99th annual celebration once again has some fun twists
Box Car Days has long been known for its competitions. From softball, mud volleyball and golf tournaments, to corn hole, pickleball and pedal pull contests, Tracy’s annual Labor Day weekend affair inspires plenty of friendly battles.
This year, you can add a pie eating contest, which will make its debut at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4.
The new event is one more example of the Tracy Area Chamber of Commerce’s push to make everyone’s favorite four-day party better than the one before — and if you think the Chamber is looking past the 99th annual celebration, that’s just not true.
“You’re always looking ahead to the following year as you’re planning the current year,” said Box Car Day Committee member Jay Fultz. “We do have our band booked for the 100th already … we’re looking at some different things, but right now, we’re pretty much focused in on the 99th.”
Calling it a pie eating contest is a bit misleading, as there actually won’t be pies being consumed. Instead, competitors will be tasked with finishing off a bowl full of whipped cream that is disguising Oreo cookies.
Sound easy? Here’s the catch: You can’t use your hands.
“It’s going to be fantastic,” Fultz said with a sly grin. “We have three different age groups — I expect it to be messy.” Another new attraction this year will be a pulled pork meal being served up by the Tracy Fire Department; food will be served from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Another foodrelated event will take place later Saturday, as Pizza, Puzzles & Guzzles returns for another year.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food. The Chamber’s Burger Night kicks off the fun Friday, and karaoke is coming back that night, but don’t stay out too late, as Kegs & Eggs will begin early Saturday morning.
“Friday is the day when we thank all the volunteers,” Fultz said. “Box Car Days is three full days, and it takes a lot of hands, so we want to say thank you to everyone who pitches in.”
• GET YOUR BUTTON! Box Car Days buttons are now on sale for $8 at the Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center. A button will get you free admissoin to the museum all weeked.
Runners (and walkers) can work up their appetite for eggs Saturday morning, when they hit the road for the Box Car Day Road Race, which traditionally took place on Monday morning.
“I think the move from Monday was a positive mood, just helps space things out a little bit,” Fultz said. “It gives you something to do right away Saturday morning.”
Other tasty offerings include the popular Lion’s Food Stand, which will be open within the commotion the midway all weekend; Dad’s Belgian Waffles Sunday morning; the Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast Monday morning; the St. Mary’s Food Stand, also Monday. There will also be a number of food stands open during the weekend.
Another attraction that will be open all weekend is the Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center and its antique tractor show. Speaking of the museum, Box Car Days buttons are on sale.
The midway will open at 4 p.m. Saturday with Arm Band Night from 6-10 p.m. Arm bands will also be sold Sunday. And if you’re a little skittish when it comes to rides, there are plenty of other things to do, like bingo, a farmer’s market at Cinnamon Hen and various forms of entertainment, including a free street dance courtesy of Box Car Wind, featuring Junk FM at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
“They play all the hits that WE love, plus some others,” Fultz said, with emphasis on the “we,” as Junk FM plays a lot of ‘80s hits, as well as music from the ’90s and ‘00s. “It’s free for anyone.”
Saturday also features the Kiddie Parade; registration is at 12:30 p.m., and the parade will begin at 1 p.m. from Sanford’s back parking lot.
Central Park will be the place to be Sunday if you’re a kid, because there will be bounce houses, a pedal pull, face painting and Tae Kwon Do demonstrations.
The Miss Tracy Scholarship Program will start at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. There are 11 Tracy Area High School seniors vieing for this year’s crown (look for a preview of the program in next week’s paper).
“The ladies do such a fantastic job; they work their tails off,” Fultz said. “They started practices way back in June — all of the girls have their talents down. It’s going to be fantastic.”
The Grand Parade is at 1 p.m. sharp on Monday, and that is followed by everyone’s favorite Chamber fundraiser, Kiss the Pig. Lucky contestants this year for the Chamber fundraiser are Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallen, Shane Daniels, Mallory Fultz, and, straight from the pages of the Headlight, Tara Brandl and Per Peterson. Collection boxes for each contestant will be placed at Food Pride, Tattle Tales and Minnwest Bank, and all you have to do to vote is place some cash inside; the contestants with the most money collected will be the winner (or loser, depending on their perspective).
“It’s something unique,” said Fultz, who brings the pig in from his farm. “The people that we’ve had participating in the past have been great sports. Whoever wins, actually gets a pig that will be processed for them. It’s just a lot of fun.”
More than 40 businesses and organizations are sponsoring this year’s Box Car Days; it’s that kind of city-wide support, Fultz said, that allows the Chamber to bring so much to fun-seekers.
“The sponsors really make this thing go,” he said. “We greatly appreciate, not only the monetary donations — a lot of our sponsors donate time as well. Them, and all the volunteers are what really makes this thing go.”
Fultz said if anyone is interested in lending a hand this year, they can call the Chamber to sign up. A complete schedule of the 99th BCD can be found on the back page of this week’s paper.
The FLY-IN/DRIVE-IN BREAKFAST at the Tracy Municipal Airport is one of many family-friendly Box Car Days traditions. Tracy Area Headlight Herald file photo
