By Ron VandenBoom
Its time once again to kick up your heels, strap on the feed bag, and walk, run, or crawl to the annual Western Days celebration Saturday, Sept. 11, in Chinook.
A full day of activities is planned beginning at 8 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast. As in past years, the northern end of Indiana Street will be blocked off and tables will be set up in the street between the two sponsors of the event, L and L Pizza and Dans Auto Parts.
A menu of pancakes, link sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, orange juice, and plenty of syrup, promise to start this years Western Days off right.
You may want to be a fast eater and a fast runner if youre one of the participants in the Western Days Fun Run or Walk.
Registration for the event begins at 7:30 a.m. with warm up from 8-8:15 a.m. on Indiana Street across the street from Western Bank.
Registration fees are $9 per runner with a special Western Days T-shirt and $5 without. A special family package can be had for $35. It is also possible to Preregister by contacting Nancy Hansen at 357-2549 or Karen Kunz at 357-4197.
The three-mile race begins at 8:30 a.m. with the one-mile race starting at 9:30 a.m.
Awards will be presented to the first place adult male and female and certificates will be presented to the other age groups at a ceremony scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
Visitors may want to take a few moments to check out the craft booths and whatever food booths set up in Centennial Park and in Chamber Park on Indiana Street. Many businesses will also be having sidewalk sales that will offer the casual browser extra savings.
Its the perfect way to spend time before the start of the Annual Pet and Doll Parade at noon. The parade is open to any child wishing to participate. There is no preregistration and line-up begins at 11:15 a.m. on the Chinook High School lawn.
Be prepared for the return to Chinook of the PRCA Rodeo that starts at 1 p.m. at the fairgrounds. The cost is only $5 for a complete afternoon of bronc busting action.
But dont forget to take a break about 6 p.m. to attend the Annual Chinook Chamber of Commerce Barbecue in Sweet Memorial Park.
A dinner of hamburgers, corn on the cob, beans and a beverage will be yours for $4 or $3 if you are 6-12 years-of-age. It wont cost you a dime if you are younger than six.
A big meal and a brief respite under the old shade tree should make you ready to dance. And dance you can at the barn dance in the commercial building on the fairgrounds at 9 p.m. Admission to the dance is only $5.
Its an entire day of fun and games that celebrates the best Chinook has to offer.
