Wauneta’s ‘23 Harvest Fest starts Thursday

It takes a village.
Both literally and figuratively in the case of Wauneta’s 2023 Harvest Fest.
Organizers chose the theme “It Takes a Village” and have chosen the Wauneta Public Library as the grand marshal of this year’s parade.
Events begin Thursday with a sloppy joe feed at the Wauneta Senior Center from 5-6:30 p.m. The Wauneta-Palisade cheerleaders will also be selling pulled pork sandwiches at the baseball field starting at 6 p.m., the same time the co-ed softball game begins. Pickleball will be going on at the tennis courts from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and night swimming will take place from 7-11 p.m.
Activities will be going on from morning to night Friday. The Wauneta Chamber Farmers Market will run from 9-11 a.m. followed by the Wauneta EMS lunch fundraiser from 11 a.m. to noon. Both will be under the Harchelroad Ag awning.
The park and swimming pool will be busy throughout the afternoon. Regular swim is from 1-3 p.m. Pool games will be from 3-5 p.m. Starting at 4:30 activities will be happening in the park, beginning with ice cream sundaes by the WP cheerleaders at 4:30 p.m. and walking tacos by the WP volleyball team from 5-7 p.m.  
The third annual Galen Todd Cornhole Tournament at the tennis courts will start at 5 p.m., the same time as the free kids games and free music in the park.
Saturday events start bright and early with the Yucca Run at 7:30 a.m. and Fun Run at 8 a.m.
The BWTelcom courtesy breakfast will be from 7-9 a.m. at the BWTelcom shop.
The Wauneta Volunteer Fire Department Smoke Off begins at 9 a.m. before the parade starts at 10 a.m.
Activities at 11 a.m. include the Poker Walk starting at Harchelroad Ag, the HomeTown Agency Courtesy Lunch at the BWTelcom shop, kids games on main street and the car show under the Harchelroad Ag awning.
Main street will be wet and wild at noon with the WVFD water fights and the WP Junior High Girls Dunk Tank.
The Cody Fanning Memorial Horseshoe Tournament starts at 1 p.m., while free swimming at the pool goes from 1-4 p.m.
The west river bridge will see the WP FFA Duck Races start at 2 p.m. and the HFC River Raft Races begin at 3 p.m.
At 5 p.m. will be the sand volleyball tournament.
Festivities wrap up Sunday with lunch at the Wauneta Senior Center from 11 a.m. to noon.
The Kenny Smith Memorial Ranch Rodeo and Barrel Racing at Smith Arena begins at 2 p.m.