MIDDLETOWN >> The Middletown Central Park Association (MCPA) is hosting its 54th Annual Middletown Days fundraiser today through Sunday, June 21st. All proceeds go toward the upkeep and upgrading of Middletown Central Park property.
This year the Ranch Rodeo has been moved to it’s own weekend to accommodate the needs of the local and out of town contestants. But team roping is still alive and well and set for tonight. Sign-in is at 5 p.m. at the MCPA Arena with a 6 p.m. start time. All rodeo events are free to spectators.
On Saturday the parade kicks off at 10 a.m. The route starts at Perry’s Deli on Highway 29 at the south end of town, and goes north on Highway 29 to Young Street (TriCounties Bank). Seating is available all along the parade route with the announcer’s booth set up in front of Mount St. Helena Brewing Company. Get there early to park and before they re-route traffic. If you plan on entering the parade this year you can pick up an application at CJS or West America. You can also download one at http://www.middletowndays.org/middletown-days.php
Be sure to head down to Central Park and the MCPA Arena at 15299 Central Park Ave. immediately following the parade where there will be vendors and different events going on at both areas all weekend.
Central Park is where all your favorite returning food and craft vendors will be along with some new favorites. This year there will also be a Southwestern photo booth, a Beach Body booth, Grinders Steep Coffee & T-shirts, Yuba College, beef jerky, Mary Kay, and a toy booth.
As always, if you are hungry the Cowboy Café will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs, and there will be barbecue Under the Bob Greenwade BBQ area starting at noon, not to mention the variety of specialty food items offered up by the vendors.
And, if you are looking for something for the kids we’ve got you covered. Along with the jumpy house, there are a of events for the kids to actually participate in, no horse required. Bring your child to the arena where $5 gets them the opportunity to romp in the sand and participate in all the fun events: boot race, sack race, 3 legged race, water melon eating contest, and more. Sign ins are at 11:30 a.m. and the fun starts at noon. Prizes will be awarded.
At the Obie Sanders Stage at 1:30 p.m. there will be trick roping for kids 10 and under and dummy roping for those 18 and under. They will get instruction followed by hands on participation. The first 20 kids signed up for each event get a free rope. This event is also $5 and sign ups are at noon.
Check out the parade awards ceremony at 1 p.m. Cheer on the winners in the various categories like Best Western Dressed, Novelty, Future Horseman, Extreme Float, Classic Car, Antique Car, Pooper Scooper, and many more.
At 1:30 p.m. walk over to the arena to see the Jr. Rodeo (entrant sign ups are at noon). There will be Mutton Busting and a Jr. Hide Ride.
Don’t forget your dancin’ boots because we plan to dance under the stars with the Buck Ford Band. Gates open at 8 p.m. and the music goes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission to the dance is $10 a person $15 a couple, and kids 12 and under are free
The 2nd Annual Dolly Parton Look-A-Like contest will also be held during intermission. There is no entry fee other than the price of admission to the dance, but you must be 21 or older to enter the contest. And, there are some great prizes this year. 1st place wins a sash, a crow, a one night stay at Twin Pine Casino & Hotel with a $50 Dining certificate & (2) $25 Free Play. The runner up will also receive a prize.
We wanna start Sunday off right. And, that’s why Linda Diehl-Darms will once again be officiating Cowboy Church at 8 a.m. on the Obie Sanders Stage.
And, after all that fun you had the night before you may be a bit too tired to fix dad breakfast for Father’s Day. That’s right, don’t forget it’s Father’s Day. Not to worry, we’ve got it all worked out. Come by the Lions Club right next door anytime between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and let the Lionesses do all the work for you! You’re going to want to save all your energy for Sunday’s events.
If you couldn’t make it to all the vendor booths because you were so busy with the Saturday’s events, don’t worry. They’ll be here Sunday, too.
The Run to Win Series — Barrel Racing begins at 11 a.m. Come see contestants from all over Northern California and Oregon compete. Immediately following will be the Gymkhana at approximately 1 p.m. (Sign ins are one hour preceding the listed start times for all entrants).
If cooking is more your thing then you may be interested in the 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off. There is no entry fee for this contest. There is however, a trophy, an apron, a one night stay at Twin Pine Casino & Hotel with a $50 dining certificate & (2) $25 free play. All contestants must bring their chili by Noon and judging will begin at 1 p.m. There will be no public tastings.
Back by popular demand is the Bloody Mary Horseshoe Tournament at the Youth Football Horseshoe Pits. Sign-ups are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the single elimination tournament starts promptly at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $25 per person per team (each person may play on no more than two teams), and the winning team splits the pot with Central Park. If we have an odd number of teams the last team to sign up may be dropped.
The closing events are always a crowd pleaser. And, even if you are not a horse person and don’t know the difference between a jog and a gymkhana, you won’t want to miss the Hide Ride & Rescue Races which typically start around dusk. They are some of the funnier and more exciting competitions to watch. This is also when the Queens Raffle will be held. First place is half a beef, second is a hind quarter, third is a front quarter made possible once again by the Browning Family and Middletown Cattle Company. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the weekend and can be purchased from any member of the royal court.
