Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Town celebration takes place this weekend
LACROSSE — The 107th annual Farmers’ Festival is set for Friday through Sunday, June 24-26.
First held in June of 1915 under the name “Chautauqua”, the theme this year is “Back to our Roots,” which honors the celebration’s old-fashioned origins.
According to organizer Chelsey Startin, the goal this year is “to bring back how it used to be.”
The weekend’s festivities kick off with an 8 o’clock Friday evening car cruise down Main Street.
Cars, tractors and trucks of all ages and varieties are expected, organizers said.
On Saturday morning, festival-goers have the opportunity to bid in a 9 a.m. silent auction at The Gathering Place on Main Street; proceeds benefit the not-for-profit LaCrosse Community Pride.
Parade registrations take place at 9 a.m. at the Scale House. Following vehicle registration, parade vehicles and floats will begin lining up at 9:30 a.m.
The procession starts at 10:30 a.m.
Floats will be judged by LaCrosse Business Group members, with cash prizes offered to the Top 3.
Also on Main Street, visitors will have the chance to see the work of local quilters, which will be on display at Pins and Needles from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., two photo galleries will be open at The Gathering Place; the work of photography contest competitors will be on display, while simultaneously a collection of historical rural heritage photos will be shown at the LaCrosse Library.
For those interested in less recent history, the Renovated Rock Houses will be hosting an open house for visitors to explore an Ice Age exhibit.
In the shade of the City Park, vendors will be selling baked goods, beverages and snacks beginning at 10 a.m., with live entertainment beginning at noon and a prize scramble for children agsd 9 and younger beginning at 1 p.m.
Right across the street from the park, the LaCrosse football field will have a golf shot contest at 1 p.m. and wheelbarrow, sack, and three-legged races for children and adults at 1:30 p.m.
After the parade, the city’s public pool will offer free swimming in the afternoon from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
To end the evening, adults are invited to a “Wine & Stein” event from 6-9 p.m. in the Community Building and later at 9 p.m. live music.
Reid Thompson is an intern reporter at the Whitman County Gazette. Reid is enrolled at Syracuse University, where he studies journalism and international relations.
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