Parade, car show among Buffalo Days events in Jamestown – Jamestown Sun

JAMESTOWN — Activities ranging from a parade to a car show, music and street dancing are on the agenda for this year’s Buffalo Days, July 26-28.

Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, which is marketing the event, said Buffalo Days is a way to celebrate Jamestown.

“I know a lot of people plan their events around the weekend,” she said.

High school reunions and family reunions typically take place during Buffalo Days, she said.

“I don’t think it’s possible for one person to do everything on this list (of activities), but that’s the goal,” Bivens added. “We want to have a variety of things so that it appeals to a wide range of people and everyone wants to take advantage of it.”

New events this year include a fundraising duck race Friday hosted by the Prairie Rose Swim Club, Bivens said.

Ben Smith, the club’s head coach, said people can “purchase” a rubber duck for $10 from any member of the swim team before the event. The ducks will be released into the James River and prizes will be awarded to the five fastest ducks. People don’t have to be there to see their duck win, he said.

The club, whose members range in age from 5 to adult, practices swimming and competes in swimming competitions, Smith said. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward purchasing equipment for the pool.

On Friday, two performances of “Seussical J.R.” will take place at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Arts Center. The production, which is being done in collaboration with the Two Rivers Performing Arts School, involves 45 students, said Mindi Schmitz, executive director of the Arts Center.

According to the musical’s synopsis, The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton the Elephant, a kind-hearted elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains Whoville. He must protect the speck while guarding an abandoned egg entrusted to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Only his plucky neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, never loses faith in him. Against all odds, Horton and Gertrude band together to save the Whos, free Horton, and restore peace and unity to the jungles of Nool. “Seussical JR.” teaches the power of being unique and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Performances of “Seussical JR” will also take place at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased by visiting jamestownarts.com and registering through Eventbrite.

The Buffalo Days Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and the line begins at 8:30 a.m. in McElroy Park, Bivens said. The parade route will start at the park near the Jamestown Parks and Recreation office and head north on 2nd Avenue. It will turn left on 9th Street to First Avenue, then stay on First Avenue and end at First Street near Babb’s Coffeehouse and Buffalo Grill. The parade route will not cross the railroad tracks.

“It usually lasts about an hour,” Bivens said. “We’ve had about 50 to 75 floats. I’m expecting a big parade because July has been pretty quiet as far as events go in Jamestown.”

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., events at McElroy Park include the Buffalo Rally Show and Shine, a vendor fair (including several food vendors) and Dakota inflatables. Sugar Gliders will provide music from 1 to 3 p.m.

The outdoor historical games will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, where hands-on civic exhibits may also be featured.

Those looking to grab breakfast before or after the parade can pick it up at the Jamestown Fire Station. The annual pancake breakfast sponsored by the fire department served 1,213 people last year, Fire Chief Jim Reuther said. The breakfast, served from 7 a.m. to noon, features pancakes, Cavendish potato slices, sausage and coffee, milk, water and orange juice as a freewill offering.

“The most important thing is that we appreciate the public coming to visit us,” Reuther said.

He said many people who come for breakfast have never set foot in the fire station.

“We look forward to it every year,” Reuther said.

JFD staff prepare and serve breakfast, and proceeds from donations and freewill offerings are used to purchase equipment, Reuther said. Last year, it raised about $8,000, he said. Equipment purchased over the years includes new leather fire boots for all firefighters and a meter purchased at last year’s event that detects the presence of hydrogen cyanide after a fire, he said.

“It’s amazing the support we get from the community, the surrounding community,” Reuther said.

JFD equipment will be on display, Sparky, the firefighter dog mascot, will be present, and children will be able to use a fire hose to spray water on fake flames in a small house to put out the “flames,” he said.

The Arts Center’s Mini Art Hunt will begin at 10 a.m. Twelve mini gnomes created by artist Cindi Psychos will be hidden throughout Jamestown parks. Clues will be revealed at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and the hunt will end when all have been found. The artwork will be hidden in plain sight, so people won’t have to move it, dig it up or damage anything to find it. Clues will be posted on the Arts Center’s Facebook page. Those who find an artwork can keep it and are encouraged to post a photo of themselves with their find on the Arts Center’s Facebook page or contact the Arts Center at 251-2496 or [email protected] to report their find.

Courtesy of Jen Kallenbach

The Jamestown Optimist Club’s Kickball Palooza begins at 11 a.m. at the North Dakota Farmers Union Campground.

The Jamestown Young Professionals, a chamber committee, is hosting a cornhole tournament starting at 3:30 p.m. at Drift Prairie Brewing Co.

On Sunday, a Splash Bash will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Meidinger Splash Park. The James Valley Offroaders Mud Drags will begin at 1 p.m. at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds.

“The whole event (Buffalo Days) is made possible by these major sponsors that the chamber solicits … who help pay for the overall marketing of the weekend,” Bivens said.

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Friday July 26

1:00 p.m.: This putt is for “U” for Jamestown United Way at Hillcrest Golf Course

3 p.m. and 6 p.m.: “Seussical JR. », at the Arts Center

5:00 p.m.: Prairie Rose Swim Club Duck Race, Fundraiser, McElroy Park

Saturday July 27

7:00am-12:00pm: Pancake Breakfast, Jamestown Fire Department

8:30 a.m.: Buffalo Days Parade programming begins

9:30 a.m.: Buffalo Days Parade on First Avenue

10am: Mini art hunt organized by The Arts Center

10:30am-4:00pm: Hands-on history and outdoor historical games at the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse

11am-3pm: Buffalo Rally Show and Shine, Vendor Show, Dakota Inflatables at McElroy Park

11:00 a.m.: Kickball Palooza at Farmers Union Camp Park, hosted by the Jamestown Optimist Club

1 p.m.-3 p.m.: Sugar Gliders group at McElroy Park

3 p.m. and 6 p.m.: “Seussical JR. », at the Arts Center

3:30 p.m.: YPJ Cornhole Tournament at Drift Prairie Brewery

6pm-midnight: Street dance with Tailspin at the Corner Bar

8:00 p.m.: Rock ‘N The Resort at Spiritwood Resort with Hairball

Sunday July 28

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Splash Bash, Meidinger Splash Park

1:00 p.m.: James Valley Offroaders Mud Drags at Stutsman County Fairgrounds