With school officially out, the upcoming summer months are set to be jam-packed with fun, exciting family entertainment to bring families, friends and communities closer together.

 

Next week, of course, is the city’s annual Freedom Days celebration starting with the medallion hunt Monday. Clues will be available at the community center, on the BCC Facebook page and at www.beckercommunitycenter.com.

 

The week’s festivities conclude Saturday with the morning parade,, teen zone, baseball, stage performances and the fireworks show.

 

The Kragero School on the property of Tom and Gail Barthel will be celebrating their 120th anniversary, Sun., June 25th at noon.

 

The celebration will include a pig roast, horse-drawn wagon rides, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a horse parade.

 

Kragero School consolidated with Becker Public Schools in 1967 and at that time had 16 students enrolled. Today, the school building is still being used for a local 4-H club (The Kragero Kangaroos) and other community events.

 

Clearwater Heritage Days runs Fri., Aug. 4 and Sat., Aug. 5.

 

The two-day event features a kiddie parade Friday morning, a main parade in the evening, square dancing from 5:30-7 p.m., DJ music all night, fireworks at dusk, a 5k run/walk Sat. morning, a beanbag tournament Sat. and the CWFD Open House Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

The Becker Farmer’s Market returns to the area Fridays from 3-6 p.m. in the Becker Furniture World parking lot.

 

The market runs from May through October where people can experience fresh flavors, homemade goods, enjoy community interaction and support the area’s local vendors.  This year one can find fresh produce and eggs, plants, homemade goods and crafts, wooden signs, wild rice, honey, cookies, breads, jams, jellies and salsa, dog treats, homemade lotions and personal care items and so much more!

 

Thurs., July 27 the Becker Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual golf outing at Pebble Creek Golf Course.

 

The event is open to the public and features 18 holes of golf at 3 p.m. with a hole-in-one contest, prizes, a dinner and awards at 6 p.m.

 

Pebble Creek will be hosting their second annual Concert at the Creek, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.

 

The event will feature music from the Chris Hawkey Band, the Tim Mahoney Band and Outside Recess. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

 

People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy food and beverage served at the site. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, walking tacos, pulled pork or chicken and a full array of beers and spirits. 21+ years and over only.

 

Summer wouldn’t be summer without activities through the Becker Youth Sports Association.

 

The Becker Blast softball teams will be playing all summer along with Becker baseball, youth soccer, youth lacrosse, youth football and youth basketball.

 

Community Education Activities

The Becker Community Education organization has issued a summer catalog featuring swimming lessons and camps, youth enrichment, early childhood offerings, family education, camps and clinics, trips, community happenings and opening doors — a program for adults with disabilities. 

 

To view the catalog, go to the Becker Public Schools website and click “community education.”

 

State Golf  Tournament

Pebble Creek will once again be hosting the Class 1A High School Golf Tournament Tues. and Wed.

 

On the girls side, Legacy Christian Academy (Section 4) returns as the two-time defending champion, and all six of the Lions’ golfers have previous tournament experience. Four other teams also return from last year’s field: BOLD of Olivia (Section 5), runner-up; Fillmore Central of Harmony (Section 1), third; Ottertail Central (Section 6), a co-op between Battle Lake and Henning, seventh; and Barnum (Section 7), eighth.

 

Rounding out the Class A field are: Springfield (Section 2); Minneota (Section 3); and Fosston (Section 8).

 

On the boys side, four of the eight qualified teams competed in the 2014 tournament, including the defending champions from Dawson-Boyd (Section 5). The Blackjacks have five golfers with previous tournament experience.

 

The other returning teams are: United South Central of Wells (Section 2), runner-up; Mille Lacs (Section 7), which includes students from Isle and Onamia, fourth; and Murray County Central of Slayton (Section 3), seventh. Fillmore Central of Harmony (Section 1), Mounds Park Academy of St. Paul (Section 4), Mahnomen/Waubun (Section 6), and Fosston (Section 8).

 

James Wedgwood, a local ventriloquist, will be performing his program at the BCC at 10 a.m., June 27.

 

Wedgwood blends amazing technical skill seamlessly with quick wit and a whole cast of wacked-out wooden friends, ranging from hunter Willard Twitsnoggle to blues Diva Luanda LeDeuce.

 

The June 27 event is a great opportunity to see the fascinating art of ventriloquism up close and who knows, an audience member may even become part of the act!