Becker’s annual Freedom Days celebration begins next week and culminates with the fireworks show late Saturday night, June 18. It all kicks off Monday with the medallion hunt. Clues for the hidden trinket will be available at the Becker Community Center, on the BCC Facebook page and at www.beckercommunitycenter.com.
Freedom Days Events
Mon., June 13 - Fri. June 17: Medallion Hunt (stated above) as well as the Family and Friends Fun Fit Team Challenge and Show Us Your Spirit “Selfie” Challenge (ends June 18). Information can be found at the BCC.
Monday also is Open Streets Becker/Let’s Move at the BCC, BCC green space and the school parking lot along Bradley Avenue from 5-8 p.m.
The Great River Regional Library (GRRL) will have their summer reading program begin Monday also.
Tues., June 14: GRRL hosts Professor Marvel and the Magic of the Olympics/Reading Celebration Magic Show at 10:30 a.m. at the BCC.
The BASC (Becker Area Senior Center) Senior event will be held at the BCC. At 9 a.m., there will be regular BASC events; at 11:30 a.m. will be lunch; At noon to 2 p.m. will be the St. Cloud Pantowners Car Show with Elvis impersonator Eddie Hughes.
Also on Tuesday will be the annual Ice Cream Social at the Sherburne County History Center, featuring live music and a water bottle rocket event from 6-8 p.m.
Wed., June 15: Sherburne State Bank will hold their customer appreciation lunch and ice cream social from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of Sherburne State Bank.
Also on Wednesday, is the Disc Golf Tournament (for people of all ages and abilities) at Becker City Park at 6 p.m. Interested parties can register on-site at 5 p.m.
Thurs., June 16: STARCOR Credit Union will host a member appreciation lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn next to the credit union.
Also on Thursday, a new event called Speed Golf will be played at Pebble Creek. There will be a practice run to strategize and rehearse at 5:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. official run. The tournament will feature eight-person teams at $5 a person. Call Lori Keller at 612-386-5113 for more information.
Finally, on Thursday, the GRRL will host the Chocolate Olympics for teens (ages 12-18) at 6 p.m. Registration is required.
Fri., June 17: A Celebration of Freedom BBQ and Entertainment event (sponsored by the Becker Lions Club, the Becker American Legion, the Son’s of the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon) will be held in the grassy area behind the BCC. Food and beverages will be for sale and live music provided by Coverfire — members of the 34th infantry division band from 5-9 .m.
Also on Friday, will be the Kiddie Parade at the BCC at 10 a.m. for ages 0-12. No pre-registration required, call the BCC for more information at 763-200-4271.
Sat., June 18: The Freedom Days 5L Fun Run/Walk happens early on with registration from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. at the BCC. The 5K Fun Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Fun Run begins at 8 a.m.
Professional chip timing and finish line video and pictures will be provided by Gopher State vents. Stop at the BCC or go to www.beckercommunitycenter.com to pre-register.
Also on Saturday, the Kids Freedom Days 1K Fun Run/Walk for ages 12 and under kicks off. Registration is from 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the BCC. The 1K Fun Run begins at 9:10 a.m. (ages 7-12 years) and 9:15 a.m. (ages 2-6) at the BCC. Stop at the BCC or go to www.beckercommunitycenter.com to pre-register.
The Freedom Days Parade begins at 11 a.m. (line up begins at 10 a.m.). Pre-registration forms are available at the BCC and online at www.beckercommunitycenter.com (must pre-register to get your line up spot).
All new this year is the Teen Zone with inflatables, lawn games, trampoline launch pad, henna artist, music and concessions for sale. Tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event. Teen Zone will take place in the backyard of the BCC from noon to 6 p.m. Teen Zone is the brainchild of Becker students Hailey Fitzpatrick and Adair Friedman, who are volunteer youth representatives on the parks & rec board.
(The following community activities Saturday will take place at the old Becker Fire Hall unless otherwise stated).
The Memorial Blood Center Blood Drive will occur at the school parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call Tommie at 651-332-7162 to schedule an appointment.
The Craft Show will happen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The games and inflatables go from noon to 5:30 p.m. Food and beverage vendors go from noon until 10 p.m. The Hasse Petting Zoo and Pony Rides will be open from noon until 3:30 p.m. Bingo and Raffle takes place from noon to 3 p.m.
There will be free access to the Pebble Creek Local 9 for regular golf, FlingGolf or FootGolf. Tee times are required and can be made by calling 763-200-4268 or online at pebblecreekgolf.com.
The Freedom Days Dazzler Dance Camp performance begins immediately following the parade at the Hancock Street staging area.
The Becker Blast Freedom Days Softball Tournament will be held at the BAC from Friday to Sunday and the Becker Freedom Days Tennis Tournament will be held at the high school tennis courts Friday and Saturday. Call Hokan Bengtson at 763-280-1896 for additional information and to register for the tournament.
For entertainment on June 18, Dean-O-Mite DJ will be providing music and fun from noon until 4 p.m. Joe Perry and Friends will perform at the Gazebo from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Outside Recess — a rock-and-roll cover band playing a wide variety of high-energy music from the 70s, 80s and 90s — will play from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Finally, the Freedom Days Fireworks Show begins at 10 p.m. to close out the exciting week.
Freedom Days sponsors include: American Family Insurance - Amy Chmielewski Agency, Becker Freedom Days Committee, Becker Lions Club, Becker Police Dept., Becker School District, Becker Township, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-All Seasons, City of Becker, Connexus Energy, Country Lumber Inc., Grand Casino (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), Liberty Paper Inc., McDonald's Meats Inc., Pebble Creek Golf Course, Scheideman Chiropractic, Sherburne State Bank, STARCOR Credit Union, Studio 5 Salon, Viking Coca-Cola, Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Wruck Sewer & Portable Rentals and Xcel Energy.
“Thank you so much to everybody,” said Cassidy. We can’t do this without our sponsors, local businesses and volunteers.”
Everyone, come out and enjoy the week-long festivities of Freedom Days and support your local community!
