CONRAD — With the theme of Gettin’ Groovy in Conrad, the annual Black Dirt Days will be a mix of food, music, kids’ activities, recreation and more on Friday and Saturday.

“I wanted the theme to be bright and fun, and I thought ‘gettin’ groovy’ would be a good fit,” said event coordinator Lindsay Kuhl.

Kuhl explained that volunteers each plan an element of the event while local businesses and groups generously donate funds to ensure the event remains free to the public, while also helping to run booths and activities, as needed.

Festivities kick off Friday morning with the Annual Junior Golf Tournament held at Oakwood Golf Course. Registration is at 9 a.m. with tee off at 10 a.m. sharp. There is no cost for youth to participate and lunch is provided. Non-golfers can have lunch for $5.

Register by June 7 by calling the clubhouse at 641-366-2211 or Allie Hineman at 641-691-0569.

Golfing will be broken down by ages 5-9,10-13 and 14-18. Bring your own clubs and balls. The top three golfers in each age group will be awarded a medal.

Lineup for the kiddie parade will begin at 5:15 p.m. Friday night at Lil Comets Learning Center, with the parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. No registration is required.

“It’s usually a wide variety of people and has become pretty popular,” Kuhl said. “Daycares will walk through it, people will walk their dogs, kids will ride their bikes.”

The route will end up at the midway where this year’s Little Mr. and Miss — Ethan Schwarck and Zada Hines — will be crowned on the main stage.

“It’s BCLUW second graders and we take the list of names and do a random drawing,” she noted of the selection process.

Returning this year is the second annual Black Day’s 3 on 3 pool ball basketball tournament, held at the Conrad Aquatic Center’s basketball court. The post high school division will start at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by the over 40 division. On Saturday, the youth division will start at 10 a.m.

Entry fee is $30 per team (three-person roster, no subs). It will be a coed tournament. Eight teams per division entry deadline is June 1 or when division fills. Three games are guaranteed if the division is full. Awards will be given for first place of each division.

All proceeds go to the Comet basketball program to help with registration fees and tournament costs.

Later on Friday night, starting at 7 p.m., the Conrad Aquatic Center will be the site of a pool party for students who have finished seventh grade through finished with twelfth grade. Enjoy food, games, prizes and more until 10 p.m.

“They will have a great view of the fireworks,” Kuhl said. “That will start around 9:30-9:45.”

Friday night music will be Route 66 starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night at 8 p.m. will be Mike Bernard.

Saturday morning will bring the grand parade, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with lineup in the high school parking lot. No registration is required.

New this year will be a station set up by Iowa River Hospice, offering free will donation fruit cups, Saturday at noon.

Purchase your ride wristbands now until Friday by noon for a discounted price. They are available at GNB Bank and MidWestOne Bank. Presale price is $10. Day of price is $15. It will grant access to inflatables, games and a ride called the Pirate’s Revenge.

There will also be a free inflatable for those ages 3 and under, thanks to Wyffels Hybrids, Ben Kuhl.

Food vendors will include: Appleberry Farms, Smokin’ G’s, Sky Kone, Sugar Box Treats, Big Acai Bowl, Maria’s Tacos, Clare’s Tenderloins, Hangloose Nutrion, Hometown Foods, American Legion Auxiliary and Mason’s — Truck Pulls.

While the event always has a beer garden, Kuhl said new this year will be a mobile lounge and bar called Olive or Twist that will be offering craft cocktails.

If you’re looking to purchase tickets, wristbands or need first aid or directions, the Blue Collar Community Church will be running the hospitality tent near Something to Share on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

The truck and tractor pulls are Saturday night.

“We are sending such a big thank you to Smith Farms and Row Crop Specialties for making this amazing event happen. We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.

On Saturday at 6 p.m., Travis Kimball will be doing his wood carving with pieces made live then auctioned off by Spanky & Sons Auction Co.

“Funds raised go back to our Black Dirt Days,” she said.

The event not only brings people in the community together, it also helps the local economy.

“Black Dirt Days is fun for all those attending, but also provides an economic boost for many of our Conrad businesses,” said Jacey Lehman, Board President Conrad Chamber-Main Street. “We see folks come into town from all around Conrad, and many of them patronize our local businesses while they are here — from getting event t-shirts, to grabbing a drink or snack, to picking up quilting supplies. We welcome everyone to come enjoy Black Dirt Days and check out what Conrad has to offer while you’re here.”

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/blackdirtdays.