Posted: 6/26/07
Eitzenís Fourth of July celebration will be jam-packed with activities
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Even though July 4th lands smack dab in the middle of the week this year, and doesnít allow for a three-day holiday weekend, the folks organizing Eitzenís annual Fourth of July celebration have planned a two-day event filled with activities next Tuesday and Wednesday, July 3 and 4.
Some of the highlights of the two-day event include the NTPA Sanctioned truck and tractor pull, two demolition derbies, the grand parade, the Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8 Budweiser NASCAR on display, and the annual J&M Fireworks Display.
Tuesdayís events
The Eitzen Lionís Fourth of July Family Fun Fest gets underway July 3 at 5 p.m. when the beer garden, food stands, and the flea market all open up for business.
The menís softball tournament begins at 6 p.m.
The NTPA State truck and tractor pull, voted "Minnesota Pull of the Year," begins at 7 p.m. The event will include modified tractors, two and four-wheel drive truck classes, heavy super stock and super farm tractor classes.
Musical entertainment begins at 9 p.m. near the beer garden with "Thoroughbred" DJ and karaoke.
A homerun hitting contest will follow the last softball game Tuesday night.
Wednesdayís events
Breakfast will be served bright and early, beginning at 7 a.m. until 9:30.
The menís softball tournament continues at 8 a.m.
The flea market opens at 8:30 a.m., as does the co-ed volleyball tournament.
The pedal pull, which will be held near the new fire department building, will begin at 9 a.m.
The beer garden opens at 9 a.m., and the food stand opens at 10.
The charcoal chicken dinner will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Center.
A number of activities for the kids will take place near the new fire department building, beginning at 11 a.m. They include free face painting by Twinkle and Hugs, a magic show, balloon animals and games.
The kiddie parade will precede the Grand Parade, which begins at noon.
Kaptain Kirby will be providing train rides for the kids following the parade.
The demolition derby for full size stock, modified and compact cars will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Adult supervised kids games will begin at 2:30 p.m. behind the Capacitor Association Building.
CW Von Arx and the Highway 3 Band will perform from 3 to 6 p.m. near the beer garden.
A sawdust money dig for the kids will take place near the food stand at 4 p.m.
The menís championship softball game begins at 5 p.m.
Music will be provided by "Karaoke by Fordyce Brevig" beginning at 6 p.m. near the beer garden.
The combine, pickup and mini van demolition derbies will get underway at 7 p.m.
The raffle drawing will be held at 9:30 p.m. with the fireworks by J&M Display to begin at 10 p.m.
No carry-in beverages, personal fireworks, or underage drinking will be allowed. An information booth will be on the fest grounds, or persons can call Milt at (507) 495-3107 for more information or to enter events.
The Eitzen Lions have announced that Ardell Lien will participate in their Fourth of July celebration in Eitzen. Lien and his 27-ft. sail boat, the Catalyst, will appear in the grand parade.
Lien, 71, circumnavigated the globe in his boat just three years after receiving a heart and kidney transplant. He departed from San Diego on May 7, 2005, and returned on October 19, 2006. He returned to the area midway through his journey so that he could get a required physical. He made the trip to raise awareness of the need for organ donation.
Following the parade, the boat will be on display and Lien will answer questions about his experience at sea and his life-saving transplant.
Here are several facts about the journey:
Total days at sea: 328
Number of stops: 19
Total miles: 31,110
Average speed: 4.6 knots
The parade begins at noon.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com