Fellowship, by the definition of Webster, is a word that has several meanings: companionship, company; community of interest, activity, feeling or experience; and company of equals or friends. Once a year, members of the Kimball community, friends and family – from near and far – unite to celebrate all of these definitions in one three-day celebration known as Kimball Days. In this sense, fellowship has been a part of this mid-August tradition for many years, though it wasn’t until about 1987 that the festival unofficially became identified as “Kimball Days.” Since then, the event has been continuously expanding to accommodate the diverse interests of the growing community. Though Kimball Days only lasts Friday through Sunday, the planning committee has been making preparations for the past year. “Something this big you can’t do in just one month,” said Chris Jeppesen, Kimball Days planning committee member. For the past eight years, Jeppesen has been involved in the organization of Kimball Days. The last three weeks before the event, she said, are the busiest for her and co-committee member, Deb Reinert. “This is the time when Deb and I finalize everything we’ve been working on the whole year, so it takes up all of our time,” Jeppesen said. But, according to Jeppesen, all the hard work will pay off. “It’s going to be bigger and I know its going to be good because it’s something I believe in,” she said. Coming attractions This year there are going to be several new events Kimball Days attendees will have to look forward to, Jeppesen said. These include a Saturday mor-ning fishing contest at Lake Marie, a business fair organized by Mayor Karla Davis, wheelchair basketball fundraiser organized by Heidi Schwichtenberg and Camp Courage, and the Fun Run and Toddler Trot, sponsored by Community Education. Get hooked The fishing contest will start with registration from 7-8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Fishing begins at 8 a.m. and continues until 11 a.m. Weigh-in is at 11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded shortly thereafter. Limits are placed on the quantity of the individual fish species contestants are allowed to catch. All contestants are automatically registered for door prizes by simply signing up. Take it to the streets A business fair will be available this year, thanks to the efforts of Karla Davis, who has been instrumental in event planning. “You could call it any number of names,” said Davis. “Farmer’s market, or business fair. It will offer a range of products.” Featured merchants include Earthberry Farms and Tastefully Simple. Items shoppers can expect to find will vary, from flowers and produce to Tupperware and candles. Currently, Davis estimates that just over 10 businesses have registered for the fair, but there are still many open slots. “Anyone can register up until Saturday morning,” Davis said. The sidewalk fair will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the city parking lot in front of Knaus. “[The business fair] bring[s] something more to Kimball Days,” Davis said. “Something to keep people busy and give local businesses a way to reach out to the community.” Hooping it up Heidi Schwichtenberg, a 1995 Kimball Area High School alumna, will bring wheelchair athletes to Kimball Days to participate in a basketball event that is the culmination of several months of fundraising efforts, planning and publicizing. The event will feature athletes from the Courage Center and all over Minnesota. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students in grades K-12. All of the money raised will benefit disabled athletes, some specifically allotted to purchase more athletic wheel chairs. Schwichtenberg said the exhibition will do more than just raise money. “It can show that individuals with disabilities may look a little different, but they are the same,” she said. The event will also feature performances by Ted Brown and the Cracker Jacks drumline, visits from former Minnesota Vikings John Turner and John Swain, and an appearance by the Minnesota Timberwolves mascot, Crunch. Hot to trot Community Education is sponsoring a new event for children called the Fun Run and Toddler Trot. The races begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Kimball track. The competition commen-ces with a 50-yard dash for children 3-years-old and under. Children 4-years-old through kindergarten-age can participate in a 1/8 mile race at 9:15 a.m. First- and second-graders are invited to run one-quarter mile at 9:30 a.m., third- and fourth-graders one-half mile at 9:45 a.m., and fifth- and sixth-graders one mile at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is preferred, but late entries will be accepted at 8:15 a.m. There is a registration fee of $10, but each participant receives a commemorative T-shirt and participation ribbon. First through fourth place winners will also receive a medal. Festival favorites In addition to the new activities, Kimball Days regulars – young and old – will also find a lot of the more familiar festival favorites, such as: the antique car run at Bumper to Bumper, a variety of athletic competitions, fireworks, games, train and pony rides, a petting zoo, a historical display in city hall, and the Little Miss Kimball contest which has been moved to the high school this year. Athletic opportunities for festival-goers include, 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, golf, softball, horseshoes and a WSCA
dees may feel overwhelmed. To make the best of the festival and enjoy as many activities as possible, Jeppesen offered the following strategy. “If you are going to fish, that is the first thing you want to do on Saturday, then you can go through the business fair, which starts at 9 a.m. “Everything else starts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park, so head over there. “At 2 p.m. you can head to the high school to catch the wheelchair basketball, then have supper with the legion and go to the street dance. “Start Sunday morning off with the pancake breakfast, check out the history display if you haven’t already done so, then go to Bumper to Bumper for the car show. Catch the parade at 2 p.m., have a snack at the Mexican Village stand, go watch softball then head to Powder Ridge for the Don Nystrom benefit supper.” Whatever strategy visitors use to make the most of Kimball Days, the end result, Jeppesen hopes will be the same. “I hope everybody comes out and really enjoys themselves,” she said. For a full, detailed schedule of activities and times, refer to the Kimball Days insert.
Kimball Days caters to variety of community interests
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