Tara’s Takes
The end of the summer is here. For every kid who is probably moaning with the start of the new school year right around the corner, there is a parent who is celebrating all that this time of the year brings.
First, while my kids are older — and with two drivers in the family — they can get themselves and each other to most events. I love the routine of the school year. I love knowing that they will arrive at school and I’ll hear from them at the end of the day or after practice. It also means that if I do hear from them during the day it is an emergency. And not the summer emergency of, “Mom, I know you’re busy at work but can you get milk on the way home?”
I also love fall. The change of weather, football season, bonfires, the leaves — everything about it.
And finally, the end of summer marks the World’s Only Box Car Days!
I’ve attended many small town festivals and I can say Tracy puts on a celebration like none other. Tracy provides a full three-day weekend of never-ending activities. It isn’t geared to just one crowd. Music lovers? Entertainment in the beer tent Friday and Sunday and the Saturday night street dance.
Got kids with lots of energy? Kids Day in Central Park will keep them busy all day. And, of course, the midway downtown.
Ready to take the weekend off cooking? The famous Lions stand will be back in business this weekend. We kick off Box Car Days with the burger night. Start your day Saturday with Kegs and Eggs and a Bloody Mary. Have a pork burger at the museum Saturday. Enjoy a taste of fun with a variety of food vendors and the midway selections. Celebrate Labor Day with the annual Fly-In Drive-In breakfast at the airport.
Want to be more active? We’ve got a full line up sports-related fun. Softball tournament, bean bag tournament, golf tournament, mud volleyball, pickle ball tournament. You could be a champion all weekend long.
Maybe you just look forward to reconnecting with friends and neighbors this weekend. The beer tent and bingo stand are both great places to meet up with friends. Stop by the beer tent after the parade to see who is kissing the pig this year.
The Miss Tracy scholarship program Sunday is always a crowd pleaser. Honestly, the amount of time and energy the candidates and the directors put into this show is amazing. They have put in countless hours this summer to pull together a show that highlights the very talented future we have in Tracy.
And, of course, the grand parade at 1 p.m. Monday is the best parade around, hands down.
But as I list the many things above — and know I don’t have everything — what you may not see this weekend is the huge number of volunteers who give of their time to make this weekend a success. The Amiret Busy Bees emptying garbages early in the morning. The many hands that put up the bingo stand and bar and then take it all down again. The volunteers that set up and run the various tournaments. The never-ending number of people who are working in the beer tent over the weekend.
Box Car Days is a community celebration because of the people of our community who donate their time.
While we are celebrating Tracy’s 150th this summer, Box Car Days isn’t far behind at 98. That’s something we should be proud of.
So, enjoy this weekend, be friendly to our visitors and invite them back, and thank a volunteer.
