Posted: 7/24/07
Hoedown is this weekend
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Thereís something for kids of all ages planned for Houston Hoedown Days 2007. The three-day event, dubbed "One of Minnesotaís Top Small Town Celebrations," runs July 27 - 29.
One of the highlights of this yearís celebration will be the unveiling of the Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Memorial. (See accompanying story).
The first-ever public display of the memorial kicks off Hoedown Days 2007 Friday when it arrives in Houston around noon. It will be accompanied by a military caisson bearing a flag-draped casket, a police escort, and 1,000 bikers who belong to the Minnesota Chapter of Patriot Guard. The tomb and caisson will be on display at Trailhead Park until Sunday at 4 p.m.
Kidsí events
A number of events have been scheduled for the youngsters during the weekend. They include:
Kiddie parade-
The "Kiddie Parade" is the first organized event of the three day Hoedown celebration. It begins at 3 p.m. Friday on Maple Street.
Pedal Tractor Pull-
The "tractor pullers" of the future practice their skills at City Park, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Kiddie Games-
A variety of "kiddie games" will be at the elementary school playground throughout the weekend, and magic shows will be presented in the City Park Friday beginning at 3 p.m., and both Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.
Soap Box Derby-
The Soap Box Derby is a thrill for both the participants and their parents. On homemade vehicles, the drivers gain speed as they cruise down the steepest hill in Houston on South Grant Street. The derby will be held Saturday at 10 a.m., with registration at 9:30.
Pulling competitions
Hoedown Days includes a number of different pulling events throughout the weekend, ranging from garden tractors, to horses, to modified tractors.
The garden tractor pull will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Fest Grounds.
Two tractor pulls are scheduled for Saturday at the Fest Grounds. The stock tractor pull will begin at 11 a.m., with the modified tractor pull slated for 7 p.m.
The 31st Annual Minnesota State Championship Horse pull will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Fest Grounds.
Also at 1:30 Sunday afternoon, ATV drag races are scheduled on the west end of town.
Grand Parade
A community celebration just wouldnít be complete without a parade, and the 2007 Hoedown Parade promises to be one you wonít forget. Event organizers have well over 100 units lined up for the Sunday noon parade.
Sporting events
A number of competitions have been scheduled for athletes of all ages.
Early in the morning and under the lights, teams from as far away as the Twin Cities compete in the annual Hoedown Softball Tournament. The location is the high school athletic field, with action beginning Friday evening at 6, and both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 a.m.
A horseshoe tournament will be held Saturday beginning at noon and again Sunday at 1 p.m. at City Park.
The Lions Club will be sponsoring a mini golf tournament, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at City Park.
Plenty to eat
Folks attending Hoedown Days should find plenty to eat and drink. Besides the various eat stands one finds at a community celebration, a number of "culinary events" have been scheduled.
The Beer Barn, located in the Fest Grounds, will be serving up ice cold beverages Friday beginning at 4 p.m., Saturday, at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
A pancake breakfast will be held both Saturday and Sunday mornings, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Community Center.
A pork meal will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at City park.
A pie and ice cream social will be held at City Park on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and again Sunday at noon.
The Boy Scouts chicken fry will be held Sunday morning beginning at 10:30 at City Park.
Music events
Houston Hoedown Days is full of music each year, and 2007 is no different from previous years. Musical performances include:
ïUnion Station- 9 p.m. Friday- Fest Grounds ;
ïCommunity Band- 5:30 p.m. Saturday- City park;
ïTop Notchmen- 7 p.m. Saturday- Community Center;
ïVirginia Dare- 9 p.m. Saturday- Fests Grounds;
ïMusical Jamboree- 1:30 p.m. Sunday- City Park;
ïJohn Bernadotte- 1:30 p.m. Sunday- Fest Grounds;
ïKaraoke by Ford Brevig- 4 p.m. Sunday- Fest Grounds;
ïTroubleshooter- 8 p.m. Sunday- Fest Grounds.
This is just an overview of the more than 50 different events scheduled for Houston Hoedown Days 2007. For the complete schedule of events, see page ___.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com