
SPUD FEST Medallion
This year will mark four and a half decades of the Big Lake town celebration “Spudfest”. For 45 years this community event has been bringing family and friends together for four days of fun and fabulous events and activities. The festival will begin Thursday with Spud Family Night at the Big Lake Public Library from 3:30 until 5:30. Come and compete in a good old-fashioned cake walk, listen to the RSVP Readers Theatre and sing and dance along with the Flemming Fold in Concert.
Carnival
The carnival will be kicking off Thursday at 6pm. Pre-sale wristbands can be purchased at Coborn’s and KleinBank for $20. Wristbands purchased at the carnival will cost $25. Get the mega pass and ride the entire weekend for $50, which is good all weekend for all hours during carnival times and must be purchased in advance. Carnival hours are: Thursday from 6pm until 10pm including wristbands, Friday 3pm until close with wristbands from 6pm until 10pm, Saturday noon to close, with wristbands from noon to 5pm and Sunday noon until 5pm, with wristbands from noon to 4pm.
Advanced ticket sales end on Thursday at 3pm. However, if attending the Spudfest family night at the Big Lake Library Thursday between 3:30 and 5:30, they can still be purchased at the advanced price and will be the last chance to get them at these prices!
Entertainment
There will be a lot of entertainment taking place over the four-day festival, beginning Thursday at 7pm with open mic night, which is for kids 17 and under. They will be able to show off their talents whatever they may be and have a lot of fun while doing it! Back by popular demand, the 3rd Lair Skateboard and Bike Expo. Bring the bike or board and ride on over to participate on the very fun makeshift skate park Friday and Saturday from 2 until 8pm. The weekend’s softball tournament will begin Friday at 5pm with the Big Lake Police Department taking on their rival, the Big Lake Fire Department. 2 Mile Final will be on the main stage Friday being at 8pm and fireworks will take place at dusk. Saturday will be packed full of activities and entertainment starting at 8am with the softball tournaments continuing and the Spud Run Riders breakfast and rally at Tootsies Tavern.
The current Big Lake Ambassador will be ending their reign as they will start a new journey in life. The coronation with junior Ambassador Pageant will be held at the Big Lake High School starting at 1pm. Dance Caravan will be performing on the main stage Saturday beginning at 12:30 and Dazzling Dave the Yoyo Master will have two shows the first start at 2pm and the second at 5pm. Live music will be performed by Skitzo Fonik on the mail stage beginning at 8pm. Sunday at Spudfest beginning at 11am Smitty’s Amateur Fiddler competition will take place and live entertainment provided by Jazmin and the Gents on the main stage afterwards. The Big Lake PTSO will be sponsoring the kids pedal pull starting at 3pm with registration beginning at 2:30.
BINGO and Buttons
Hours the BINGO tent will be open are Friday from 6 to 10pm with blackout starting at 9:30, Saturday from 1 until 10 pm with blackout beginning at 9:30 and on Sunday from 1 to 5pm with blackout starting at 4:30. Spudfest buttons are being sold by the Big Lake Ambassador Candidates for only $1. Buy and wear a button to show your support for the Big Lake Spudfest.
If you have your button on during Spudfest weekend and are playing bingo, you could win a prize just for wearing it! Buttons will also be sold at the bingo tent during the week-end.
Big Lake Parade
There will be lots to see and plenty of candy to collect during Saturday’s parade. The parade will begin at 11 with line up starting at 9 a.m. The route will be the same as years past, down Eagle Lake Road from Park Avenue, turning onto Minnesota Ave. and ending on Minnesota Ave in front of the Independence Elementary School. There will be judging for parade contestants and the top three entries will win a prize, so don’t forget to sign up to participate. Back by popular demand is the Benson marching band, the St. Cloud Drumline and of course the Shriners!
Food and beverage
Friday from 4pm to 10pm the Big Lake Knights of Columbus will be serving a delicious pork dinner and other concessions at a very reasonable price. Don’t cook at home. Bring the entire family to eat without having to break the bank. The Knights of Columbus will also be
selling concessions on Saturday from noon until 9pm in the main food tent. Sunday from 8:30 until noon the Big Lake Lions will cook up a yummy potato pancake breakfast. The cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, kids ages five through 12 is $6 and kids five and under are free! So come out and enjoy potato pancakes, sausage and scrambled egg as well as juice, milk or coffee. The beer tent will be open Friday from 6pm until 11:30pm, Saturday from 12:30 until 11:30pm and Sunday from noon until 5pm. Everyone will be carded so be sure to bring an ID. And of course there will be mini doughnuts, ice cream and all kinds of carnival foods!
The Medallion has yet to be found
Every year for Spudfest there is a medallion hidden and it has not yet been found. It is tricky as you might have to use your fifth sense to seek it out. The medallion has been hidden on public land somewhere in Big Lake. The six- inch diameter medallion will be in plain sight, so no digging is necessary. The prize for finding the medallion is $150 with a Spudfest button. However if you find the medallion and have not purchased a button you would receive $50.
The clues can be found every Saturday in the West Sherburne Tribune.
Clue #1- The medallion is hidden for the Spudfest season, get out and hunt, you now have a reason. Look high and low to spot the prize, no trespassing necessary, just use your eyes.
Clue # 2 - Get out and start your exploration,
Do not give in to your frustration. Come play with us, search all around,
I am hidden and ready to be found.
Spudfest Lakes Run
The Spudfest Lake Run will take place Friday June 23 at 6:30 pm. For over 20 years the Spudfest Lakes Run has participated in the Spudfest events. The run will begin and end at Lakeside Park and is known for its scenic 8k course known regionally as the fastest and the flattest 8k. This run is professionally chip-timed and will be held rain or shine. There are two water stops on the course and refreshments at finish line. The Spud Run is professionally organized and managed and trophies will be given to top three male and female finishers. Registration begins at 5:30 pm and T-shirts provided upon paid online registration. For more information contact Jean Hagberg at jjjschagberg@gmail.com or visit the website www.spudfest.com
BIG LAKE SPUDFEST WANTS YOU!
The 2017 Big Lake Spudfest will be here before you know it and are still in need of volunteers! Big Lake Spudfest is the largest community event they hold each year and it cannot be successful without the help of volunteers like you. For a full list of events scheduled or to sign up to volunteer go to the Spudfest Website at www.spudfest.com.