If you survived the lazy days of summer last year when most events were cancelled, the pool was closed and mowing the lawn was the big chance to get out and do something, put on your racing shoes because this summer is ramping up to be the opposite.
Moody County is in the mood to celebrate as many people get vaccinated for COVID-19 and feel more comfortable being with others.
Here’s a list of some highlights or everything we could track down for now:
•Starting this coming weekend, Flandreau Rodeo Days kicks off across from the Royal River Casino, calling all buckaroos to stop by for entertainment, food and beverages. That’s two days of getting dust on your boots, eating food truck fare and watching cowboys give it their all.
Last year, the casino had the two-day event but pushed the dates back to August.
•New this month is Flandreau Fridays, a downtown family event organized by resident Brittany Ho, who wanted to bring together all cultures around what we do best – eat great food and just have fun.
The preschool teacher and mother of four will use a $5,000 Bush grant she applied for to bring together food vendors, music, dancing, children’s events and games the evening of June 25 on Second Avenue. It will represent the Native American, Hispanic, Filipino, Caucasian and other backgrounds that influence the community. If the event is successful the first time, she hopes to be able to do more Flandreau Fridays.
The organization has some pretty cute T-shirts, too.
For July:
•The Moody County Museum is back hosting the traditional July 4 Celebration on its grounds. Summerfest starts at 10 a.m. that Sunday, with a 9:30 a.m. church service at the Bend in the River school house.
The event goes into the afternoon with a 2 p.m. concert by the city band. The museum will be open and will have a raffle for a Terry Redlin print as a fundraiser.
The day also will include food booths and more entertainment at the bandshell.
•The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will hold its annual powwow – Wacipi – July 16-18 with vendors, dancing and traditional events.
•Trent will celebrate its 135th birthday July 24 with a parade, food trucks, games, a bean bag tournament, music and a street dance that starts at 8 p.m. and continues until midnight. Westin Frank Live will perform for the dance at the ball diamond.
Organizers are putting together a classic show and shine car show, and a poker run is planned at Steve’s Bar.
The parade is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start and will go throughout the town.
Camping is available for those who want to spend the night.
•The following weekend,it’s the Moody County Fair. Flandreau’s main street will host the Fair’s annual parade at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 29.
The event wasn’t held last year because of Covid precautions, and this year there will be a few changes, too, for the July 28-31 event. There will be no community dinner, 4-H dance or toilet bowl races, but plans still are in the works for some new ideas and 4-H members still will participate in their events.
In August:
•Riverside Park Days is back this year after a break because of Covid precautions last year. The event is planned for Aug. 7-8 and is being organized by a group of community volunteers, including new members of the committee this year.
Park Days carries on a tradition of baseball, music, food vendors, booths, bean bags, an outdoor worship and more.
•Colman will celebrate its annual Looney Days Aug. 13-14 with Friday night events at the Sunrise Golf Course and Greg’s Place. Saturday will bring a crowd downtown to the traditional parade and a kiddie tractor pull.
The community hosted limited events last summer, including the parade with a route that was spread out so that people would not have to bunch up together.
•Still looking for things to do?
If those bigger events aren’t enough to fill your summer, there’s everyday happenings in Flandreau, too. Cruise through the city park, and baseball games likely are going on almost every night.
Flandreau has a Legion team for the first time in a number of years, made up of teens of 17-19-year-olds. There will be games with little kids to adults.
Take a long-overdue dip in the pool at the Flandreau Aquatic Center. Closed last summer, staff are ready for this year’s crowds.
After all the exercise, it might be time to sit down and relax at a city band concert. Concerts start Thursday at 7 p.m. at the city bandshell and continue through August.
