thursday

* Sidewalk Chalk Coloring Contest and Story Time -- Grand Meadow Healthcare Center, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Treasure/Scavenger Hunt -- Grand Meadow Public Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Kids/Family Fun Night

Friday

* Under 12 Kids' 1/2 or 1/4 Mile Fun Run -- Grand Meadow School, 6:15 p.m.

* Bingo -- Grand Meadow Lions, 6:30-8 p.m.

* 5K Run/Walk -- Grand Meadow School, 7 p.m.

* Live Music by Redemption Road -- Grand Meadow Firemen's Beer Garden, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

* Men's Slow Pitch Softball Tournament -- City Ball Fields

* Coffee and Bake Sale -- Bear Creek Lutheran Church, 8-10 a.m.

* Book Sale and Quilt Raffle -- Grand Meadow Public Library, 9 a.m. to noon

* Meadowfest Car Show -- Grand Meadow Business Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Grand Army of the Republic Hall Open House -- South Main Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Community Art Show -- Meadows Assisted Living, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Windsor Chop Lunch -- Grand Meadow Firemen's Beer Garden, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Kids' Inflatable Toys -- Veterans Memorial Park, noon to 6 p.m.

* Parade, 2 p.m.

* Money Sand Pile -- Veterans Memorial Park, 3:30 p.m.

* Live Music by County Line Drive -- Grand Meadow Firemen's Beer Garden, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday

* Men's Slow Pitch Softball Tournament -- City Ball Fields

* Ecumenical Service -- Grand Meadow School Cafeteria, 10 a.m.

* Community Art Show -- Meadows Assisted Living, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Church Dinner -- St. Finbarr Catholic Church, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Grand Army of the Republic Hall Open House -- South Main Street, noon to 3 p.m.

* Kids' Water Fights -- Grand Meadow City Park, 1 p.m.

* Bean Bag Bash -- Grand Meadow Firemen's Beer Garden, 1 p.m.

* Kids' Kickball Tournament -- Memorial Park, 3 p.m.

* Kids' Candy Bar Bingo and Horse Races -- Grand Meadow Firemen's Beer Garden, 4 p.m.

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Jammin' at the Bandshell returns for second summer

The first Jammin' at the Bandshell event will be held at 7-9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28.

Due to the popularity of last summer's session, house band Ventura Highway, who performs the ArtRocks Jams at the Austin ArtWorks Center, decided to bring the event back. Jammin' at the Bandshell keeps the good times going strong for performers and fans, who can look forward to all types of music from rock, folk and county and blues to Broadway and more.

Ventura Highway will warm-up the audience with a few hits from the 70s and will then be the back-up band for singers and other musicians.

All ages of musicians and singers are welcome to perform two songs before turning the stage over to the next act. There's a sign-up sheet to get on the list. If time allows, musicians and/or vocalists can perform again later, but it's important to give everyone time to shine. If you're inspired to perform but didn't bring along an instrument, don't worry; the band will let you play their instruments.

Ventura Highway members putting on the event are Scott Jasmin, Scott Anderson, Mark Conway, Pete Wangen and John Steffel. Watch for Terry Schmidt to add his musical talents during all three Jammin' at the Bandshell sessions.

Gather family and friends, pack snacks, beverages, lawn chairs or blankets and join the Jammin' at the Bandshell experience at Bandshell Park

Those who wish to participate are strongly encouraged to bring four to five music charts for the songs they want to perform. Another option is to send the song information in advance via the Jammin' at the Bandshell Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jamminatthebandshell/. The Facebook page also contains details and updates in case of any questions about the weather on Jam nights.

Save the dates for more great music July 19 and Aug. 30, same place and start time.

For more information, call 507-434-0934.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

--Defensive Driving Class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Four hour refresher course to earn 10 percent discount on your insurance premium. Cost for members is $17, non-members is $20. To sign up or for more information, call 507-433-2370.

--Rescued Treasures -- Ballad and Stories, 11 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. Presented by Arna Rennan. Featuring ballads from the Middle Ages, folk tales and dance tunes, Arna brings to life the sound and sentiment of Nordic people as they lived hundreds of years ago. From the fantastic world of spells cast, justice served, powerful kings, underground elves, love and longing, Arna sings, plays the "langeleik" (Northern European dulcimer) and the overtone flute. All ages will enjoy this presentation. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

--Children's Miracle Network Fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Accentra Credit Union. Hot dog or Spamburger with beverage for $2 donation. Schwan's Ice Cream Bars available for $1.

--Open House -- The Hormel Institute, 4-6 p.m. at the Hormel Institute. Free and open to the public -- tour through this amazing world-class cancer research facility. For more information, call 507-433-8804.

--Chateau Speedway -- "The Dirt Show" Night, 7 p.m. at Chateau Speedway in Lansing. Sponsored by "The Dirt Show," who will be on hand. First green flag at 7:15 p.m., with USRA A Mod, USRA B Mod, WISSOTA Midwest Mod, WISSOTA Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Hornet, Mini Mod. Admission $10 for adults, $5 for pre-teens, free for under 5. For more information, call 507-440-8238.

--"Disney's The Little Mermaid," 7 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. A Summerset Theatre production of Disney's re-telling of this classic fairytale. For tickets or more information, go to www.summersettheatre.org.

--Jaycees Street Dance, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Torge's Live. Featuring Six to Midnight outside from 8 p.m. to midnight and Whalen and the Willows inside from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 cover charge at the door.

--Howard County Fair, in Cresco.

Saturday

--Hog Jog 5-Mile Run, 8 a.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Pre-register at the YMCA or online at www.ymca-austin.org.

--Free Fishing Contest, 9-11 a.m. at Eastside Lake. For ages 15 and under. $50 first prize. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.

--2019 Summer Reading Program -- Saturday Morning Fun Time, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. Free program for kids of all ages. Check the library monthly calendar for details. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

--25-Mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race, noon at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Registration begins at 11 a.m.

--Author Visit -- Kiersten Hall, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Local author Kiersten Hall will talk about her first children's book "Thirty-five Jellybeans," an adventure during which the characters in the book learn about (and share with the readers) their discovery of unique qualities while recognizing they are all ultimately the same. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

--Parking Lot Party, 4 p.m. at the Austin Eagles. Featuring Who Let the Mommas Out from 5-7 p.m. and Driven from 8 p.m. to midnight.

--"Disney's The Little Mermaid," 7 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College.

--Howard County Fair, in Cresco.

--Atlantis Swimming Federation Swim Meet, at the Austin Municipal Pool. The pool will be closed to open swimming during the meet. The splash pool will be available to the public. For more information, call 507-433-1881.

Sunday

--"Disney's The Little Mermaid," 2 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College.

--Howard County Fair, in Cresco.

--Atlantis Swimming Federation Swim Meet, at the Austin Municipal Pool.

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