Garner prepares to celebrate 150+1 years!

The party is almost here! After a year-long postponement in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Garner community will celebrate the 151^stanniversary of it's founding this weekend! An expanded Duesey Days will take place July 8-11.

(Editor’s Note: A complete schedule of Duesey Days events is on page 13)

Thursday, July 8

Self-guided history tours of State Street will take place 5-8 p.m. on Thursday The Red Elevator will be open to the public during these times. There will be special displays at various businesses.

On Thursday evening, a special 7 p.m. showing of “Two Ways Home” will be at the Avery Theatre. “Two Ways Home was filmed in Garner and the surrounding area in 2013. An informal meet and greet with actors Tanna Frederick, Kathy Douglas and screenwriter Richard Schinnow will be at 6:30 p.m.

Evening events at the park include the Mr. and Mrs. Sesquicentennial Contest and a dance recital from Nichole’s Dance Studio.

A video history of Garner, developed by Lynn Smith, will be shown on the Duesey Days stage at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 9

Stage entertainment on Friday evening incudes a performance by the “Piano Man” from at 5-6 p.m. and again 7-9 p.m. 

A garden of little ladies will vie for the title of Little Miss Duesey at 6 p.m. Little Miss Duesey is hosted by the Garner Wa-Tan-Ye Club.

It’s not too late to sign up for the Corn Hole Tournament. Registration is $20 per team. Registration is at 5 p.m. The tournament begins at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 10

Saturday starts “bright ‘n early” with the 10K/2 mile race. Registration is at 6:30 a.m. Race information is available at www.garneriowa.org.

“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” is the theme of the 2021 Duesey Days parade. The gala parade begins at 10 a.m. 

It wouldn’t be Duesey Days without a car show! The car show will run from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

After the parade, head to the park for food, fun, and fellowship! An All-Class Reunion tent will be set up on the west side of Central Park from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

From 12 noon to 3 p.m. Stellar Industries and IMT are sponsoring live demonstrations of equipment, a paint simulator and actual welding.

Stage events include music by Raiders of the Lost Art Band; the River City Barbershop Chorus (Garner members), and a beard contest!

Calling all gamers! A Retro Video Game Tournament, sponsored by JAM dj systems, will be held Garner Education Center, 327 W. 8^th St. beginning 1 p.m. Registration is at 12:30 p.m. Contestants are limited to the first 64 contestants who register. More information about the tournament and prizes is on the JAM website: www.jockeyandmusic.com

The music continues into Saturday evening. The stage will move to State Street. The band, Sorry for Last Night, will be the opener for the featured band, The Mud Dogs. Ticket information at available in the Garner Chamber of Commerce website.

Sunday, July 11

The self-guided history tours of State Street resume from noon to 4 p.m. 

A church service and community hymn sing will be held at Central Park from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs.

Volunteers are still needed to assist at the beer gardens, move barricades, run children’s games, and help man Chamber of Commerce booth. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 923-3993 if interested.