Monona Hay Days will have a new location, but offer the same family-friendly fun this Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. Due to construction downtown, events will be based from the Monona City Park.
“Everybody’s excited,” said Josh Ludwig, who heads up the Monona Hay Days Committee. “We like the idea of the park with its natural shade and playground. It’s a good space to work with. It’s a new environment and a fresh take.”
This year’s theme celebrates America’s 250th birthday, so expect “lots of red, white and blue,” Ludwig noted.
Activities will begin Friday, June 12, with a euchre tournament in the community center starting at 6 p.m. The community center remains open during construction, but attendees for this and other Saturday events will have to enter through city hall.
A glo run sponsored by the MFL MarMac cross country team will continue festivities at 9 p.m. Registration will begin at 8 p.m. at the city park.
A movie in the park—Trolls—will follow at 9:30 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy concessions for sale by local organizations.
“The movie is new,” Ludwig said. “We wanted to cater to families and start off with more events.”
On Saturday, June 13, start the day with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Monona Butterfly Gardens and Trails at the community center from 7 to 10 a.m., then head to the parade at 11 a.m. Teresa Graham was selected as this year’s parade grand marshal and Marty and Mary Martinson have been chosen as king and queen.
The parade lineup is at 10 a.m., and floats will be judged at 10:45 a.m. at the Methodist Church. Please note that, due to construction on East Center Street, the parade route will not go downtown this year. While some entries may proceed straight downtown, many will turn onto either East or West Iowa Street instead.
Head to the city park after the parade, where the opening ceremony will begin at noon with the presentation of colors, a performance by the MFL MarMac Dance Team and the crowning of Little Miss Hay Days.
The beer tent, food, games and touch a truck will also open at that time, then the kiddie tractor pull, bean bag tournament and Star Power Dance Team performance are slated for 1 p.m.
The Monona Hay Days “fun zone” will include ring toss, duck pond, fishing pond, cup blaster showdown and football throw games as well as a Nerf battle course, face painting and a clown. There will be four inflatables—two bounce houses, an obstacle course and jousting.
“A big thing this year is a wristband will give access to all the activities without having to keep getting tickets,” Ludwig said. “We have a bunch of new games and two new bounce houses. There’s lots for kids to do.”
Food offerings will include 2 MIT Burgers, Lit House drinks, Jayco Fish, STRKR BBQ, Totally Rolled Ice Cream, Luana Fire Department wings, MFL MarMac High School Volleyball Team charcuterie cups and ice cream and Antonio’s Mexican Grill.
“There’s a good selection and something for everyone,” Ludwig said. “Center Street Bar N’ Grill will be at the park with beer and the bar will also be open to support.”
Later in the afternoon, enjoy music by the band Woodshed Reboot from 2 to 5 p.m. The Monona Fire Department will lead waterball fun at 2:30 p.m., then there is bingo in the community center from 3 to 5 p.m. Barnyard relay races will begin at the park at 4 p.m. and the basket drawing at 5 p.m.
Support the Monona Police Department by taking a turn at the dunk tank from 4 to 6 p.m. Police will also present a live taser demo at 5 p.m. and K-9 Rousey demo at 6 p.m.
Hay Days will conclude withe live music by 2 for the Road from 7 to 10 p.m.
Ludwig noted the only event the committee wasn’t able to pull off due to construction was the tractor pull. Efforts to find an alternate location were unsuccessful. He’s hopeful, though, that it may still be held this summer.
“We’re considering doing it another time and are working out a time and location,” he said.
According to Ludwig, the Monona Hay Days Committee has around seven members. He’s proud of the work they all do to make the community’s annual summertime celebration happen. More volunteers are always welcome, either in organizing, setting up or helping the day of.
Ludwig also credited those who support the event financially.
“The donors help drive the whole thing,” he said.
By working together, Hay Days “brings the community together,” Ludwig reflected.
More details about Monona Hay Days events can be found in the ad in this week’s edition, as well as on the “Monona Hay Days” Facebook page.
