Palmer Park will be crowded next Saturday, Sept. 7, with people coming from all around the area to enjoy the 21st annual Palmer Day celebration. The festival promises to be a day full of old favorites with some new fun added in. 

The day kicks off with the 5K Fun Run/Walk. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the run starting at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded at its conclusion.

The Top 20 Car Show also begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. The popular event has been a part of Palmer Day for the past 11 years.

Everyone’s favorite, the parade, starts at noon with entries from local businesses and organizations, and featuring the Kracker Jacks Drumline. The parade will be broadcast live on AM 800 WVAL, and a $100 prize will be awarded for both the most creative float and the most unique float.

Organizers are proud to announce that long-time Palmer resident Judy Wipper has been selected as the parade’s Grand Marshal this year, a very deserving recipient who has given much to the community.

Kids games will be open at the park from 1 to 3 p.m. and bingo will be on-going from 2 to 4 p.m. The bean bag tournament starts at 2 p.m., and the horseshoe tournament goes from 1 to 3 p.m.

Great prizes can once again be won at the raffle, with ticket sales starting at 1 p.m. and the first drawing at 2 p.m. Drawings will be held every half an hour until 5 p.m. Ticket holders must be present to win and have half an hour to claim their prize. The raffle is the biggest Palmer Day fundraiser, all money raised goes toward next year’s event.

Live music will be held at the park throughout the day, including new this year, ‘Music by Angie’ at the beer garden from 4 to 7 p.m. DJ Smokey River will start the music off from 1 to 4 p.m., and the evening will culminate with Honeybadgers from 7 to 11 p.m.

Throughout the day a variety of great food sponsored by area non-profits will be available for purchase, and the Clear Lake Lions beer garden will be open for thirsty attendees.

Event Co-Chair Joanie Ernzer expressed thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors of Palmer Day. Additional volunteers are needed for the day before, the day of, and the day after the event. Anyone interested in helping out can call Ernzer at 320-248-2460.

Registration forms for the parade and 5K Run can be found at Brigg’s Lake Store, McDonald’s Meats and Kinitski’s, and on the Palmer Day website at http://sites.google.com/site/palmerday/.