The 71st Annual Dutch Festival is this weekend in Edgerton. After not getting to have a Dutch Festival last year because of COVID-19 restrictions, the theme this year is “We’re Back!”

Of course, one of the main attractions is the parade, which will be held on Friday evening only, beginning at 6 p.m. The parade route will be the same as two years ago, with the entries lining up on Mechanic Street and then traveling north on Mechanic, east on Ash Street and then south on Main Street.

Anyone and everyone are encouraged to create a float – families, friends, businesses, or neighborhood groups.  The committee is inviting people to recreate a winning float from the past. Some of the big winners from the last few years include: Jamaican Vacation, Christmas Vacation, MASH, Sweatin’ to the Oldies, the Bandit, The Sound of Music, Dumb and Dumber, Legends of the 70’s, and many more!

The top float will receive $1,000! Second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $200.

The committee plans that all the fun and excitement that people have come to expect from the Dutch Festival will be back, too! Some of those returning events begin on Thursday with the inflatables. The Bull Ride and Mutton Bustin’ event return on Friday evening. Other repeat events are a corn hole tournament, tractor show, and probably the one thing that many are excited about – the Hairball concert on Saturday night.

When Hairball came to town in 2019, rain put a damper on the event. This year, the Dutch Festival Committee asked permission from the city and the okay of property owners in the central business district and moved the concert to Main Street.  Hairball does not play until 10 p.m. Saturday night, with an opening act by Hicktown Mafia beginning at 8 a.m. Tickets for this and other events are available in advance at the Edgerton Enterprise office, Edgerton Food Center, First State Bank Southwest, and at the Chandler Co-op C-store in Edgerton.

Concert attendees are invited to dress in 1980’s rock band clothing. The winner of the best costume will receive $100 cash.

Other events that are “back” are the SWCH food stand at the park, the pancake breakfast on Saturday morning at the EMS building, swimming contests at the city pool, a craft and vendor fair at the city park, a fishing contest, the pedal pull, and the Dutch Fun Run.

In 2019, the Dutch Festival featured a BMX bike show that was very well received, so the committee decided to bring that event back again. They will be showing off their jumps and stunts on Saturday. At the conclusion of their day, a BMX bike will be given away to one lucky attendee.

One new event this year includes the Gould Brothers Shooting exhibition on Saturday at 6 p.m. They will be demonstrating their shooting skills behind diamond 3 at the city ballfields. These guys entertain with their trick shooting and unforgettable talent and the event is absolutely free.

Another new event will be a kiddie parade at Edgebrook Care Center on Thursday. The parade starts at 3:30 p.m. and children are invited to decorate their bikes, wagons, and scooters, and drive around Edgebrook Care Center for the benefit and enjoyment of the care center residents who cannot attend the festival. Participants are encouraged to dress in red, white, and blue!

You’ll want to consult the schedule for all these events – which is published on the back page of this edition. You can also look online at Facebook to find the events on the Dutch Festival page.