WAUKON DAYS CELEBRATES AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE; DRAWS COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN SPIRIT OF TRADITION

When one thinks of summer in Allamakee County, one may envision farmers tending their alfalfa crops amidst acres of deep green stalks growing tall in their fields; the crack of a softball as it meets with the swing of a Louisville Slugger and the enthusiasm of a small-town crowd in the bleachers; the unmistakable smell of a barbecue; or carnival rides and cotton candy.
All are tradition, and in keeping with that is the annual Waukon Days event, a continuation of the long-standing Threshing Days celebration that has, for decades, been a pinnacle event in Waukon, drawing crowds from afar. The idea behind it is simple, yet unwavering - to celebrate the heritage and history of this agricultural area.
Kicking off this year's festivities will be a Corn Days feast set in the heart of Waukon. Thursday, Aug. 3, the community can join in downtown Waukon for an evening of conversation shared over bushels of free sweet corn. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce will host the event, planned to begin at 4:30 p.m. on West Street, between the bakery and Waukon State Bank.
Friday night, Aug. 4, the Tri-State Modified Truck and Tractor Pull will have spectators rumbling in their seats at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds grandstands. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and accompany an effort of the Waukon Fire Department to raise funds for Wayne Howe. Proceeds from concession stand sales earned throughout the weekend, as well as those from the firemen's pancake breakfast planned Sunday, Aug. 6, from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Waukon Fire Station, will help with medical and related bills.
Just prior to the tractor pull, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will be a Jr. King and Queen pageant at the fairgrounds pavilion. The Waukon Jaycees will host the event.
Saturday, Aug. 5, events will begin at 6:30 a.m. with a 5K Run/Walk, planned to begin in the city park and sponsored by the Jaycees. Beginning at 1 p.m. in the grandstands will be an event of the Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin Horse Pullers Association. Steam-powered threshing, sawing, horse bailer, and heritage craft demonstrations will continue throughout the day at various sites within the fairgrounds area. Other events will include a softball tournament, County Cousins Critters Petting Zoo, children's carnival, and new to this year's event, a soap box derby.
That evening, "The Toe Tappers" will provide musical entertainment for a barn dance at the fairgrounds pavilion, planned from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The fairgrounds grandstand at 8 p.m. will play host to a dance with a rock-country mix of music by "Common Ground" of Clarksville, an event hosted by the Jaycees. In the 4-H building will be a contest of the World National Wristwrestling Association, also new to this year's lineup.
And finally, drawing the weekend's festivities to a close will be a grand parade Sunday, Aug. 6, beginning at 12:30 p.m. and keeping with the "country style" theme of this year's Waukon Days celebration. This year's route will begin from the fairgrounds, travel south on Allamakee Street, turn right on Main Street, then continue to Fifth Avenue NW, where it will again turn right onto Eighth Avenue NW, completing a square. The route is unchanged from last year and will, according to coordinators, feature between 150 and 200 entries.
Following the event, parade-goers can then join in the fairgrounds for a Fiddlers Jamboree in the pavilion or the Tri-County Mini-Rod Pullers to compete in the grandstands. Traditional demonstrations will also continue throughout the day.
Given the heavy weekend schedule, one can plainly see that the Waukon Days committee has, once again, planned a celebration that will peak the interests of all who participate. Important to note, however, is the manpower necessary to make the organization and implementation of these events possible and successful. Support of the entire community, either in volunteer hours or monetary donations, is necessary for the continuation of this traditional summer heritage festival.
Donations can be made by purchasing a Waukon Days button at one of several local businesses, or by sponsoring a parade float.
Volunteers may also offer their time to help attend to parking throughout the weekend, set-up events, organize parade entries, or clean-up the fairgrounds following the weekend's events.
"We need a base of about 100 volunteers to pull off the weekend's activities," says Mary Jo Goodman, one of three co-chairs of this year's Waukon Days event. "The continuation of this traditional celebration is important to this community, and with the help of community members in organizing and seeing through activities, start to finish, we can make that happen."
For more information or to volunteer, contact Mary Jo Goodman or Brian Mahoney at Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank at 568-3417.