Photo by Robert Williams
Kids of all ages have plenty of options for fun during the third annual Vergas Hairyman Festival from old-time games, to working their way through the ninja course, and aiming at Hairyman-shaped targets in the archery contest.

By Robert Williams

Editor

When Vergas hosts an event the town is always filled to capacity from wiener dogs during Looney Days to hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts during Ole’s Ride. The third annual Hairyman Festival brings its own unique crew in side-by-side and all-terrain vehicle operators as they take over Vergas during the festival’s signature event—the 45-mile trail ride that takes off from Loonies Pub at noon on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Matt Clementson of Viking Tree Sculptures draws a crowd all day in Vergas Saturday while completing his Hairyman sculpture prior to it being raffled away at the conclusion of the day at Billy’s Bar & Grill. Raffle tickets are $10.

The festival is scheduled from 12-5:30 p.m., with nearly all the events happening at the Vergas ballfields.

Like Looney Days, there are many events, especially for kids, that are free of charge, something the Vergas Community Club strives for in planning their events.

“That’s kind of our goal,” said Community Club President Sherri Hanson. “To be able to make sure we have great events that families can enjoy.”

Early birds can get a healthy start to the day with Hairyman Yoga at 9 a.m., and Billy’s Bar & Grill hosts the raffle drawing at the conclusion of the festival around 7 p.m.

Food and beer trucks, vendors at the Hairyman market and rounds of hammerschlagen go on all day, along with more shopping deals downtown.

The Hairyman Festival will feature a number of activities at the ball fields in Vergas on Saturday.

Registration for the trail ride begins at 10:30 a.m., at Loonies. Cost is $20 per machine. Prize drawings will be at the ballfields at 4:30 p.m. Winners must be present to win. Last year, the ride drew more than 250 side-by-sides. The ride lasts approximately two hours.

The amazing Hairyman scavenger hunt for ages 10+ begins at 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is recommended at vergascommunityclub.com. Find the registration under the forms menu.

Matt Aakre will perform a free concert from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Aakre and his band, the Dirty Little Secret, started playing together back in 2001. After 5 albums and 10+ years together, the original members all departed, but have since gotten back together.

Primarily a country-rock group, Aakre and his mates play everything from hard rock and country to their own originals that people have come to love over the last 20+ years.

During the show, free kids events will be happening all around the ballpark from face painting, assorted games and the ninja course. A kid’s costume contest will also be held at 2 p.m.

Pre-register at the Vergas Liquor store to participate in the 2 p.m. bean bag tournament, which will be limited to 32 teams. There is a $20 entry fee and 100 percent payouts.

At 5 p.m., the annual hairiest person contest and kid’s mullet contest will be held.

Hairyman swag and clothing will be available at Natalie’s Serendipity, Summer’s Design Center and on-site at events.

According to Hanson, one event is happening outside of Vergas at Otter Berry Farm. The farm is located at 38132 470th Avenue in New York Mills. The farm specialized in corn mazes and there will be a Hairyman corn maze this year. The Community Club has hidden a Hairyman somewhere in the maze. If you find it, take a selfie with it and bring it back to the ballfields to get registered for a $300 prize.

Raffle tickets for Matt Clemetson’s annual Hairyman chainsaw carving are $10 with the winner’s name drawn at Billy’s at 7 p.m.

Visit the Vergas Community’s Club’s website or Facebook page for more information.