by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Jesse James Days is this weekend, a big celebration for everyone in and around Garretson. The three days between Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are jam-packed with activities, from car shows and art shows to fishing and baseball, model trains to inflatables, and shopping to eating. Local businesses and the Garretson Commercial Club have gone full out to ensure everyone can have a good time.
The full schedule can be found on-line at VisitGarretson.com/jessejamesdays/, and will be available at several places around town.
Festivities for kids opens early on Friday as the Great Plains ZooMobile heads into town, courtesy of the Siouxland Libraries Garretson Branch. A presenter will talk about several different types of animals, and children may even be able to receive some hands-on experience. The ZooMobile will be at the library starting at 10:00 a.m. Later that day at 5:30 p.m., Phil Baker will be at Blue Dragon Academy, performing music in his happy, go-lucky style. Blue Dragon Academy will also be serving hot dogs and giving tours of the building. After enjoying the music, kids of all ages will want to head to the school, where a model train layout will be set up courtesy of the Sioux Valley Model Trains Society. Everyone will be invited to participate in a scavenger hunt, learn how to run train throttles, and watch the trains as they pass through the different areas. On Saturday, inflatables will be set up at the Jaycees Complex (wristbands $10 each or $30 for family). On Sunday, head to Split Rock Park for fun, food, and fishing. The Garretson FFA will be hosting a Fishing Derby. Registration begins at 12:30 near the Visitors Center and is open to all ages (fishing license is required for age 18 and up).
Older youth and adults will have plenty to do as well. Not only will the pool be open daily to help cool off, but a nature and art scavenger hunt will be available all weekend. Participants can pick up scavenger hunt forms at Jesse James Country Store. A car, antique tractor, and motorcycle show will be held in the parking lot at the school from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, and a cornhole tournament will be open to participants, with registration beginning at 5:00 p.m. Later that evening, a Glow Kayak will be held north of the dam at Split Rock Park. Anyone with a kayak or canoe is encouraged to decorate their vessel with glow sticks and enjoy the water. The group will set off from shore at dusk.
The arts will be going strong throughout the weekend, as the Art Trail officially kicks off and the Jesse James Art Show will open at Palisades Art Gallery Friday at 6 p.m. On Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Arts and Crafts Vendor Fair will be held at the Legion Dugout. On Sunday, Palisades State Park will be hosting arts and crafts time at Split Rock Park from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All weekend, the Artisan Store will be open at Split Rock Park Visitor's Center from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Anyone who enjoys live performances and music will love their options this weekend. Performances include Mutt & Jeff with Boston Steve, Phil Baker Music for Kids, Undercover Band, karaoke, a "bank robbery" by Jesse and Frank James, live action wild west shows from the Silver Creek Mavericks, Groove Inc Drumline, and the always-well-loved parade with an airplane flyover beforehand. Plus, the Garretson Commercial Club recently had speakers installed on light posts downtown, which means music will likely be playing from them as well. The Commercial Club will be having a ribbon cutting for the system at 3rd and Main at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
For those who love sports and physical activity, the Jesse James Days Road Race will be on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with registration beginning at 7:00 a.m. All ages and abilities are invited to participate in this 1 mile, 5k, or 10k fun race. Pre-registration is highly recommended but not required. Baseball fans, the Garretson 14U team will be taking on Sioux Falls Christian this Friday at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday the Garretson Blue Jays amateur baseball team will face Baltic at 5:30 p.m. Both games promise a great time!
Several organizations will be raising funds this weekend with food stands, including the infamous pancake breakfast held each year by the Garretson Volunteer Fire Department. Garretson FFA students will have a food stand near the car show on Friday evening, while the Garretson Museum will be serving sliders in front of First Bank & Trust beginning at 6:00 p.m. After the parade on Saturday, Zion Lutheran will be serving burgers at the Jaycee's Complex, and The Treasure Chest will have cotton candy all day to raise funds for ministries.
Throughout the weekend, raffles will be held by Blue Dragon Academy and the Garretson Commercial Club. BDA is raffling off a John Deere lawn tractor, a handmade baseball/softball quilt, and 1/2 a hog. The Commercial Club is giving away $500 in gift certificates. Both drawings will be happening this weekend, so don't wait to snag your tickets.
Local businesses will be going all out this weekend for patrons, who are encouraged to stop in to each to find out what they have to offer. Humble Hill Winery will be hosting wine tastings each day. Annie's, The Combine, and The Gulch will be having food specials, and the Sports Cabin will have a Beer Garden on Friday and Saturday evenings. Jesse James Country Store will have its famous soft-serve ice cream and other treats, while Family Treats Ice Cream truck will have hand-dipped options. The Garretson Museum will be open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday with free popcorn, coffee, and cider. While there, enjoy the local history, including a 1960's model of Garretson with a train passing through. On Sunday, the V&A food truck will be in Split Rock Park, and the Artisan Store will be open daily.
This weekend will be packed with events for everyone. The Garretson Commercial Club is excited to have everyone participating, and is grateful to all volunteers and businesses for their hard work!
