File photos
The annual sand castle building contest at Town Lake is a big draw for friends and families. 

Frazee to host 67th annual event which begins Thursday

By Barbie Porter

Editor

The 67th Annual Turkey Days, Double the Fun in ‘21, has arrived and fun events are planned all week long.

The Turkey Days events begin on Thursday, July 22 and includes bingo at the Frazee Care Center starting at 2:30 p.m. 

From 4:30-8:30 p.m. the VFW is offering a patio party with DJ Damian D.

The opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at Little Turkey Park on the corner of Main Avenue and Lake Street. After Turkey Days chairs Kendal Ware and Lynea Krejce give the official kick-off, history walking tours will be offered in the downtown area. 

From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the VFW is hosting a night of fun for those 21 and older. 

Friday, July 23  Friday fun begins at 1 p.m. with an old-time dance at the Frazee Event Center. The $5 admittance provides fun until 4 p.m. as Eric’s Dance Band performs a variety of songs for the classic dances. Food will also be available.

At 2 p.m. the sand castle contest begins at Town Lake. A lot of beach sand is brought in for the event and put in piles. Each two person team of one adult and one child younger than 12 can mold the mound of sand into whatever creation their imagination invents. In the past, people have brought trinkets or accessories to enhance the sand artwork that has included a shark, turtle, couch with a dog and traditional castles.

At 6 p.m. event goers have two choices. Family Night will be held at Harvest Church, which includes outdoor inflatables, games and a movie at dusk (bring chairs). Concessions will also be available for the movie night. 

Also at 6 p.m. will be a variety show at Frazee High School football field. People will offer up their best talents on the stage. To attend the cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and those 5 and younger get in free. 

The baby crawl race is guaranteed to provide smiles and laughter.

At 7 p.m., pizza, pitchers and puzzles will be held at the VFW. The cost to enter a four-person team is $80 and is for those 21 and older. Pre-registration is required, call (701) 552-1429.

At 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. the VFW parking lot party will be held. The Get Over It Band will be playing for those 21 and older.

Saturday, July 24

Saturday has a lot of events happening. The fun starts at 8 a.m. with the annual Dolores Smith Memorial Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk. Participants should meet at Riverside Park with registration at 6:30 a.m. Registration is $20.

From 7:30-10:30 a.m. biscuits and gravy will be served at the Frazee Event Center. The cost is $6 and those 5 years old and younger eat free. There will be a to-go option available as well.

The street fair will also provide a variety of vendors on Main Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kicking off at 8 a.m. is an hour long fishing contest at Frazee Town Lake. Ages 1-7 and 8-15 are invited to compete. Bait will be provided, but participants should bring their own pole.

At 10 a.m. the junior king and queen contest will be held at the high school gym. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and is open to those 6-year-old and younger.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show will be held in the parking lot across from the Frazee High School. Registration will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Entry fees are $15 per vehicle. Trophies will be presented at 2:30 p.m.

At 10:30 a.m. the Turkey Crawl will begin at the high school gym. To register a baby show up between 10-10:15 a.m.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. cotton candy will be available at the Chic Shed on Main Avenue.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the famous salad luncheon will be held at the Frazee Event Center. A to-go option will be available for the brunch that provides a variety of salads, from traditional salads, to macaroni salads, dessert salads and more.

At noon there are several events being held: 

A bean bag tournament will be held at the Frazee city clinic parking lot with registration at 11:30 a.m. 

The Road Rally registration is at 11:30a.m. and this year’s theme is 21 and Done Poker Run. A turkey bowling event will be held on Main Avenue, as well a soap box derby. Turkey bingo will go until 4 p.m. at the Frazee Event Center. A gambling booth will be held until 6 p.m. at  the VFW. 

At 12:30 p.m. a frozen T-shirt contest will be held at Ketter’s Meat Market. The cost to enter is $5.

At 1:30 p.m. a kids pedal tractor pull will start on Main Avenue.

At 3:30 p.m. a turkey drop will be held at Ketter’s Meat Market where prizes will be given out. At the same time a beard competition will be held at the VFW. Register at the event.

At 4 p.m. water fights will start. At 5:30 p.m. adult water fights start. 

From 4-7 p.m. a spaghetti supper will be held at the Frazee Event Center.

At 7 p.m. the Miss Frazee and Miss Teen pageant will be held at the Frazee High School. Admission is $6.

From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. the street dance will be held on Main Avenue. The cover charge is $5 and Ultrasound will be performing life. The event is a 21 and older event.

Fireworks will be held at dusk.

Sunday, July 25

The Sunday events start at 9 a.m. with a tractor show on Second Street. Registration is from 8-9 a.m. All tractors are welcome, from pedal to garden, vintage and more. The show will go until noon.

At 10 a.m. the community outdoor worship service begins at Harvest Church. Bring chairs and enjoy the live praise band. All churches are welcome. In the event of rain the service will be held inside the church.

At 10:30 a.m. a button drawing will be held. Buttons can be purchased at local businesses. Each button has a number and if the button number is chosen during the drawing the button holder can win a prize.

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. a turkey luncheon will be held at the Frazee Event Center. The cost is $6. Those younger than 6 will pay $3. A to-go option is available.

From 12-12:45 p.m. a book walk will be held on Main Avenue. Books will be given to winners of the friendly competition. 

At 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., acoustic super Sunday will be held at the VFW. It will feature Damian D and other local artists.

At 1:15 p.m. a pet and doll parade begins. Registration starts at 12:45 p.m. with the line up at the Frazee Fire Hall. Judging starts at 1 p.m.

Starting at 2 p.m., the Turkey Days parade begins. Line up starts at 1 p.m. at the Frazee High School elementary practice football fields. Prizes will be given for best floats. To join the parade call (701) 893-5759. 

Ice cream dessert social starts after the parade at the Frazee Event Center.

At 3:30 p.m., a demolition derby starts at the corner of Fifth Street and Main Avenue. Admission is $10. Those 5 and younger get in free. Entries for the derby can be made from 12-3 p.m. and costs $50.

From 6-10 p.m. the annual Gobbler Karaoke begins. 

Ongoing events

The Mystery Gobbler provides clues every hour about a resident in the area. The person who identifies the Mystery Gobbler will get a gift.

There will be a food court Friday through Sunday on Main Avenue near the United Community Bank.

The Turkey Golf Scramble will be held Friday and Saturday. Call the golf course to schedule a tee time 334-3831.

The silent auction will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Frazee Event Center to raise funds for Neighbor to Neighbor. Bidding closes at 1 p.m.

The flower show will be held on Friday at 4 p.m., until Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Frazee Event Center. Flowers for the competition should be brought Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.

Beer gardens will be set up Friday through Sunday at the VFW.