Plan ahead for Wauneta’s Harvest Fest, July 28-31

With only a week until the first day of Wauneta’s Harvest Fest, the final pieces are falling into place.
“Everything seems to be ready to go,” organizer Mandi Kramer said.
Wauneta-Palisade FFA has been selected as the grand marshal for the parade on Saturday, July 30. The theme of the weekend is Growing Our Future.
Kramer said WP FFA was selected as grand marshal because of the leadership they have shown and their dedication to improving the community.
Saturday will be the busiest day of festivities, starting with the 3K and 5K Yucca Runs at 7 a.m. and running through free music in the park by Night Sounds beginning at 7 p.m. that evening.
The hours in between are chock full of activities.
The BWTelcom courtesy breakfast will run 7-9 a.m. Following the 10 a.m. parade will be a host of activities starting at 11 a.m., including the Poker Walk at Harchelroad Motors, kids games at Sandhills State Bank, the Wauneta EMS Open House and the car show at Harchelroads.
The HomeTown Agency courtesy lunch will be from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Wauneta Volunteer Fire Department is bringing back water fights. Those will start at noon, as will the WP cheerleaders’ dunk tank. Both will be on Main Street.
The Cody Fanning Horseshoe Tournament will start at 1 p.m. by the football field. Contact Jo Fanning with questions, 308-350-5374.
Also starting at 1 p.m. and running until 4 p.m. will be free swimming at the pool.
At 2 p.m. will be the WP FFA Duck Race at the river, and the HFC River Raft Race will follow at 3 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded between raft race winners: any contestant able to raft from bridge to bridge, the best looking boat and the boat most likely to succeed.
Sand volleyball will begin at the park at 5 p.m. Contact Dakota West, 308-289-4883, to enter a team.
Kids can enjoy a scavenger hunt at the ball field beginning at 5 p.m. as well.
The 7th annual Harvest Fest Smoke-Off sponsored by WVFD will go on throughout the day. Contact Jeremy Walgren with questions, 308-737-7764.
Events begin Thursday
Harvest Fest kicks off the evening of Thursday, July 28, with sloppy Joes at the Senior Center running from 5-6:30 p.m.
Pick-up co-ed softball at the ball field will begin at 6 p.m.
For those not inclined to play softball, pickleball at the tennis courts will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Night swim will be from 7-11 p.m.
Meadowlark Lane will officially open for business July 29 at 7 a.m.
That Friday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. will be pool games at the swimming pool.
The WP cheerleaders will serve ice cream sundaes beginning at 4:30. People looking for a meal can enjoy walking tacos served by the WP volleyball team from 5-7 p.m.
Friday evening will also include the Galen Todd Cornhole Tourney beginning at 5 p.m. on the tennis courts.
A craft show will run in the park from 5-8 p.m. Laser tag and a bounce house will also be set up in the park from 5-9 p.m.
Activities will wrap up Sunday.
After Sunday dinner from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Senior Center, the ranch rodeo and barrel racing at Smith Arena will begin at 2 p.m.
Food vendors throughout the weekend include Sprockets Famous Freedom Dogs, Taqueria Alexa and Meadowlark Lane.