Free events all day from 9 a.m. to midnight

By Robert Williams

Editor

Vergas will come alive all day on Saturday, Sept. 30 during the second annual Hairyman Festival as the town is filled with side-by-sides and all-terrain vehicles ready to hit the event’s signature 25-mile trail ride at noon.

The ride begins and ends at Looney’s Pub and Campground. The cost is $20 per machine with registration open at 10:30 a.m.

The festival opens at 9 a.m., with Hairyman Yoga at the ball fields.

All day activities include seven food and beer trucks, Matt Clemetson’s Hairman Chainsaw Carving with $10 raffle tickets to win a finished sculpture at Billy’s Bar & Grill at 7 p.m.

A farmer’s market will also be available, along with games of jumbo beer pong and hammerschlagen. Trowbridge Creek Zoo will have animals on display near the pickleball courts.

Ten teams will vie for the finish line of the Amazing Hairyman Race beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Text Tami at (218) 850-0202 to register with the following information:

• Team name

• How many on the team

• Verification that all team members are older than 10.

Teams can consist of 2-5 people. This is a race, but not a running race. Games are played throughout the city of Vergas so come prepared with comfortable tennis shoes, and layers depending on the weather. Teams will have different games to complete before moving on to the next (all team members have to be at the game in order for your team to start). The race must be completed on foot by all team members (no golf carts, scooters, bikes, vehicles).  

Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available from 1-3 p.m., with the band Kohlrabi Soup performing at the same time.

Old-fashioned kids games: pumpkin rolling, a 3-legged race, pie throwing and more are scheduled from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

The bean bag tournament begins at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is located at the Vergas Liquor Store with a cutoff of 1:30 p.m., if the field is not already full by then. There is a $20 entry fee with 100 percent cash payouts.

Also at 2 p.m., the archery contest and kids ninja course will begin. 

Kids costume and pumpkin decorating contests start at 2:30 p.m.

Live music continues when Vince Moreno takes the stage from 3:30-6 p.m. Brox Axe Throwing runs from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

The event wraps up with the Hairiest Man Contest at 5 p.m., and the Tip Raffle drawing at Billy’s at 7 p.m., with the winner choosing between $500 in Looney Bucks or $400 cash.

Kohlrabi Soup plays again at 8 p.m., at Billy’s and will be on stage until midnight.

Other than where noted, the majority of the events are free of charge.

Organizers advise bringing lawn chairs and will have festival updates on Facebook. The Event Center is the backup location in case of inclement weather.

Hairyman swag will be available on site.