Jesse James Days are nearly upon us! June 14 through 16 will see plenty happening throughout Garretson, including inflatables, vendor fair, shows and performances, golf, a 5k, and much more.
“This year we’ve really tried to add some new entertainment options, amenities and activities that we think people will really enjoy,” said Commercial Club President Garrick Moritz. “With the street project underway, things are naturally a little chaotic, so we’ve tried to schedule events and the locations of those events mostly at the JC ball field, in and around the Zion Lutheran Church area, and other locations where we don’t have to worry about road work. We’re trying a lot of new things this year, so be ready for a fun weekend.”
Annual activities include the 8th annual GCSF Golf Tournament, the parade, the pancake breakfast and entertainment for the children.
New this year will be performances and shows by the Silver Creek Mavericks, who will be doing re-enactments of the 1880’s “Old West” period, and a storytelling performance by Bud Johnston. His piece is titled, “Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers” and it promises to be very captivating. Also new this year is the Running Model Trains displayed in the school commons area.
“We’re very excited to host both the Mavericks and Mr. Johnston,” said Moritz. “I’ve seen the Mavericks in action before and this will be a lot of fun, an old-fashioned wild west show complete with authentic clothing and firearms from that time. We’ve also wanted Bud to come for several years and be part of the celebration, but until this year it just hasn’t been possible. We’ve featured Bud in the past in our newspaper and he works at the Pipestone museum giving these presentations professionally. A little oral history, some mythology, and a great perspective on native culture.”
Returning for its second year will be the Treasure Hunt. Build a team and hunt for Jesse James’ $500 treasure! For $10, each team will receive clues to use for different places around town, until the winners find the treasure.
Renovation Church, Grow Garretson, the Garretson Parks Board, and 3D Security have teamed up to bring you Movies in the Park with “Mary Poppins Returns.” Also returning for their second years will be the Aerial Silks performances and the family kite fly.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 14 at River Ridge Golf Course for the 8th Annual Garretson Community Scholarship Foundation’s Golf Tournament, with registration beginning at 9:00 am and a shotgun start at 10:00 am. Dinner and awards will follow at 5:00 pm. Humble Hill and Tucker’s Walk will both be open for wine tastings starting at 3:00 pm, with an Aerial Silks performance at 7:00 pm at Tucker’s Walk. O So Good will be hosting a Comedy Dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets will likely sell out, so buy early to ensure your spot! The Treasure Hunt will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Palisades Chiropractic.
On Saturday, the Jesse James Road Race starts the day with registration at 7:00 am and race start at 8:00 am. This annual 1 mi/5k/10k and Bike/Run race is made for all ages and fitness levels, so grab your friends and register early, as only the early registrants get the t-shirt! Head to GarretsonGazette.com/roadrace to sign up.
Follow the race with breakfast at the Fire Hall with the annual Firemen’s Breakfast from 7:00 – 11:00 am. Grab a coffee at O So Good on the way over. After breakfast, donate blood at the Bloodmobile next to the building, then go check out the Model Trains that will be displayed at the Garretson School Commons and the Vendor Fair at Zion Lutheran Church, both from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
“The vendor fair filled up amazingly quickly, and if you haven’t seen these train model builders in action, well you are in for a treat,” said Moritz. “Kids and adults alike will enjoy this.”
The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. Because of all the road construction, the final route of the parade has not yet been determined so keep a sharp eye on the Gazette, the Garretson website, and Facebook pages for the final route. If possible, it the Parade will use its normal Main Avenue route, but Center Avenue to Fourth Street is the backup route.
After the parade, grab some lunch at O So Good or a burger meal outside Zion Lutheran Church from 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The Classic Wheels Show will be in the Zion parking lot from 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
At noon, at the softball fields, the Silver Creek Mavericks will begin their performances, which keep going until 4:00 pm. For the kids and the kids at heart, there will also be inflatables, a tractor pedal pull, Kids Create Station courtesy of Siouxland Libraries, swimming, toddler train rides, horse wagon rides, and fire truck rides starting at 12:00 pm or 12:30 and continuing throughout the afternoon at the same location. Bud Johnston’s storytelling performance will be at 1:00 pm.
Also, from 12:00 – 2:30 pm, check out the Open House at the new Blue Dragon Academy building! Activities there will include a children’s street dance and chalk drawing.
At 2:00 pm, you’ll be able to catch the Garretson Boy’s baseball team face off against Aurora.
For late afternoon and evening, you’ll want to see the aerial silks performances at 5:00 and 7:00 pm and watch the Tri-State Buffalos face off against the Warriors at the football field at 6:00 pm. For the adults, Undercover Band will be playing at the Gulch from 8:00 pm to midnight, and for the younger crowd, Movies in the Park will have “Mary Poppins Returns” starting at dusk in Splitrock Park.
On Sunday the fun keeps going with an outdoor community church service at the Garretson School at 10:00 am, a fishing derby from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Splitrock Park, a Gospel Concert featuring Boston Steve at O So Good from 3:00 -5:00 pm, a final aerial silks performance at 3:00 pm, a family kite fly from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Soccer field, and the annual Palisades Lutheran Pie and Ice Cream Social from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
Plan to come early, stay late, and catch as much as you can! For a full schedule and more information, please visit VisitGarretson.com.
