Prairie Days
Prairie Days, in mid-June, are three days of entertainment which vary from year to year. The event is put on by the Prairie Days committee and community volunteers.
Some of the bigger events include a carnival with rides, kiddie parade, kid games, evening dances with live music, softball games, walk/run, volleyball, horseshoes, and an annual basketball tournament, called the Bulldog Shoot-Out. The shoot-out takes place in the Lester Prairie school gym and draws more than 70 teams from the area, some from as far away as St. Cloud. Both men and women’s divisions in elementary, junior high, B-squad, high school, and post-high school compete.
If you work up an appetite playing or watching basketball, the Lions and the fire department make sure there is enough food on hand, including burgers, hot dogs, as well as beer and other cold beverages.
Saturday of Prairie Days features a demolition derby and a parade, with fireworks provided by First Community Bank of Lester Prairie.
An outdoor church service, followed by a matching funds breakfast are on Sunday.
Prairie Days is a fund raising project for the Lester Prairie Fire Department, Lester Prairie Relief Association, and other worthy local projects.
Prairie Days coronation
The Lester Prairie royalty coronation, conducted by the Lester Prairie Ambassador Program, is another highlight of Prairie Days.
Coronation takes place Saturday in the Lester Prairie High School gym, but the program lasts all year long. The program is open to young women under the age of 22, who are at least high school seniors. Candidates are judged on personality, community involvement, academic achievement, and future plans.
Candidates participate in the Prairie Days parade before the three new ambassadors are named. The royalty then goes on to representthe community of Lester Prairie at parades, fund raisers, and coronations in other communities during their year-long reign.
Prairie Days Committee
To be involved in planning and producing Prairie Days, you can join the Prairie Days Committee. It meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m. at the fire hall in Lester Prairie.
For more information, contact LaJean Hoof at (320) 395-2615.
