One of southern Minnesota’s oldest Independence Day celebrations, Lyle Independence Days, will run from June 22-24.

Lyle Liquor will help get the festivities going by hosting several events on Friday, June 22, including live music.

A carnival will be held during the day on Saturday, featuring games, face painting, lots of prizes, and three bounce houses, including the National Guard Obstacle Course Inflatable. Tickets are 25 cents each, but there will be free stations as well. Visitors can dance the night away in front of the Lyle Legion during the street dance, featuring performances by the Six Mile Grover Band and Nick Braaten.

After a Sunday church service, hungry visitors can enjoy a barbecue lunch from Smokin’ Brothers BBQ. Spectators can then watch the annual Parade, this year featuring the Class A state champion Lyle-Pacelli Girls Basketball team. Visitors can then see who gets crowned Little Miss Lyle and be treated to a fireworks display at dusk.

For more information, call 507-325-2311, email cityoflyle@frontiernet.net or visit www.lylemn.org.

Times and events subject to change

Friday

• Food Specials – Lyle Liquor, 5-9 p.m.

• Bean Bag Tournament – Lyle Liquor, 7 p.m.

• Little Miss Lyle  – 7 p.m.

• Music – Lyle Liquor, 8 p.m. to midnight

• Movie in the Park – Dusk

Saturday

• Truck, Tractor and Semi Pull – South End of Town, 10 a.m.

• Lyle Classic Car Show – City Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Carnival in the Park – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Bean Bag Tournament and Food at the Legion – Relay for Life, 3 p.m.

• Six Mile Grove Band Street Dance – Lyle Legion, 6-8 p.m.

• Nick Braaten Street Dance – Lyle Legion, 8 p.m.

Sunday

• Church Services in the Park – 10 a.m.

• Smokin Brothers BBQ – Lyle Legion, 11 a.m.

• Grand Parade featuring Lyle Girls State Class A Basketball Champs – Noon

• Flag Presentation, Speakers and Lyle Girls Basketball Champs – 1 p.m.

• Bingo Stand – 1 p.m.

• Stump Jumpers Mud Bog Races – South End, 1 p.m.

• Kid’s Games in the Park – 1 p.m.

• Pony Rides – 1 p.m.

• JJ’s Pick-Up Band – 1:30 p.m.

• Horse Shoe Tournament – Lyle Legion, 2 p.m.

• Water Fights – City Park, 2 p.m.

• Pedal Pull – City Park, 3 p.m.

• Little Miss Lyle – 3:30 p.m.

• Talent Show – 4 p.m.

• Raffle Drawing – 5 p.m.

• Fireworks – Dusk

Meadowfest

Grand Meadow will also be holding its annual festival, Meadowfest, from June 22-24.

Described as a “fun event with small town hospitality,” Meadowfest will kick off Friday with a sidewalk chalk coloring contest and scavenger hunt. Evening entertainment includes a 5K run/walk and a music performance from County Line Drive.

The festival continues on Saturday with the annual Meadowfest Car Show at the Grand Meadow Business Center. Hungry visitors can dine on barbeque chicken at the Firemen’s Beer Garden, then secure their spot along the route of the annual Parade. The day will culminate with a music performance by Diesel Drive.

Sunday will begin with a church service at the Grand Meadow School Cafeteria, followed by a church dinner at Grand Meadow United Church. It will be a day of tournaments, including a bean bag tournament at the Firemen’s Beer Garden and a kids’ kickball tournament at Memorial Park.

Visitors will also be able tour the Grand Army of the Republic Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit www.cityofgrandmeadow.com.

Times and events are subject to change

Friday

• Sidewalk Chalk Coloring Contest and Story Time – Grand Meadow Healthcare Center, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Treasure/Scavenger Hunt – Grand Meadow Public Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Under 12 Kids’ ½ or ¼ Mile Fun Run – Grand Meadow School, 6:15 p.m.

• Bingo – Grand Meadow Lions, 6:30-8 p.m.

• Kids’/Family Fun Night – Grand Meadow Football Field, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• 5K Run-Walk – Grand Meadow School, 7 p.m.

• Live Music by County Line Drive – Grand Meadow Firemen’s Beer Garden, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Saturday

• Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Tournament (16 Team Limit) – City Ball Fields

• Co-ed Volleyball Tournament – Grand Meadow City Park

• Coffee and Bake Sale – Grand Meadow Community Center and Grand Meadow Lutheran Church, 8-10 a.m.

• Book Sale and Quilt Raffle – Grand Meadow Public Library, 9 a.m. to noon

• Meadowfest Car Show – Grand Meadow Business Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Grand Army of the Republic Hall Open House – South Main Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Community Art Show – Meadows Assisted Living, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Chicken BBQ – Firemen’s Beer Garden, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Kids’ Inflatable Toys – Veterans Memorial Park, noon to 6 p.m.

• Parade, 2 p.m.

• Money Sand Pile – Veterans Memorial Park , 3:30 p.m.

• Live Music by Diesel Drive – Grand Meadow Firemen’s Beer Garden, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Sunday

• Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Tournament (16 Team Limit) – City Ball Fields

• Ecumenical Service – Grand Meadow School Cafeteria, 10 a.m.

• Church Dinner – Grand Meadow United Church, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Grand Army of the Republic Hall Open House – South Main Street, noon to 3 p.m.

• Kids’ Water Fights – Grand Meadow City Park, 1 p.m.

• Bean Bag Bash – Grand Meadow Firemen’s Beer Garden, 1 p.m.

• Bob Schlief Acoustic Performance – Grand Meadow Firemen’s Beer Garden, 2:30-9 p.m.

• Kids’ Kickball Tournament – Memorial Park, 3 p.m.

• Kids’ Candy Bar Bingo and Horse Races – Grand Meadow Firemen’s Beer Garden, 4 p.m.

Other Area Events

Friday

• Author Visit – Jacqueline West, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Meet Jacqueline West, author of the popular children’s series Books of  Elsewhen. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• Jammin’ at the Bandshell, 7-9:30 p.m. at Bandshell Community Park. Great and unique opportunity for less-experienced musicians to play with very seasoned, experienced musicians. Musicians, bring your instruments and voices. If possible, please bring four copies of chord charts for the house band, Ventura Highway, to follow along. Music lovers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, etc. Free-will donations are gladly accepted to cover production costs. For more information and to sign up in advance to perform, please see the “Jammin”’ at the Bandshell” Facebook event pages.

Saturday

• 2018 Shooting Star Bike Ride, 7 a.m. at Todd Park. Bring your family and friends out for this annual bike ride along the Shooting Star Bike Trail – starts and ends at Todd Park. Multiple distances, rain or shine – helmets required. For more information or to register, go to www.shootingstartrail.org, or call Rydjor Bike at 507-433-7571.

• Sola Fide Observatory – Saturn, Moon Viewing, 9 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Learn about the night sky from our local experts. For more information, go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.

Sunday

• All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 91. On all Sundays through June, can enjoy a great breakfast featuring eggs, sausage, juice or milk and bottomless pancakes. $8 at the door – proceeds go towards helping veterans in need.  For more information, call 507-437-1151.

• Herrlinger Family Performance, 6 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church. From the winding back roads of Dunn County, Wisconsin, the Herrlingers are a homeschooling family of nine that play music that is melodious, joyful and, above all, God honoring wherever an opportunity presents itself. For more information, call Grace Baptist Church at 507-437-2473.