2016 Prairie Fest Overview

Check back for 2017 event information!

Prairie Fest place in Clara City over a long weekend at the start of July. There was a lot to do in the beautiful City Park. In the evening of Friday the 8th, there were five-dollar sub sandwiches as well as flavored ice cream in the main shelter of the park. To the left of the main shelter, there is a large playground where many children ran and played. After purchasing a sandwich and grabbing a seat in the bleachers, the Kiddie Parade started. It was themed “Tiny Pioneers” and all the participants were incredible! There were cowgirls, pioneers in homemade covered wagons, and even some pioneers with their livestock in tow! It was great to watch the kids participate, and exciting to see which were chosen as the winners by the judges. The excitement did not stop there!

Next, everyone’s attention turned to pie. After the announcement of the pie contest winners, the auction began. The money raised went to a fund for the Clara City royalty. An enthusiastic caller sold the first 3 pies quickly. The final pie, the first place pie, produced quite the bidding competition. Over 100 dollars was raised with just one pie! There were also slices of pie available for a few dollars so everyone could taste the competing pies. It was a great event and everyone had fun participating.

After the pie was given to its new owner, attention turned back to the main area in front of the bleachers. Taking the stage were square dancers from Jolly Promenaders, County Line Squares, Spares & Pairs, and Koronis Nite Owls. The dancers were decked out in costumes and matching t-shirts. The caller was Gene Hoffman. The experienced dancers danced several songs in three squares for everyone to see. It was not long until they asked audience members to participate too, though! Soon everyone from little girls to festival royalty, to reluctant dads, was dancing with the help of the dancers and Gene Hoffman. It was so much fun! People were laughing, dancing, and enjoying their community.

After giving people enough time to get dancing, music at Hinterland Vineyard began. Jerry Ostensoe played his soulful and bluesy tunes in the lawn in front of the grapes while the audience sat at tables and chairs enjoying tasty pizza, fries, and, of course, wine. It was a beautiful way to end the Friday night of Prairie Fest in Clara City.