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 If you've never been to Mason City for Prairie Harvest Days,
here’s what you can expect. Friday night kicks off the event with a
carnival and craft booths opening at 4 p.m. A chicken dinner will be
served at the Pavilion, sponsored by Do Drop In. A portion of the
proceeds will go to ‘Out of the Darkness” Suicide Prevention
charity. There will also be bluegrass music from Dan Tackett and the
Prairie Harvest Queen announced at 7 p.m. Weather permitting the
evening will wrap up with a hot air balloon glow!
Saturday revs up with a huge parade starting at 10 a.m. that goes
from the Illini Central parking lot all the way to the Memorial Pool
Park. There will be the 3rd Annual Gordon Buehrig Classic and Custom
Car Show, great food, carnival games and rides. Craft vendors of all
kinds will be on hand selling items such as homemade jewelry,
accessories, decorations, candles, and handbags, most all from local
in-home businesses.
There is always great food from local organizations as the
Spooktacular is their biggest fundraiser for the year. Visitors can
expect to find Rib eye sandwiches, homemade onion rings, baked
goods, walking tacos, corn dogs and so much more! The local
firefighters will be battling it out with their annual water fight
at noon. Sand volleyball and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments will be
great opportunities to get some excercise and have some fun. There
is still have room for more teams.
There will be other fun contests throughout the day like a costume
contest for the kids, pets and adults, a longest ponytail contest,
and more.
For avid bakers, a Pie Contest will be held at the Assembly of God
Church. Pies should be brought to the church between 8:30 a.m. and
11 a.m. on Saturday Oct 4th. Winners will be announced, and pies
will be auctioned to the highest bidder at 4 p.m.
New this year will be a pumpkin decoration and carving contest
for all ages. Bring your pumpkin already decorated to the park on
Friday night or Saturday morning by 11a.m. for a chance at a prize
from Indian Creek Farmstead!
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Saturday will include tons of food. Jason Bassett and
Whitewater will perform on the main stage. There will also be a
dunk tank, games, 50/50 drawing, a "big" money raffle, prize
raffle, and balloon animals.
On Sunday, the American will host a breakfast. At 11:45 a.m.
will be the World Communion Sunday gathering at the pavilion
with served afterward.
What is more fun that dressing up in your favorite costume and
getting candy? Everyone is encouraged to use their imagination
and create a fantastic costume for this year's event. Come to
the parade or be a part of it and get or give candy. There is no
specific theme for the costume parade. Grab some fun
decorations, dress up as your favorite movie character,
superhero, historical figure, or spooky monster and get ready
for another great fall festival!
Visitors in costume are asked to remember this is a family event
with young children. Costumes should not have massive amounts of
blood, no guts, and no gore. If deemed too over the top, you may
be asked to remove your costume.
It would be great to see the Mason City Parks filled with people
in costume! Everyone can get into the festival spirit. Whether
working, playing, eating or just visiting the festival for the
first time, it would be great to see a sea of fun outfits all
over the parks!
All forms and information can be found on the newly designed
website: www.prairieharvestdays.com or contact Ryan Swaar at
217-414-7137.
Be There or be Scared!
[Misty Bell]
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