Let the Centennial celebration begin

SPIRIT LAKE – Spirit Lake’s Centennial Celebration begins tonight.

Tickets are still available for a wine tasting and auction, which begin at 6 p.m. in the little park downtown. The $20 ticket includes a commemorative Centennial wine glass and entertainment by Spirit Lake’s own Bill Parsons on the piano.

Friday kicks off four days of activities at City Park, with food booths and vendors each day, along with mountain men and muzzleloaders, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, blacksmithing and a display of antique gas engines.

Live music begins at 10 a.m. Friday and continues into the evening, with a concert and dance to country and rock music by Shayne Edwards and RattleTrap from 6 to 9 p.m.

A pancake breakfast is set for 7 a.m. Saturday, followed by mountain bike rides. Organizer Marc Kroetch said there is room for a few more bikers. Call 623-5130 for information.

Music begins at 10 a.m. in the park and continues throughout the day. Another concert and dance is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. with Wyzer playing classic rock.

There will be storytelling under the main tent in City Park from 11 a.m. to noon, teepee decorating and a drum circle from noon to 2 p.m., and lawn mower drag races on Maine Street from 2 to 3 p.m.

More music is planned Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, with a concert and dance again from 6 to 9 p.m.

Monday is the town’s Labor Day parade on Maine Street at 11 a.m. Several races and games are planned at City Park beginning at noon and Brad Sondahl and the Jimmy Brown Band will take the stage at 1 p.m.

The celebration draws to a close at 4 p.m.

After months of planning, Kroetch said the Centennial Committee is ready.

“We’ve worked hard,” he said. “It will be what it will be. Bring on the folks.”

For information, call City Hall at 623-2131.