A weekend, plus a bonus day, of family friendly fun is on tap in Hay Springs on August 21 - 24.
The 98th annual Friendly Festival is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 21 and will run through Sunday, August 24 with events all throughout.
“For 98 years, the Friendly Festival has brought our community together for a weekend of fun, connection, and homecoming,” said Jessica Heesacker, Hay Springs Chamber of Commerce President.
The schedule for the four days is available on the Hay Springs Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Also, advertising will be placed in local media outlets as well so everyone can plan their weekend.
To kick the weekend off, how about taking your chances against a pig in the mud? The Pig Wrestling event at Young’s Repair has that box checked for you. After being out of rotation for a few years, the fun in the mud will kick off the festivities on Thursday.
“Pig wrestling is making its return to the Friendly Festival this year, kicking off Thursday evening at Young’s Repair,” said Jessica Heesacker, Hay Springs Chamber of Commerce President.
“While it’s not entirely new, it has been quite a while since we’ve had it and we are excited to bring back this crowd favorite,” she added.
On Friday, you can enjoy bull riding at the Outlaw Saloon and Julie’s Hay Town Grill will open to serve food on Main Street.
The Greene Machine Band will be performing at Sacker’s on Friday evening as well.
Kick off your morning on Saturday with the 5K Run-Walk or the Fly-In Breakfast, both beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The Parade is also scheduled as always and will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22.
The theme for this year is “Neighbors, Not Strangers” and the route will remain the same through Main Street.
The Cornhole Tournament will take place following the Parade, along with the Vendor Fair.
There will be over 30 vendors joining the Festival and will be offering food, drink, dessert, retail options, and so much more.
To cap off the eventful day on Saturday, get your lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the Fireworks Show which is presented Jancik Discount Fireworks and the Glenn Muhr family.
On Sunday, head on out to the Golf Course for the 3-Person scramble or join the Church Service in Sunset Park at 8:30 a.m.
The weekend will close with open swimming at the Hay Springs Pool for all to cool off after the eventful weekend.
The hard work behind the scenes, including planning, building, and scheduling, is all done by volunteers and members of the Hay Springs community and surrounding areas.
This fact is not lost with Heesacker, along with many others, who dedicate a lot of hours into making everything run as smoothly as possible.
“This event would not happen without our sponsors and volunteers,” said Heesacker.
“Back in 1927, the Festival cost about $150 to put on. Today, those expenses have grown to over $15,000. While we fund raise throughout the year, our sponsors and the many volunteers who donate their time are what truly make the Friendly Festival happen.”
So clear your schedules for August 21 - 24 and get to Hay Springs to get in on the action of the 98th annual Friendly Festival.
“The Friendly Festival succeeds year after year because it reflects the heart of Hay Springs—a community that works hard, takes pride in its agricultural roots, and values coming together,”said Heesacker.
“For nearly a century, neighbors, friends, and families have gathered to reconnect, celebrate, and simply enjoy themselves. The Festival offers something for everyone, but it’s the welcoming spirit of the people here that makes it unforgettable and keeps folks coming back year after year”.