With more energy than a bucking bull, Granite Falls’ 31st annual premiere celebration hits town June 24, 25 and 26. So spur-up cowboys and girls, this weekend is Western Fest.
The festivities hit town this Wednesday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. with the local retail sales extravaganza, Crazy Days. Throughout the day hot deals will be available with hot eats as an ambulance whopper feed and senior bake sale is located down town. At 6:00 p.m. The Kiddie Parade takes to Prentice, followed by a 6:30 p.m. performance from the 212 Regiment Band. Rounding out the evening is a 7:00 p.m. appearance by the past and potential Western Fest Royalty as well as a 7:15 p.m. dance exhibition by the youth of Dance Explosion.
Thursday: Saddle up
Come Thursday night the PRCA Rodeo at Lee Mar Ranch takes front and center. As a precursor, free pony rides are on site from 5:30-7:15 p.m. at the rodeo grounds courtesy of the Valley Riders Saddle Club. The competitive portion of the evening begins kid-style with a hefty dose of Mutton Bustin’. The first 25 kids who sign up, and who tip the scales at under 60 pounds, will get the opportunity to compete at 6:45 p.m.
At 7:30 the real show begins, and cowboys and girls take to the ring on livestock in bareback, saddle bronc, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding and other competitions. Food and beverage will be on site.
Off site, the Legion food stand and Lions Club beer gardens will be open at Sorlien Park from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m Thursday through Saturday.
Friday:
The Big Twang
On Friday, there’ll be plenty more pony rides, Mutton Bustin and Rodeo occurring during the same times. The only difference is that everyone will be dressed in pink in support of breast cancer as Friday marks Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. Each adult ticket sold will see $2 dollars donated to the American Cancer Society.
Come nightfall, the mother of all street dances gets underway at Sorlien Park behind city hall. The Big Twang is this year’s act, featuring contemporary and classic country from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Saturday:
Parade,10 musical acts
Despite a late Friday night, you’ll want to rise early for the early activities beginning with the Rodeo Run and Western Fest Walk. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for the 5K and 1 Mile Runs as well as the 1 Mile and 2 Mile Walks. Runners and walkers take their mark at 8:30 a.m.
A little nourishment is about right after a good workout. The Miss Western Fest Queen’s Brunch at the Minnesota West Technical College ensues at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Chamber of Commerce office. But if barbecue is more your preference, the firemen have you covered with the Firemen’s Barbecue running from 11:30 a.m. until after the parade.
This year’s Grand Parade will feature 107 entrants providing a substantial spectacle for long lasting perusal. This year there will be 10 musical acts, which is more than any other year in Western Fest History. The march begins at 1:00 p.m.
At 5:00 p.m. this year’s Miss Western Fest will be crowned at the Miss Western Fest Pageant held at the YOM  High School Auditorium.
At 7:30 p.m. it’s rodeo time again followed by another round of the Big Twang at Souletin Park. At 10:15 p.m. the band will take a break and allow for the introductions of the 2010 Miss Western Fest and Princesses. The Royalty will then commence in sweepstakes drawings for big time prizes including up to $10,000 in cash.
Sweepstake tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce for $50 and include admission for both Friday and Saturday street dances. Afterwards it will be back to the band, the Big Twang will close out the evening when the celebration gallops to the finish-line at 1:00 a.m.
