Friday, June 13
The Paynesville Pirates will play the Regal Eagles at 8 p.m. in Paynesville at the high school ball field.
On June 19-21, the Pirates will host a four-team tournament. On Thursday, June 19, Paynesville will host Lake Henry at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Roscoe will face Regal at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday the losers will play at 4 p.m. and the winners at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 14
A 10k and two-mile walk/run will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, with runners starting at the Regional Park on the south side of Lake Koronis and finishing up at Veteran’s Memorial Park on the north side.
Registration is held at the Veteran’s Memorial Park and then runners are bussed to the starting line. Awards will be presented to the top man and woman winners, prize for first one up half-way hill (Flanders Hill), and first runner with Paynesville address.
Roller-bladers are also encouraged to participate. Anyone interested can contact Jay Thompson, 320-243-3887. Registration fees (includes t-shirts) are $10 in advance, $14 race day and $25 per family.
Sunday, June 15
Peeper’s Family Picnic will be held at noon on Sunday, June 15, at the Gazebo Park in conjunction with an Antique Car and Tractor Show at the elementary school play field. Music will be provided by John Buermann and BAND-A.D.E. The cost of the picnic is an item for the food shelf. Kids games will be held all afternoon with prizes being donated by area businesses.
A doubles tennis tournament will start at 1 p.m. at the high school tennis courts. No preregistration necessary. Bring a new can of balls. Entry fee is $5 per person, payable at the tennis courts on Sunday.
Monday, June 16
The annual queen pageant, to select “Miss Paynesville 1997-98,” will be held at 8 p.m. Monday night, June 16, in the Paynesville Area Elementary School auditorium. There are seven girls competing for the title.
Vying for the title of Miss Paynesville are Nicole Orbeck, Maria Wegner, Anne Nelson, Deanne Neuroth, Tricia Butkofski, Rissa Elliott and Michelle Glenz.
Chamber president Steve Brisendine will extend a welcome to those present. Emcees for the evening are Bert and Judy Stanley. Escorts for the contestants are Mike Putzke, Jesse Spates, and Jeff Meyer. Entertainment will be provided by the 1996 royalty, Queen Kim Kloster and princesses Michaela Merrill and Erin Pelton, and the escorts.
Tuesday, June 17
At 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, June 17, the annual Pet Show will be held on the lawn of the Good Samaritan Care Center. Owners are requested to have all dogs on a leash and carriers available for smaller pets
At 2:30 p.m., the kiddie parade entries will register and line up at the Good Samaritan Care Center and proceed to the Gazebo Park down Washburne Avenue.
Little Miss Dairy Queen and the Dennis the Menace look-a-like at 7 p.m. at the Gazebo Park. Check the Dairy Queen for a list of contestants.
The Merriam Midway will open at noon Tuesday in downtown Paynesville on James Street and runs through Wednesday night. Advance ticket sales will end Monday evening, June 16. Tickets are 25 rides for $10. Community First National Bank, Farmers and Merchants State Bank, Melrose Credit Union, Wally’s G&T, Jerry’s Jack and Jill, Peepers, Corner Drug, and Paynesville Press.
Other festivities on Tuesday and Wednesday include the Rebekah Lodge pie sale starting at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., near the corner of Washburne and James Street; Police Explorers will be selling cheese curds; the Crow River Trail Guards will have a root beer stand; and the Paynesville Lions Hamburger stand will be open between the Community First National Bank and the Paynesvile Post Office, both days as well.
Wednesday, June 18
The grand parade will be held Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. Parade grand marshals are retired postmaster Harold Morris and his wife, Mary Ellen.
Fifteen bands will be marching in the parade. The bands and their sponsors are: Becker High School, Community First National Bank; Elk River Senior High, Corner Floral; Litchfield High School, Paynesville Credit Union; Sartell High School, Peepers Distinctive Eyewear; Anoka Marching Tornadoes, Paynesville Chiroprcatic; St. Michael-Albertville Marching Knights, State Farm Insurance; Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, Wally’s G&T; Bertha-Hewitt High School, Farmers and Merchants State Bank; Foley Falcons, Jacklitch Chiropractic; Monticello High School, Paynesville Jaycees; Sauk Rapids-Rice Cadets, Corner Drug; Sauk Centre, Frauenshuh and Spooner Law Office; Albany, Albany Credit Union; Willmar Marching Cardinals, Family Eye Center; and Paynesville Area High School, Paynesville Press.
Anyone interested in entering a float should contact Mark Leverington, parade chairman, 320-243-7019 (work) or 320-243-7697 (home).
At press time there were about 100 units entered in the parade (including bands). The bands will be professionally judged and will receive report cards on how they were rated. The awards ceremony for the band judging and parade entries will take place at the Gazebo Park immediately following the parade. Spectators are encouraged to attend.