Ayr Days this weekend
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Ayr Days 2019 is set to kickoff tomorrow (Friday, September 13) and run through Saturday.
The theme of this year’s event is “Space Walking in the Ayr,” a tribute to Ringgold County native and NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Whitson will serve as parade marshal and be recognized following Saturday’s parade at a dedication ceremony of the rock placed in her honor on the southwest corner of the square.
Whitson holds the record for most time in space by a NASA astronaut and for most number of space walks accomplished during her three missions to the International Space Station. Whitson is also the first woman to command the station.
Whitson was raised in Beaconsfield and is a 1978 graduate of Mount Ayr Community High School.
Friday
Pre-registration for the “Ringgold’s Got Talent” competition will be open all day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The new talent show replaces the “Ayr Idol” competition from year’s past.
It’s a competition for all ages….singers, dancers, musical groups, hidden talents, etc.
Cash prizes will be awarded for first and second places in both kids and adults division.
“Even if someone wanted to tell a knock knock joke, please encourage them to sign up with me!” said event host Korbie Rinehart.
A $10 entry fee is due by 6 p.m. Friday. Multiple entries are allowed.
Contact Korbie Rinehart at 615-305-7030 for more information.
A bags tournament sponsored by the Ringgold Outdoor Alliance will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on the east side of the square.
The Outdoor
Alliance will also provide music on the main stage from 6-9 p.m.
DJ Cowboy David Browns will provide music, from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by Still Smokin’ BBQ.
Saturday
A full day of activity gets underway at 7:30 a.m. with the Mount Ayr Lions Club pancake breakfast under the courthouse shelter. Serving will run until 9:30 a.m.
With registration opening at 7:30 a.m. at the west door of the courthouse, the Ayr Days Marketplace will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the court yard.
Registration for the parade will take place at the corner of Fillmore and Jefferson streets about two blocks north of the square.
The parade itself will get underway at 10 a.m. featuring parade marshal Peggy Whitson.
The Mount Ayr Lions Club train and swing attraction will provide free rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the east side of the square.
Another free attraction for the kids is the inflatables that will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the courtyard. The Ringgold Outdoor Alliance is sponsoring the event.
A pie and ice cream social will be held in the Ringgold County Senior Citizens Activity Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Mount Ayr Public Library, Renee Roed will appraise antiques from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library basement.
Registration for both the volleyball and 3-on-3 basketball tournament will take place at the Outdoor Alliance lot on the east side of the square beginning at 10:30 a.m.
A special dedication ceremony of the rock honoring Peggy Whitson will take place at 11 a.m. on the southwest corner of the courtyard.
Lunch will be served in two locations.
The Mount Ayr First Christian Church will serve beef burgers and walking tacos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church located on the southwest corner of the square.
The Sons of American Legion will offer grilled pork loin sandwiches under the courtyard shelter from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The volleyball tournament will get underway at 11 a.m. on the Outdoor Alliance lot on the east side of the square.
Homemade ice cream and a 50/50 raffle sponsored by the Princess Theater Troupe will be held from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Princess Theater.
The motorcycle and car show will be on display from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the south side of the square while the tractor display will fill the west side of the square.
The preliminary round of the Ringgold’s Got Talent competition will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the main stage.
From 1-3 p.m., the public is invited to meet their local emergency responders at the corner of Polk and Jefferson streets. The event will include a tentative landing of the LifeNet Air Med helicopter, Ringgold County Ambulance Service, Mount Ayr volunteer firemen, and Ringgold County Sheriff’s officers. In addition, RCSO deputy Landon White will conduct a performance demonstration by K-9 Heky in the lot north of Lucky Lanes.
A “Kids’ Fit Corner” sponsored by Hy-Vee will run from 1-4 p.m. in the south courtyard.
A photo booth sponsored by Indigo Ag regional account manager Eddie Dailey will operate from from 1-5 p.m. on the south courtyard.
Ringgold County Conservation Director Kate Zimmerman will demonstrate tagging of Monarch butterflies from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on the southwest corner of the courtyard.
The Ringgold Outdoor Alliance will provide music from 2-6 p.m.
The Hawkeye Pedal Pull will get started at 2 p.m. on the east side of the square.
Also at 2 p.m., Ringgold County deputy Landon White and his partner K-9 Heky will provide an informational demonstration in the Outdoor Alliance lot on the east side of the square.
The 3-on-3 basketball tournament will tip off at 3 p.m. on the east side of the square. Registration for the Trent Stewart Memorial 5K and 2K run/slogs will open at 4 p.m. in front of the Princess Theater. The race is set to begin at 5 p.m.
Kids’ water fights will run from 5-6 p.m. on the west side of the square. the event is sponsored by the Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department.
The annual Hy-Vee Chicken Wings for Charity event will open at 6 p.m. in the barbecue area near the main stage.
At 6 p.m. the Ringgold’s Got Talent finalists will take the main stage.
Awards for winners of the Trent Stewart Memorial Run will be announced at the main stage at 6:15 p.m.
The full day will conclude with music by Rusty Lafoon, a live band from Kansas City, performing from 8 p.m. to midnight.
