Sugarbeet festival returns to Chinook

The Chinook Sugarbeet Festival starts up again Friday, with the focus being community pride, said Chinook Area Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Pratt.

The event was not held last year, but returns in strength for 2018, Pratt said.

This year, the Sugarbeet Festival parade will have no theme for the first time its 14 years, Pratt said, adding that this year’s parade is to stress community pride and is open to different possibilities for floats.

In the past, the parade themes were done in support of and to celebrate the different industries around Chinook, but with most of the industries now covered, it is time to celebrate the community, Pratt said.

The Farm Service Agency will have horses for the parade.

She added that the parade will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. It starts at Meadowlark School at 632 New York St., runs north and then circles back to the school.

At 11 a.m. Saturday there will also be a dunk tank on Indiana Street next to the Blaine County Wildlife Museum to support the Jesse James Foundation, Pratt said.

The foundation was started by Ruth Dannels after her son died while in high school, Pratt said. She added that the foundation was started in his memory to raise money to help fund things at schools.

The dunk tank will have Blaine County Sheriff candidate Undersheriff Frank Billmayer, his opponent, Lt. John Colby, Chinook Police Chief Elmer Zarn, local teachers and others.

Pratt said a color run will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. where participants can run or walk and be splashed with paint during the event. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume, because prizes will be given for best costumes, the website said.

The event will start at the First Bank entrance at 337 Indiana St., Pratt said. All profits will be donated to the community organizations in Blaine County, and all children must be accompained by and adult, the Sugarbeet Festival website said.  

The Sugarbeet Festival was started 14 year ago, Pratt said, to bring the community together and celebrate what the community was founded on and it’s unique area, adding that this year that is exactly what they are planning to do.

The festival will also have around 20 vendors Friday, from 1 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., including two food trucks.

Pratt said she is very excited for this year’s festival, adding that the Chamber of Commerce likes putting together the festival to support local businesses and bring new businesses in. She said she hopes that this year will be larger than last year and that everyone will have a good time.

Schedule for Chinook Sugarbeet Festival

Friday

7 to 10 a.m .: Fall Health Screening with EKG person available ($20) at Wallner Hall.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m .: Blaine County Museum (regular admission)

4 to 5 p.m .: Business decorating contest judging

5:30 to 7:30 p.m .: Potluck Tailgating at Hoon Field

7 p.m .: Chinook High School football game at Hoon Field

Saturday

8 to 10 a.m .: Dan’s Auto Parts Pancake Breakfast at the senior center

8 to 11 a.m .: Decorated Sugarbeet entries by the Wells Fargo Building

9 to 11 a.m .: Dutch oven cooking contest begins at the Assembly of God Church

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m .: Car show at fairgrounds (all people and vehicles welcome)

10 a.m .: to 5 p.m. Blaine County Museum (regular admission)

11 a.m .: Sugarbeet judging

11 a.m .: Story walk for library starting at the library (door prizes available)

Noon: Live music played by Sax Cadillac on Main Street

Noon: 3-on-3 Basketball on the street by First Bank

12:30 p.m .: Dutch oven cooking contest judging

2 p.m .: Stockgrowers event at fairgrounds (cow doctoring competition)

3:30 p.m .: Line-up for parade

4 p.m .: Parade

5:30 p.m .: Community barbecue at Centenniel Park

6 p.m .: Horseshoe tournament at fairgrounds prizes available ($20 per team)

9 p.m .: Live band Plowed Under and community street dance Indiana Street

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For more information go to the Chinook Sugarbeet Festival website at http://sugarbeetfest.com/.