Athol Daze honors 99 years
Athol Daze are here again with a bigger, better lineup of entertainment. Saturday, Aug. 9, marks the 99th year that Athol has been a city. Born in 1909, Athol is one year younger than her neighbor Spirit Lake, which is holding its centennial this year. Big things are in store for the Athol celebration.
Featured as the No. 1 accomplishment in Athol is the enhancement of City Park from a vacant lot to a major league playground. Built mostly with donations and grants, this park features a skateboard park that cost over $20,000 and, the newest attraction, a play station built with a $26,000 grant from Trans-Canada Pipeline. The first of many children were seen cavorting on, in and about the newest attraction on July 23, the day it was finished. Washed gravel a foot thick covers the area of the slides and ladders to cushion any falls.
Starting off the activities for Athol Daze will be a parade through town ending at the park. Lineup for the parade is at 9 a.m., with the parade starting at 10 a.m. Entrants for the parade or for booths for the park must register with City Hall at 683-2101.
The parade will start behind the school on Davis Lane, turn left onto Highway 54 then left again at City Hall to the park. Awards for parade entries will be given around 11 a.m., following the finish. Some events at the park are yet to be determined, but Money in the Straw, which was a great success last year, will be first after the parade. This event will be open to kids from 1 to 12 in different age groups. Metal detectors are prohibited, as well as parental assistance.
Various contests, such as watermelon- and pie-eating contests, are also planned. Booths with food and games will abound throughout the park. The annual benefit auction will be held at noon and is expected to last until around 1:30 p.m. Music will be performed by the Bell Family from 1:30 through 4 p.m. with a break in between. The Bells may be the most talented musical family in the area. The annual cakewalk will be at 2 p.m. A piñata will be assaulted sometime during the festivities with children flocking to the resulting cascade of candy.
Some events are still in the planning stage and may not appear. Others not mentioned might pop up. Many other children’s games will be played throughout the day, with everything winding up around 4 p.m. Following the festivities in the park, the American Legion, Post 149, will host a jam session under the gazebo in back of the club starting at 4 p.m. All musicians are invited. Your host will be the irrepressible Jeanne and the Good Time Party Boys. Last year the legion sponsored an old-timers jam that was a huge success.
Down the street in Bayview, Cary Fly performs this Friday and Saturday night at the Captain’s Wheel, previewing their show on the Farragut Stage next week.