South Haven will celebrate its small but robust city on Saturday, July 29. Everyone’s invited to come to South Haven for all of the activities that are scheduled for the day. You can come for breakfast and stay for the parade, view the cars at the car show as you enjoy the music and all of the displays. Come and spend the day with us!
■ The South Haven Festival activities will begin with something new this year a pancake breakfast starting at 7 a.m. located at the city hall, it will be sponsored by the South Haven Firemen Auxiliary. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, apple juice, milk and coffee.
■ There will be Sidewalk Chalk Art for the children outside of the city hall from 9 to 10 a.m. with South Haven’s own local artist assisting them with their drawing. The children can express themselves outside on the side walk while their parents enjoy their second cup of coffee inside.
■ There will be several displays set up inside of the city hall this year. The Great River Rail Modular Group from St. Cloud will have a display of their model trains at the City Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come and enjoy the model train display and ask questions about the trains and their organization. There will also be a history display of South Haven, local historian Marilyn Gordon will have many items of interest to show and she’ll be willing to answer your questions about the town’s history.
■ The parade will start a half hour earlier this year at 10:30 a.m. with line up at 10 a.m. on the west side of town. There’s no need to sign up, just decorate a float, your car, a bike and be there to line up. After you’ve enjoyed the parade, walk or drive on over to Zion United Methodist Church for the car show and other family activities! There’s plenty of parking available at 450 Fairhaven Avenue and on the street.
■ Do you enjoy the game of Polish horseshoes? Get your team together and sign up at the Bedrock Bar and Grill. The teams will gather at 11 a.m. at Railroad Park for an afternoon of competing against the other teams.
■ The Fair Haven Ambassadors will have a lunch stand set up outside from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. after your lunch, you’ll be able to have your dessert of pie and ice cream with a free cup of coffee inside sponsored by Zion United Methodist Church. There’ll also be whole fruit pies for sale to take home. There’ll be free coffee, Lemonade and Ice Water available for you.
■ The Car Show sponsored by Mom’s Place is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the grassy area on the east side of the parking lot. There’s no advanced registration necessary or fee, just bring your vehicle the day of the show, the door prizes and trophies will be awarded at 1:30 p.m. The firemen will have one of their Fire Trucks available for you to view and for the children to climb on. They will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the truck or the fire department.
■ Children’s games will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on the west side of the church building. There is a small charge for the games, and every child receives a prize.
■ Home vendors (non-food) and crafts are welcome to come and set up on the east side of the building. You may view their products from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There’s no fee and there’s no advanced registration, but if you’ve had a profitable day a donation would be appreciated to our South Haven Festival Fund. If you have any questions, you may contact Shirley at 320-253-7816 or email spramann52@gmail.com. You may start setting up your display any time after 9 a.m.
■ The Route 55 Jazz Band will be playing from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. They’ll be performing for your enjoyment on the east side of the church building, bring a chair or blanket to sit on while you listen to their music or as you walk around the car show.
■ Another new event this year will be the Pedal Tractor Pull sponsored by the South Haven Fire Department located on the south side of the city hall. This event for children under 12 will begin at Noon. While your child is waiting his turn or after their finished at the tractor pull they can explore the S&H Pine Car Races from noon to 2 p.m. in the park beside the post sffice. They will be set up to make and decorate a car for yourself and then to race the car to see how fast it’ll go.
■ Are you a fan of bingo? This year there will be Bingo from 1 to 4 p.m. so if you enjoy a good game of bingo be at the city hall at 1 p.m.!
■ The Bedrock Bar and Grill is sponsoring a band from 4 to 8 p.m. They will be set up outside under the trees behind the bar and grill. You can take time to listen to the music, do a little dancing and enjoy some good food.
Parade entries, crafters and non food vendors, all are welcome, no sign up is necessary, just come. If you’re a business or an organization what better way is there to advertise and to be proud of your community than to enter a unit in the parade!
The South Haven Festival is where you can meet and greet your neighbors in and around town.