JESSE JAMES DAYS 2023
Garretson, South Dakota
Friday, June 16th – Sunday, June 18th, 2023
Fri. June 16th
All Day Self-Guided Hikes at Devil’s Gulch -Trail Maps available in Visitor Center
All Day Nature Scavenger Hunt - Family fun art & nature hunt - Pick up forms at Jesse James Country Store
10:00 AM ZooMobile at Siouxland Libraries Garretson Branch
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Local Artist Showcase - Palisade Art Gallery
Noon – 6:00 PM Wine tasting at Humble Hill Winery (¾ mile north on Hwy 11)
1:00 PM – 8:00 PM Garretson Swimming Pool – open for family swimming and concessions
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Sports Cabin, The Combine, The Gulch Bar & Grill - Happy Hour
5:00 PM – 10:00PM Sports Cabin, The Combine, The Gulch Bar & Grill - Dinner Specials
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Phil Baker Concert at Blue Dragon Academy
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Open House with Hot Dog Feed at Blue Dragon Academy
5:30 PM - CLOSE Sliders Burgers in front of First Bank & Trust, fundraiser for Garretson Historical Society & Museum
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Registration for Cornhole Tournament at the corner of Main & 4th St., brought by Aced Cornhole *NO COOLERS ALLOWED*
5:30 PM Sound System Ribbon Cutting at Main & 3rd
6:30 PM Cornhole Tournament begins *NO COOLERS ALLOWED*
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Food Stand at the Garretson School East Parking Lot, fundraiser for Garretson FFA
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Running Model Trains Displayed at the Garretson School Commons
Model Trains- HO Scale layout with lots of details. Kids will be allowed to run the train throttles.
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Art Show Opening Party featuring local artists and live entertainment at Palisades Art Gallery
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Car, Antique Tractor and Motorcycle Show at the Garretson School East Parking lot
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Music by Mutt & Jeff with Boston Steve at Main & 3rd St. Music for all ages!
7:00 PM - Midnight Beer Garden at Sports Cabin
Dusk (9:30 PM) Glow Kayak at Split Rock Park
Bring your kayak and glow sticks for an evening fun ride down Split Rock Creek!
Sat. June 17th
All Day Self-Guided Hikes at Devil’s Gulch -Trail Maps available in Visitor Center
All Day Nature Scavenger Hunt - Family fun art & nature hunt - Pick up forms at Jesse James Country Store
7:00 AM – 11:00 AM Pancake Feed at the Fire Department
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Registration/Sign-in for Jesse James Road Race at Garretson School East Parking Lot
7:30 AM – 11:30 AM All American Blood Drive sponsored by Garretson Fire Department
8:00 AM Jesse James Road Race begins at Main & 2nd St
Pre-Registration required for a T-shirt, go to www.visitGarretsonSD.com
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Running Model Trains displayed at the School Commons
Model Trains HO Scale layout with lots of details. Kids will be allowed to run the train throttles.
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Arts and Craft Vendor Fair in the Legion building
Vendor set up available Friday evening and Saturday morning
9:30 AM Parade Line-up begins at Essex Street & Center Avenue (just North of Zion Lutheran Church) - Pre-Registration is preferred. The registration form is on the website at www.visitGarretsonSD.com/jessejamesdays
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Open House at Blue Dragon Academy
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Garretson Historical Museum open
View the New 1960’s Garretson Train Room, Jesse James Robbery display, Town of Sherman display, Palisades Flour Mill display, 1st Telephone Co-op display. Garretson Pottery for sale. FREE popcorn, coffee and cider.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Cotton Candy and Specials at The Treasure Chest
10:30 AM Jesse James' Bank Robbery Entertainment in front of the Garretson Museum
11:00 AM PARADE BEGINS with Airplane Fly-over
AFTER PARADE Groove Inc. Drumline Entertainment at the corner of Main & 3rd St.
AFTER PARADE Dunk Tank at Blue Dragon Academy
Noon – 2:00 PM Kringen Horse ‘n Wagon Rides load at Softball Complex
Noon – 3:00 PM Family Treats Ice Cream Truck at the softball field
Noon – 3:00 PM Toddler Train Rides in the Zion Lutheran Church Parking lot.
Noon – 3:00 PM INFLATABLES at the Ball Field ($10 wristbands/$30 maximum per family)
Noon – 3:00 PM Garretson Firemen offering Shuttle Fire Truck Rides to the Museum (the “1960’s Garretson Train” display), to the School (Model Train display) and to the Jaycees Complex (inflatables, swimming, entertainment)
Noon – 3:00 PM Burger Booth with cold treats & beverages by Jaycee Complex Picnic Shelter, fundraiser for Zion Lutheran Youth Group
Noon – 3:00 PM Petting Zoo by Jaycee Complex concession stand, courtesy of Splitrock Hustlers 4-H
Noon – 5:00 PM Garretson Swimming Pool open for family swimming and concessions
Noon – 6:00 PM Wine tasting at Humble Hill Winery (¾ mile north on Hwy 11)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM The Silver Creek Mavericks Wild West Show at the softball field
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Karaoke entertainment at the softball field
3:00 PM StageCoach "Robbery" Fundraiser Drawing near Mavericks stage
5:00 PM – 10:00PM Sports Cabin, The Combine, The Gulch Bar & Grill - Dinner Specials
5:30 PM Blue Jays baseball game
7:00 PM - Midnight Beer Garden at Sports Cabin
9:00 PM – Midnight Undercover Band at The Gulch Bar & Grill
Sun. June 18th
All Day Self-Guided Hikes at Devil’s Gulch -Trail Maps available in Visitor Center
All Day Nature Scavenger Hunt - Family fun art & nature hunt - Pick up forms at Jesse James Country Store
Noon – 5:00 PM Garretson Swimming Pool open for family swimming
Noon – 6:00 PM Wine tasting at Humble Hill Winery (¾ mile north on Hwy 11)
12:30 PM FFA Fishing Derby Registration by Split Rock Park Visitors Center
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM FFA Fishing Derby below the Split Rock Park dam
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM V&A Concessions Food truck in the Split Rock Park
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Crafts at Split Rock Park, sponsored by Palisades State Park
REUNIONS: WELCOME TO THE CLASSES OF 1958, 1968, 1973, 1988, & 2008!
*Food and beverages will be available throughout the weekend at the local restaurants, bars, food stands, ice cream truck and other food trucks.
See website for up-to-date schedule - www.VisitGarretsonSD.com
