Big Lake’s Spud Fest went off without a hitch this week, dodging light rainfall and hot temperatures to bring delight to thousands of fair-goers throughout the area.

The event kicked off Thursday with a pickleball tournament and rolled over into a kids bike rodeo and parade later in the afternoon. The Big Lake Ambassadors were called upon to serve hot dogs and brats at the main tent area and Party Wagon provided fun music and dance.

ECFE had their own area where they held bingo and hosted a potato-themed art contest as well as allowing kids to create a spud car to race. That race followed ECFE and elsewhere Karl Achilles performed a magic show. The carnival opened at 6 p.m. and youngsters lined up to play games and take a jaunt on numerous fair rides.

Friday’s events started at 1 p.m. and the bingo tent filled up at around 3 p.m. as well as the beer tent. The annual Guns & Hoses softball game was held to kick off the softball tournament and concessions opened for the evening at 5 p.m. Good for Gary played music from 8-midnight and fireworks splattered the sky at dusk to close out the Friday festivities.

A windy, slightly damp morning on Saturday didn’t stop the parade from happening. Nor did it discourage the athletes who ran the Run the Lakes 5K from Lakeside Park. The annual Spud Run motorcycle ride began at 8:30 a.m. and Marketplace vendors put their wares on display at 11 a.m.

Dance Caravan of Otsego performed mid-day at the main stage and kids rode rides, played games and even visited the kids fun tent hosted by the Big Lake Women of Today. The Ambassadors held their coronation at 2 p.m. and 2 Mile Final rocked the house later in the day with a fun concert from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday had the softball tournament conclude on a nice sunny morning and guests welcomed the annual car show in the Big Lake High School parking lot. A potato pancake breakfast was served in the morning and Ron Moshier was called upon to play the tunes for the remainder of the event. A Pedal Pull was held at 2:30 p.m. by the bingo tent and as 4 p.m. approached, the organizers of the event had the tents brought down and the rides disassembled.

It was a fantastic week and the community looks forward to next year’s week of fun!