CONRAD — June has arrived and that means several communities are gearing up for their summer festivals; Conrad’s Black Dirt Days is one of the first on this year’s schedule.

This year’s theme is “Take Me Out to Conrad” and Black Dirt Days Committee Chairwoman Ann Rogers said there’s plenty for visitors to look forward to once the festival begins 5 p.m. June 8.

“The truck pull has historically been on Saturday … we’re doing it on Friday night under the lights,” she said. “We’re also having a seventh-12th grade pool party Friday from 8-10 p.m.”

That same evening will bring the kiddie tractor pull, a fireworks show, karaoke at RJ’s Lounge and a live performance on Main Street by variety band Route 66.

“We are having fireworks Friday night as night falls, probably around 9:50,” Rogers said.

She said the show will take place near the Conrad Family Aquatic Center, 611 N. Main St.

The event schedule for Saturday is also full of activities.

“Saturday morning from 8 to 10 is a community breakfast sponsored at MidWestOne Bank, it’s at Reunion Park, which is by the pool,” Rogers said.

Also starting at the park at 8 a.m. Saturday will be the Dash and Splash 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run. The Chamber Main Street Annual Dog Show will begin at 9:30 a.m.

In downtown Conrad, visitors will be able to take in the work of woodcarver Travis Kimball and check out an open house of the Conrad Heritage Hall and Museum at 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., respectively.

The Black Dirt Days Grand Parade will roll through town starting at 11:30 a.m., and will begin at the BCLUW High School parking lot.

“Our grand marshal is Paul Eckerman; he was the coach of the 1968 girls state (high school) basketball winners,” Rogers said. She said members of that team will join Eckerman at the parade.

At noon there will be inflatables and games, face painting, pony rides, a bags/corn hole tournament, and live music in the downtown area. The Fourth Annual Black Dirt Days Bazaar will take place at Conrad Public Library beginning at noon, while a classic car show starts at 1:30 p.m.

“My personal favorite of the whole weekend is the band we have Saturday night, Wheelhouse Band,” Rogers said. “They will perform Saturday night from 8 to 12 on Main Street on the stage.”

She said there’s a special purpose behind this year’s baseball theme.

“The reason for our theme is because Conrad has been given the opportunity to host the Smithsonian Hometown Team traveling exhibition … coming Nov. 17-Jan 1 (2019),” Rogers said. “The Smithsonian Institute has all these historical artifacts and facts and pictures about hometown teams, so when we found that out we thought we’d just partner with that theme.”

Black Dirt Days is an chance for Conrad to show itself off, she said.

“It’s a really quaint downtown,” Rogers said. “I’m thankful for all the donations and the volunteers who have helped out this year.”

For more information on Black Dirt Days 2018, check out the event’s Facebook page, visit https://conrad.govoffice.com or call Rogers at MidWestOne Bank, 641-366-2165.

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Contact Adam Sodders at (641) 753-6611 or asodders@timesrepublican.com