By Robert Williams

Editor

Multiple class reunions and combining with one of Frazee’s other big events of the summer highlight this year’s Turkey Days festival July 25-28.

Chairs Tabiatha Branden and Sarah Wallin-Prellwitz noted that finding volunteers for this year’s event was not a problem, but there is always room for more.

“You have to work as a community and it pushes us to work together,” Wallin-Prellwitz said.

Space has become an issue with so many planned events that the use of town halls outside of town are in play to host everything.

“Some people had to get creative because we ran out of the Event Center or CornerStone,” Branden said. “They don’t know where to go but we want them and they’re making them work.”

This year’s Turkey Days is also going to see a large contribution and turnout from one of Frazee’s other large events each year joining the celebration in Bubba Samuelson’s motorcycle ride and extravaganza.

“My favorite thing that was added,” said Branden. “Bubba and I really pushed for this one.”

Each summer for the past two years, Samuelson has organized a large motorcycle ride, stunt show and birthday bash based out of his home on Cherry Street.

“We met and chatted about how it could benefit him and us and how we could work together as a community,” Branden said.

Samuelson’s get-together has plenty of events for kids including the stunt show, a 120-foot slip-n-slide, live music and a hot dog feed Friday and Saturday.

Samuelson is also bringing back a motorcycle ride to the festival for the first time in a few years.

Another first will be two street dances making for a lively Saturday night downtown with the Fat Cats playing the VFW and the Front Fenders playing at Third Crossing.

Another special event will be the final Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show in its 15th iteration; the event will be ending after this year’s festival.

“Daneele (Shipman) is super supportive too,” said Branden. “Personally, selfishly, it’s hard to see her step away just because I know she’s so supportive. She’s one of those positives.”

The 70th Turkey Days will have a full food court as the chairs no longer have openings with a full lot on West Main already booked.

“Super stoked about that too,” said Branden.

There are vendor openings for the Street Fair. Signing up is easy for interested vendors with online registration at www.frazeecommunityclub.com/ 

Entrants for the parade can also register online with the Community Club.

One event that needed a little help with participation is the sand castle contest Friday afternoon. 

To register, contact Hank Ludtke at 218-234-336 to register a team of two, one tween (12+) and one kid (under 12).

The Town Lake Beach area will have more traffic just prior to this year’s sand castle building with a return of the Turkey Calling Contest Friday at 1:30 p.m. Kate Vigen is taking registrations at (218) 234-6483.

“That’s exciting,” said Branden.

Turkey Days will also encapsulate this summer’s ongoing Fridays in Frazee, which is combining with Family Fun Night at Harvest Church doubling up the already popular events.

With some separate class reunions going on during the week, all former Hornets will have the opportunity to gather at Daggett Truck Line Saturday, July 27 from 2-5 p.m., for an All School Reunion, hosted by the Classes of 1980, 81 and 82.

The Forum’s front window will be the place to find clues to figure out this year’s Mystery Gobbler and Button Drawing winners. The Mystery Gobbler first clue is given out at Thursday’s opening ceremony. 

Grand Marshals for this signature year Turkey Days are Dan and Karen Pifher. The Forum will feature the Pifhers leading up to this year’s festival.

Turkey Days will be held July 25-28. Posters are available around town and the Turkey Days’ Facebook page has updated information and breakdowns, for instance, they have condensed all of the kids’ events onto one page for easy planning.