MIDDLETOWN — You still have time to get your horse or buggy ready for the 46th annual Middletown Days. The parade on Saturday begins at 11 a.m.
Parking can be tricky since two streets parallel to the parade route (Highway 29 from Wardlaw to Callayomi) will be closed to parking to accommodate the detour.
This year”s parade theme is “Back in the Ole West.” Join any one of numerous categories for both groups and individuals, and walk (two legs or four) or ride (horse, bicycle, car, or whatever you can concoct). Entry cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger, and $10 for organizations and groups. Entry forms are available at both banks in Middletown, CJS Ranch Supply, VAL”s Pet Paradise, and the Times Star. Or call Pam Wilson at 987-8319 for entry and parade information.
The Middletown Days parade has had everything but a marching band for the last few years, so if you know of a band please encourage them to join in the fun.
Come to town early and enjoy the annual Firefighters” Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the fire station on Highway 175. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children. Raffles will be held for a variety of prizes, and the new training tower will be open for tours.
Excitement moves to Middletown”s Central Park after the parade.
Vendors will be selling their wares both Saturday and Sunday, along with providing games for the youngsters. Entertainment includes skits and dancing by the Community Arts Academy and a karaoke contest before the award trophies are announced at about 2 p.m.
Meanwhile the mouthwatering barbecue will be served up by Mike and Karen Jones from 2 to 5 p.m. The Cowboy Cafe will also be open at the arena, operated again by the ladies of Studio 175 in Middletown.
Contestants will start lining up for the Ranch Rodeo in the arena at 1:30 p.m. Events include calf riding and mutton busting for younger cowboys and cowgirls, and team roping for the bigger cowpokes. Call Heather deBerry at 994-4794 for entry information.
Four queen candidates and two princesses will hand out the glittering trophies donated by local individuals and businesses. Donations are still being accepted to cover awards for the parade, ranch rodeo, and gymkhana. Mail them to Middletown Central Park Association (MCPA), P.O. Box 318, Middletown CA 95461.
Dance under the stars in the park Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. to the country rock music of Joe Valley and Friends. Cost is $25 for couples, $15 for single adults, $10 for singles 13 to 18, and free for children 12 and younger.
Sunday features the annual Middletown Lioness Club”s Father”s Day Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Lions Clubhouse at Central Park. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children 2-10.
Vendors, games and entertainment will still be available in the park all day, and the fast action in the arena starts at 1 p.m. Entry cost is $25 for all five gymkhana events, $15 for the baton race, $20 for the rescue race, and $40 for the hide ride. Contact Tara Hall at 987-7348 for gymkhana information.
The rescue race and hide ride take place in the late afternoon on Sunday, just after the Queen”s Drawing for beef donated by Wayne Jackson and Mike Browning and family. Queen and princess contestants sell the tickets, and lucky winners get a half or quarter beef for helping the contestants and supporting Middletown”s Central Park.
Middletown Days is the major fundraiser for Central Park, which was donated to the town in the early 1900s. A non-profit organization, the Middletown Central Park Association (MCPA) maintains and improves the park with the funds raised and volunteer labor. The park includes the arena, a children”s playground, stage and picnic area, open year round at no cost to everyone.
