Good Neighbor Days Mean Fun
The annual Good Neighbor Days celebration in Howard Lake features both new and traditional activities, and is always fun. Good Neighbor Days are the fourth weekend in June. Activities begin on Thursday, run through Sunday, and culminate in the coronation Sunday evening of Miss Howard Lake and princesses.
Thursday, for example, often begins with a Queen’s Tea and a banquet catered by a local restaurant, which is sponsored by the Howard Lake Business Association.
On Friday, the fun revs up with a petting zoo, root beer floats at city hall, and a Pee Wee Reese Baseball Tournament at Yager Field. The pee wee tournament is followed by an Orphans Baseball Tournament at Memorial Park.
While the games are played, burgers and fries are available at the fire station.
A Kiddie Parade proceeds through town. After the parade and the Orphans game, Security State Bank and the City of Howard Lake provide a fireworks show. If it rains, the fireworks are postponed to Saturday night, after the championship game.
Saturday fun starts early. There’s a pancake breakfast at Lions Park before the fishing contest. Throughout the day, there is a craft, flea and country market available. Books and food are sold at the community room above the Howard Lake Library.
An annual one-block run starts south of city hall. At the same time, the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted National Honor Society has a car wash fundraiser.
A paper airplane toss is later in the morning, as well as carnival games sponsored by the Good Neighbor Days Royalty Committee.
Usually at noon, there are Minnesota mini-rods and a garden tractor pull, sponsored by the Howard Lake Fire Department and Howard Lake Lions. Noon also is when the fishing contest weigh-in begins.
Saturday afternoon features fun activities, such as dunk tanks, Bingo, turtle races, and fire truck rides for the kids.
In the evening, the fire department often hosts a pork chop dinner.
Sunday is big, too. At 8 a.m. the 5K Run/Walk begins on the northeast side of Howard Lake. A community church service is conducted at the high school gymnasium.
In the afternoon, the Grande Day parade lines up at the Wright County Fairgrounds for a swing through town. There’s live music under the tent, and the coronation tops off the evening. Raffle drawings with big prizes are Sunday evening also.
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