Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Red Rooster Days festivities begin Friday



DASSEL, MN – The 53rd annual Red Rooster Days gets underway Friday with events planned all weekend long through Labor Day.

Added to the festivities this year is the return of a carnival.

The carnival, which will include rides, games, and food, will be located on Atlantic Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets.

Advanced tickets are available through Thursday, Aug. 30 at Dassel City Hall and Farmers State Bank. Cost for advance tickets are $2 each, or 10 for $20; otherwise $3 each, or $25 for 10 during the carnival.

Friday night, families can make their way to the Dassel Ballpark to watch the movie “Chicken Run,” sponsored by the Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday is a jam-packed day of activities starting with the 18-mile bike ride/Rollerblade at 9 a.m. Meet at Breeds Park. There is also a seven-mile ride at 10 a.m.

New this year to Red Rooster Days is the DC Chargers three-on-three basketball tournament, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Crest parking lot located at Simons Avenue and Third Street.

There will be 12 brackets, with teams made up of boys and girls grades four through 12, as well as adults. Proceeds will benefit youth sports in the Dassel-Cokato area.

Come with a team that day or register online at www.dcchargers3on3.com. Cost is $50 per team with prizes for top teams. Spectators are also welcome, and concessions will be available.

At 3 p.m., the parade, which has been getting larger each year, begins. This year, there are expected to be 140 units, making it the second-largest parade in Meeker County, according to Wayne Medcraft, parade chair.

Watch the crowning of the new ambassadors at the DC Performing Arts Center starting at 7 p.m. There are six candidates this year (read profiles inside).

Then, head to town to Thirsty’s Tavern for a street dance featuring the county rock band Wobble Box. Gates open at 8 p.m. The $2 cover charge benefits the Dassel Area Chamber of Commerce activities.

Sunday’s events begin with an ecumenical community worship service at 10:30 a.m. at Dassel Evangelical Covenant Church.

In the afternoon, a crowd will gather to watch the Minnesota Minn-E-Rods on Atlantic Avenue, starting at 2 p.m.

Sunday’s events culminate with fireworks at dusk (around 9:30 p.m.) from Spring Lake Park.

Monday’s highlight is the largest chicken barbecue in the state, with serving from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (or until sold out) at Dassel Ballpark. For $8 a plate, one will receive a half-chicken dinner.

Advance sale tickets are available at Red Rooster Foods, Ron’s BP, Third Street Cafe, Thirsty’s Tavern, and Peterson Pharmacy.

The golden egg hunt is also Monday starting at 10:30 a.m. at the ballpark, where one can search for eight golden eggs that have been hidden around the park by the newly crowned ambassadors.

This is a return to tradition with the eggs being hidden on Labor Day, explained Connie Walters, Red Rooster committee chair.

The hunt is open to all ages, and for each egg retrieved, there is a $10 reward.

There will be a number of other events at the ball park Monday including a car and antique tractor show, concessions, inflatables, musical entertainment, beer garden, and kids pedal tractor pull at 1 p.m.

See the full schedule for other events during Red Rooster Days.

Volunteers are still needed to help in the barbecue pits. Call Paul Holm at (320) 275-4562, to be assigned a shift. For information about concessions, call Terri at city hall, (320) 275-2454.

Click here for the full schedule.





























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