Ox Cart Days gets underway

• Dinner

The chicken and brat dinners were served up by volunteers with the New Richmond Ambulance Service and the Star Prairie Lion's Club.
• Trigger Happy

Trigger Happy played in front of a good crowd on the opening night of Ox Carts Days, Thursday.

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Star Prairie is getting ready for the annual Ox Cart Days Aug. 18-21.

The event, held mostly at the Star Prairie Ball Park, features several family-friendly events and nightly entertainment.

The event began Thursday, Aug. 18, with a Party in the Park – a dinner and music event to support the local ambulance service.

The party was sponsored by the New Richmond Area Ambulance Service and Star Prairie Lions Club and featured a dinner of chicken, beans, corn on the cob, roll, brats, hot dogs, pop, water and beer. A performance by Trigger Happy began at 6 p.m.

The celebration will continue Friday, Aug. 19, when the fast pitch softball tournament begins.

Although it’s not affiliated with Ox Cart Days, Bethany Lutheran Church, 415 Bridge Ave., will host a non-alcoholic Fun-Together on Friday, Aug. 19. The event will be held from 6-10 p.m. and will feature food, kid’s activities and the band Retro Phonic.

The Ox Cart Days schedule is as follows:

Thursday:

5:30 p.m. Party in the Park

6 p.m. Performance by Trigger Happy

Friday:

6 p.m. Fast pitch softball tournament

7 p.m. Bingo

8:30 p.m. Street dance featuring The Dweebs

Saturday:

8 a.m. Fast pitch softball tournament; Fun Run/Walk 5K and 10K at Star Prairie Ball Park

10 a.m. Vendor craft sale begins

11 a.m. Bean Bag tournament

1 p.m. Canoe race

2 p.m. Kid’s games; classic car show at Community Center on Bridge Avenue

4 p.m. Rubber duck race – kid’s division

4:30 p.m. Rubber duck race at River Island Park

6 p.m. Bingo

7 p.m. Street dance featuring Last Page

9 p.m. Street dance featuring Toybox

Sunday:

8 a.m. Pancake breakfast in the bingo building; fast pitch softball tournament

9 a.m. Church service at the ball park

11 a.m. Queen’s tea at River Island Park

1:30 p.m. Kiddie parade

2 p.m. Grand parade

4 p.m. Pie and ice cream social

4:30 p.m. Queen coronation followed by bingo

7 p.m. Grand prize raffle drawing

Event-goers and village residents should note that a portion of Highway 65, County Road H and County Road M will be closed on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 1:15-3:15 p.m. to make way for the parade. A detour will be set up and signs will be erected to help motorists navigate.

Tags: star prairie, area news, lifestyle, entertainment, celebrations