Plans have been announced for the Ayr Days celebration and fifth annual Smokin’ in the Ayr barbecue contest to be held Friday through Sunday, July 23-25 in Mount Ayr.
Activities begin Friday, July 23, with music on the square and bike night registration at Peggy Sue’s. The barbecue groups will be moving into position around the square and get their smokers going. Billy Hightshoe will D.J. music from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and the Axis Band from Des Moines will be playing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the square.
Saturday, July 24, activities get underway with a Lions Club breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a bake sale at the First Christian Church on the southwest side of the square.
There will be a prince and princess contest at 9 a.m. at the courthouse assembly room and the Midwesterners will play from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the stage.
A number of events begin at 10 a.m. They include a pedal tractor pull on the east side of the square and the tractor show on the north side of the square, a motorcycle and car show on the south side of the square, free antique appraisal with Renee Roed in the Mount Ayr Public Library basement and pie and ice cream at the Senior Citizen Activity Center. The kid’s inflatables and games will open at 10 a.m. as well.
At 10:30 a.m. the prince and princess contest will get underway. Lunch booths with beef burgers and walking tacos at the First Christian Church and pork loins grill by the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion will be served beginning at 11 a.m.
There will be a baby contest for ages one to three years of age on the state at noon with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Also beginning at noon are three on three basketball, three points and slam dunk contests in front of the post office.
Leslie’s Dance Emporium will take the stage from 1 to 2 p.m. in the courthouse assembly room and the Conklin Family will be singing on the stage during the same period.
An open house to celebrate the Depot Museum’s 10th anniversary will be held from 2 to 3 p.m.
From 2:15 to 3 p.m. Leslie Lovell will be giving dance lessons on the street by the stage.
The Ayr Days parade with the theme “Corn” will be held at 3 p.m. with kiddie parade and regular parades.
At 4 p.m. the barbecue contest tasting begins. Those wanting to sample the meat cooked by the contest entries in ribs, pork and brisket will begin eating.
Also at 4 p.m. the Sondogs take the stage with music. There will be fireman water fights on the west side of the square beginning at 5 p.m.
From 6:30 to 9 p.m. the Rhythm Kings will perform and at 7 p.m. the barbecue contest winners will be named. Prizes will be awarded in each of the meat categories and a people’s choice award will also be offered.
Billy Hightshoe will D. J. music from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. to finish off the day.
On Sunday, July 25, there will be a fun horse show at the Ringgold county fair grounds beginning at 2 p.m. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m.