As we get ready to turn the calendar page to July, we’ll be taking a deep breath, to prepare for all of the many fun festivities and goings-on around our city.

This month will be an all-time record breaker for the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau in that we are bringing in an unusually high number of visitors, with several large group conventions, meetings and events we’ve booked.

There is so much jam-packed into the month of July, that I will only take time and space to mention the highlights here.

July 1-4: Freedom Fest, our 26th annual community celebration, organized by our friends at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. On July 1, the Jaycees will hold their street dance at Torge’s Live. On July 2, the Hog Jog, kids fishing contest, and Dan Ulwelling bike race are scheduled. July 3 brings a car show, fly-in breakfast, and Walk for a Cancer Free World, along with Family Day in Bandshell Park. Of course, the Grand Old Fourth will include such favorites as the big parade and giant fireworks show, with lots going on at the Bandshell.

July 7-10: We have the Milwaukee Railroad Historical Association convention meeting in Austin. Their convention will be held at the Austin Holiday Inn and while in town, they will be touring many of our local attractions on July 8. Most notably, the group will visit the Mower County Historical Society to see the railroad artifacts in their depot and railroad stock, to include the infamous 1004 steam engine. This convention will bring in 250 people.

July 20-21: The Southern Minnesota Tourism Association, all of our counterparts in the 36 county region of our state, will be meeting in Austin. On July 20, we will tour them all around town with stops at many local businesses and attractions.

This group will also take a ride around East Side Lake on the Spamtown Belle. That evening, we will all enjoy the Dallas Clark performance at the Historic Paramount Theatre. On July 21, the SMTA group of 40 will hold our business meeting at the Hormel Historic Home.

July 21: The Model T-Car Club will visit Austin and four chosen attractions during their stop here. This Club will bring in approximately 650 club members and between 250 to 300 Model-T’s. They will rotate around the attractions, and spend a big portion of their day at our Mower County Fairgrounds. The public is invited to stop out to the fairgrounds to visit with the travelers and see all of these great cars. When has Austin ever had the opportunity to see that many Model-T’s all lined up for viewing? Bring your cameras.

Bear in mind that while both of these last two groups listed will be in Austin on July 21, it is also Downtown Crazy Day and Farmer’s Market Day. We are encouraging both groups to visit Crazy Day and Farmer’s Market while they are here. This will mean that merchants and vendors will likely see a lot of increased traffic that day from our convention groups.

July 26-27: The Multiple Sclerosis TRAM 22nd Annual Bike Ride will visit Austin. The six day, five city ride will loop from Rochester, Owatonna, Austin, Lanesboro, Winona, and back to Rochester, raising money for the MS cause.

While in our city, the ride is expected to bring approximately 1,000 riders as well as 200 to 300 family, friends and MS organizers. Lots of local folks are needed to welcome these riders as they cross the finish line, from the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., stop out and cheer them in.

From 3 to 9:30 p.m. on July 27, plan to come out to Todd Park to enjoy the free musical entertainment our committee has lined up. We will be collecting donations at the Park to go to MS.

As always, you can call us at the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau office for events and complete information at 437-4563. Email us at visitor@austinmn.com. Let us know what is happening with your group or organization, so we can help promote it to our visitors.

Find us on Facebook, too. Search for Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. There, you’ll see photos of recent happenings, and reminders of upcoming events. Make the most of all Austin has to offer. Enjoy.