Fireworks will be going off in Balaton this weekend for the town’s annual Fun Fest Celebration.
Four days of activities are planned, Thursday through Sunday.
Many popular crowd favorites return, including the Little Miss & Mister Balaton contest Thursday, the lighted Lake Yankton boat parade and fireworks Friday evening, the Saturday afternoon parade, park concerts, community picnics, athletic tournaments, the Saturday night street dance, historical society happenings, and an ecumenical church service.
But there are new events as well, such as a Saturday afternoon open house at the Ralco Technology Center.
This year’s Fun Fest celebrates Balaton’s 125th anniversary.
Fun Fest activities include:
Medallion Hunt – The first clue will be posted Wednesday, July 5. Clues posted at 7:30 a.m. at Benson’s & Pete’s garage and announced on Marshall and Pipestone/Slayton radio stations.
Thursday, July 6
7 p.m. Little Miss And Mr. Balaton – Victory Christian Church
Friday, July 7
All Friday night activities are at Knudson-Bosley Memorial Park.
Bring your own lawn chair.
1-4 p.m. Balaton History Center
3:00 p.m. Pontoon Rides Around Lake Yankton
4:30-10 p.m. Concessions-Chad Turner & Fun Fest
4:30 p.m. Burger Feed – Balaton Foundation
5-7 p.m. Lighter Side Clowns
Free Will Offering will be taken in park
Musical Entertainment – Luke & Samantha Nelson – 7 p.m.
“Roots of Oak” – 8 p.m.
9:30 p.m. Lighted Boat Parade
“Mobile Heart Beats”
9:30 p.m., Eastbay
10:00 p.m. Fireworks by RESPYRO at Eastbay
Saturday, July 8
Concessions All Day, Chad Turner, Sillerud-Trinity Youth Group & TAGS
7:30-8:30 a.m. Inflatable Obstacle Course Registration Followed By Run – Eastbay
8:00 a.m.-Noon Breakfast At Community Center – Balaton Chamber of Commerce
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Glenn’s Service Center Antique Tractor Show, CM Transport, 2nd St.
8:00 a.m. 2-Person Best Ball Registration – Balaton Bay Golf Course
8:30 a.m. 3 on 3 Basketball Registration – Main Street
9:00 a.m.-Noon Lakeside Cemetery Walk – Balaton Historical Society
9:00 a.m.-3 p.m. 3 on 3 Basketball-Main Street
9 a.m.-Noon & 3-5 Balaton History Center
9:00 a.m. Volleyball – Knudson-Bosley Memorial Park
9:45 a.m. Kiddie Parade Registration – Lakeview Sr. Living
10 a.m. Kiddie Parade “Balaton – 125 Years” Theme
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Inflatables – Lion’s Park
10 a.m. Coin Dig – Lion’s Park
10 a.m.-Noon Glenn’s Service Center Antique Working Tractor Demonstrations – CM Transport – 2nd St.
10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids Carnival – Lakeview Sr. Living
1:00 p.m. Parade Line-Up-Baseball Field-Maple Street
1:30 p.m. Float Judging -Football Field
Grand Parade – 2:00 p.m.
3-4:30 p.m. Main Street Walk, Mary Ellen Mattson, Guide
3-5 p.m. Ralco Technology Center Tours
3-6 p.m. Wildrose Ponies, Lion’s Park
3-6 p.m. Petting Zoo – Lion’s Park
“Over 60’s Band”
3:00 p.m., Lion’s Park
3:30 p.m. Basketball Shooting Contest – Lion’s Park
3:30 p.m. Kids Tractor Pull – First Independent Bank Parking Lot
3:30 -6 p.m. Jessica’s Face Painting – Lion’s Park
“Mobile Heart Beats”
4-7 p.m., Lion’s Park
4-6 p.m. Dinner by Benson’s by the Lake – Lion’s Park
4:30 p.m. Cow Bingo – Lion’s Park
Firemen’s Street Dance
“Pirates Taxi”
9 p.m. Main Street
10 p.m. Calendar Raffle Drawing-Main Street
Sunday, July 9
10 a.m. Ecumenical Service – Victory Christian Church
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Balaton History Center
10 a.m. Registration Adult/Child Golf – Balaton Bay Golf Course
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Trinity Church Picnic Dinner – Community Center
11:30 a.m. Disc Golf Tournament (Age 15 & Under) – Disc Golf Course – Maple Street
12:30 p.m. Disc Golf Tournament (Age 15 & Over) – Disc Golf Course – Maple Street