Ox Cart Days 2019 begins Monday, August 12 and continues through Sunday, August 18. This year is the 30th anniversary of Ox Cart Days which began in 1989 and Ox Cart Days Committee Chair Jess Bengston said they have a full week of activities. “This is our 30th anniversary year,” said Bengston. “Ox Cart Days has been going since 1989. We have a full week scheduled this year, Monday through Sunday. Starting with Monday, we will start the KROX/Happy Joes’s Treasure Hunt reveal on Valley Talk every morning throughout the week. We have patio party lunches throughout the week. Drafts food truck will be at the Wayne Hotel Parking Lot Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Daroos will have the patio party lunch. Thursday the lunch will be at the VFW, and they will have the little gathering there. Monday night we will have our big fundraiser which is ‘Taste of Crookston’ with Tim Eggebraaten playing at the Crookston Eagles Club. We’ll have a bunch of organizations, businesses, and clubs offering samples and food. The Eagles will have a taco bar too.”
Events continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, including the first clue for the medallion hunt said, Bengston. “Tuesday we’ll have our Hugo’s Ox Cart Days Cookout,” said Bengston. “Following that will be the Hugo’s Family Marketplace Supermarket Sweep Contest. We’ll be announcing our second contest on Thursday on Valley Talk. Also, that night will be the Little Miss and Junior Miss Crookston Pageants at the high school. Wednesday, we’ll have the Veterans Recognition Ceremony and Ice Cream Social together at the campus mall at UMC. The medallion hunt first clue will be right after that followed by the RiverView Youth Dodgeball Tournament at the [UMC] Wellness Center.”
The schedule starts to ramp up for the weekend with a BMX show Thursday, Rib Fest and live music according to Bengston. “Thursday we’ll have the Skateboard and BMX show on Ash St,” said Bengston. “Followed by the Downtown Horns on the Downtown Square stage where many of the events will be hosted Thursday through Sunday. We’ll have the debut of C-Town mini-golf and the Lions Rib Fest which will be the premier food event that evening. Friday morning things will kick off with the Police and Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast at the Crookston Fire Department. Friday night we’ll have a new event called ‘Laid Back Luau’ featuring the Island Time steel drum band. We’ll have beer tasting from Revelation Ale and Drafts, and the traditional Miss Crookston pageant will be at the high school. The Eagles will be hosting the Miss Tootsie Pageant.”
Bengston said Saturday will include fireworks, the traditional torchlight parade, and the popular Johnny Holm Band while Sunday will feature many family activities. “Saturday will have the 5k/10k/Little Tyles Run on Second St, the Pickleball Tournament at Schuster Park, and the meet and greet with special guest oxen team Biscuit and Gravy at the Red River Shows building,” said Bengston. “At the Sports Center will have a Bloody Mary Bar and Adult Dodgeball Tournament. That evening will be the traditional Torchlight parade presented by the Lions Club, a glow party and street dance with the Johnny Holm Band followed by the downtown fireworks. Sunday is a fun day for the family. We have the Pickleball Tournament will wrap up that morning. Video games on the big screen, bouncy houses, golf cart train rides, pony rides, mini-golf and music by the Jensen Sisters. The Crookston Fire Department will have Water Wars right on Ash St.”
Bengston said it’s probably a good idea to get the buttons ahead of time before they run out. Buttons to get into events can be purchased for $5 at various locations around town. “There are lots of events with tons to do,” said Bengston. “All you need is a $5 button. You can get them at Hugo’s, Erickson Embroidery, Happy Joe’s, True Value Hardware, or from the Ox Cart Committee. Or ask around as everybody seems to have them this time around. Pocket Schedules are available as well and visit our website for all information.”
There are many more events and activities throughout the week, all of which can be found by going to www.crookstonoxcartdays.com.