STEAM ENGINE DAYS THIS WEEKEND!

Labor Day is often your unofficial reminder that summer fun is over, but hold on just one more weekend. It is still technically summer! It's time for the 65th annual Heper-Mabel Steam Engine Days.

The fun begins Thursday evening, with the Parade of Tractors from Hesper, Iowa to Mabel, Minnesota. The route goes north on Highway 28 at 6:00. If you want to do some dancing, more fun will be had at the Legion! Buck Hollow Band will be performing from 7:00 until 10:00.

Friday, KFIL will be covering a Mabel-Canton at LeRoy-Ostrander football game. If I'm still up to dancing, I may hit up the Legion to see Kat and the Fiddle perform! Saturday it gets really busy in Mabel!

Stop by the farmer's market Saturday morning, a model railroad show can be seen anytime from 10:00-5:00, and the kiddos will also love the Wild Things Zoo Attractions at the softball field down on the Steam Engine Grounds from 11:00-5:00. Then of course the parade at noon! The parade starts with steam engines and tractors for the first bit, followed by your regular parade fare. I probably won't need to run out for much candy, as I watch the parade at my grandma's house (It's a grandma's job to feed you whether you need it or not). Immediately following the parade is the Little Miss Mabel Pageant and Queen Coronation on the stage at the Steam Engine Grounds.

The bean bag tourney starts at 2:00, with registration following the parade, bingo is at the dairy barn at 2:00, and there are some great activities for the kids at that time as well. Down at the Steam Engine Grounds, it's the Hoefer Family Power Pedal Pull, Jolly Jumpz Amusements, and free rides on the Little Blue Choo Train (one of my favorites back in the day).

The night begins with Tri-State Pullers Tractor and Truck Pull at 6:00. It looks like we'll be dry this year, unlike last year! Lil Dale and the Legends perform at the Legion at 8:00 if you need some dancing Saturday night, and then Trouble Shooter performs on the street. Don't miss the fireworks at dusk!

That just takes me through Saturday! Don't forget to get up for the Ecumenical Church Service at the Steam Engine Grounds at 9:30. KTTC's Tom Overlie will be singing, I understand.

All kinds of stuff going on, so if you're lazy, check out the new Steam Engine Days website. A fun time in my hometown!