Hammond Heartland Days events planned this weekend

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Hammond residents are getting prepared to celebrate living in the heartland.

Hammond’s annual Heartland Days celebration will be Aug. 6-9 this year. A full weekend of events, music and activities for all ages are planned.

Thursday

Instead of using Thursday as a warm-up to the weekend, the Hammond Lions have a full schedule of events.

The area garage sales start on Thursday. Maps are available at Associated Bank, Bob and Steve’s Amoco and the Village Hall.

The always-popular appreciation dinner, sponsored by Associated Bank, will start serving dinner at 5 p.m. under the tent at the Village Park, on Klein Drive. A pie and ice cream social starts just in time for dessert at 5:30 p.m.

The St. Croix Central Bifocal Band will entertain the crowd under the tent, while the Wisconsin State Kids’ Pedal Pull revs up nearby. Kids ages 6-12 can pull in five different classes. Registration is at 6 p.m., with the pull starting at 6:30 p.m.

A baby show, for children age newborn to 12 months, will start at 6:45 p.m. Call Lori at 651-494-4473 to pre-register, which is required.

At 7 p.m., seven girls from the Hammond area will compete for the crown of Miss Hammond 2009. The pageant is in the middle school, 1295 Vine St. Cost is $4.

Live music will be provided by local band Trigger Happy from 7-11 p.m. in the Village Park. The show is free.

Friday

Tournaments of all kinds kick off on Friday, including softball, bean bags, darts and tippy cup.

An art show, Common Ground, will open from 5-9 p.m. at Stone Soup, 1025 Davis St. The show, featuring eight area artist, will run through Sunday.

Carnival games for the kids will be at the library from 6-8 p.m. at the Hammond Community Library, 850 Davis St. A bean bag tournament for all ages will also kick off at the Village Park.

Entertainment continues through the night with live music at the Village Park featuring Round 2 and Johnny Holm Band. Cover charge is $5 starting at 7:30 p.m.

Oscar the Mechanical Bull will buck and turn for the entertainment of riders and observers alike at 8 p.m.

Saturday

Saturday brings out the classic cars for the 22nd Annual United Fire and Rescue Car Show, starting at 8 a.m.

Breakfast will be served at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1250 Broadway St., from 7-11 a.m.

The Panther Pant 5K run/walk gets underway at 8:30 a.m. behind the fire station.

A craft fair and book sale will keep shoppers happy on Davis Street from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. A talent show and stuffed animal show will walk the runway at the Hammond Community Library at noon. The Little Miss Hammond pageant will be at 6 p.m. at the Village Park.

“New” this year is Bingo under the big tent, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 2 p.m.

Saturday also brings the return of Championship Series Tractor Pull on Fithian Street at 6 p.m. Last year’s success in the return of the tractor pull brought it back this year. The pull is sponsored by the Village of Hammond, all proceeds will go toward enhancement projects in the village. Admission is $5 for adults, 12 and younger are free.

Live music by New Skinny and G.B. Leighton will go from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. in the Village Park. Cover charge is $5 starting at 7:30 p.m.

The always-popular fireworks show will begin at dusk.

Sunday

Hammond Heartland Days doesn’t slow down for Sunday.

The grand parade will travel down Davis Street ending by Loparex, starting at 12:30 p.m. There will be between 100-120 entries in the parade.

The Championship Series Truck Pull, new this year, follows at 2 p.m. on Fithian Street. Admission is $5 for adults, 12 and under are free. Proceeds go to village improvement projects.

For a little quieter entertainment, kids games with Auggie the Clown begin at 2 p.m. in the Village Park. There will be a jumping castle, petting zoo and pony rides.

The Dweebs will grace the stage from 2-5 p.m. in the Village Park. The show is free.

To find out about other Hammond Heartland Days events, visit www.heartlanddays.com. The Hammond Lions help sponsor and organize the event.

Tags: hammond heartland days, communities, hammond