Photos by Chad Koenen

Despite rainy conditions being predicted for most of the weekend, Looney Days events stayed mostly dry over the weekend in Vergas. Sunday’s parade once again featured everything from candy being caught by guests from floats and parade entrants by the Vergas Lions Club and Hansons Plumbing and Heating. Hansons also hosted an open house celebrating their 90th year in business last week. 

Members of the Frazee High School marching band performed during Sunday’s parade. Quinn Peterson finished in third place, Joss Winter took second place and Leah Ellingson took first place in the ages 9-15 loon calling contest on Saturday. Local youth throw out candy by the handful on the back of a pickup for Looney Days Parade grand marshal Krissy Barten’s parade entry on Sunday. 

Photos by Chad Koenen, Robert Williams

Despite their best efforts to get their wiener dogs to race to the finish line, a few of the dogs had ideas of their own as they played with one another at the start of the race. One of the popular entrants was dressed in a Where’s Waldo outfit during one of the first races of the day. Below middle: A water ski show was held on both Friday and Saturday nights near the Loon Park beach. Friday’s event featured a kids fishing contest in the morning. The fishing pier was one of the more popular places for kids to drop a line during the event. 

Maisey Barth, Lee Arndt, Bella Bunkowske and Landon Schrupp were crowned as the 2023 Little Miss and Mr. Looney Days royalty on Saturday. Several dozen children competed in the annual Little Miss and Mr. contest, which included a question and answer session with Miss Frazee Hailey Selly and Miss Teen Sophia Strand, as well as a talent competition. The talent included everything from doing the Griddy to singing, dancing and even riding a stick horse around some barrels. Horse-drawn rides were given throughout the morning and early afternoon on Saturday. Bottom right: A pedal tractor pull featured entrants of all ages in Vergas. The Troll Bridge petting zoo was a popular stop for families, which featured everything from a zebra to a kangaroo.