BBQ Days generates old and new excitment

Hedrick BBQ Days returns June 24-26 with old favorites, fun new events, and a whole lot of messy fingers in 2016.

Friday night at 5 p.m. kicks off BBQ Days with pork sandwiches and Root Beer Floats at the Fire Station, and a Pie-Baking Contest later at 6 p.m. The rest of the festivities take place on Main Street, including a Car Cruise, new Vendor Fair, music by Odyssey and Double Dose, and dancing.

Saturday morning starts anew with breakfast at the Hedrick American Legion 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and with the Fox Trot-5k or 1 mile run and walk on Main Street. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. this year, as opposed to 10 a.m. in previous years. In addition to events like the softball tournament, Hedrick Firemen Water Games and tractor pull, BBQ Days organizer Mike Mefford is adding a few new activities this year.

“Compared to years in the past, the planning committee and I are trying to do things different and add more to BBQ Days,” Mefford said.

Those include a Vendor area both Friday and Saturday, more food Saturday night, and a Cornhole tournament. Adding Cornhole, also known as Bean Bag, was a way to get more people of all ages involved. In years past, there had been a period between Saturday morning and night that left some people without an activity they wished to participate in.

“We were trying to figure out something in the afternoon for everyone from 10 years old to adults can play,” Mefford said. “The pairing will be a random, but I’m expecting some upsets on our first year hosting this.”

Adding the Cornhole tournament is the biggest change from last year, but many of the activities residents and guests have come to love remain. The parade, other than a later start time, will stay true to its form. This year’s theme is “Hedrick Helping Hands”, with Jim and Lois Proctor serving as the Grand Marshals of the parade.

“The theme is about thanking the people in our community who have helped our city along, like the Proctors,” Ann Spilman, Hedrick City Clerk said. “They helped with the renovation of the civic center and keeping the center going with several events.”

Another event Mefford is highly involved in is BINGO from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Civic Center. More than $2,500 in prizes will be available this year, according to Mefford. Up for grabs are hotel stays, cash prizes, grills, photography packages, bed and breakfast, vouchers/giftcards, meat bundles, oil changes, car details, and a year’s supply of ice cream from Culvers.

“BBQ Days is growing in interest for the first time in awhile,” Mefford said. “We have a lot of people excited this year and we’re looking forward to it.”