Hold on. The Fourth of July may not have been the biggest celebration of Mower County.

Taylor Godbout strains at the pedals during the kiddie pedal pull last year as part of Brownsdale Fest. -- Herald file photo

This weekend, Brownsdale Fest, LeRoy Summerfest and the Racine chicken feed and street dance will take over Mower County. The small towns have something for everybody, especially the food.

LeRoy Summerfest

Though this year’s Summerfest in LeRoy has gone through some schedule changes, everything may be for the better. This year, the music and dance has moved from Saturday to Friday.

“It’s a little bit bigger name band that will hopefully bring in a few more people and be a bigger draw,” said Patty White, LeRoy city clerk and Summerfest Parade organizer.

The band is “Dirty Word,” which White is excited about because there’s some former members of the Johnny Holmes Band playing.

However, like Brownsdale, LeRoy’s staple is also the fireman’s dinner, which will be held Saturday evening.

A new event, may pick up some steam; however. A tractor pull is now dedicated to Ray Kiefer, formerly of Taopi, who died June 11, 2011.

Another interesting event will be the kids’ ID program. White said Masonic members will take fingerprints and other physical evidence of kids and provide families with a CD compilation, in case their child ever goes missing.

The festivities close with the parade — a piece of tradition — and the events in the park that carry throughout Sunday.

Racine

Racine is getting ready to party for a good cause Saturday.

The Racine Lions Club will hold its annual chicken dinner and street dance starting around 3 p.m. All proceeds from the dance and dinner go toward the projects and causes the club supports throughout the year.

“Its our main fundraiser for the year,” said Lions member Tom Kraetsch. “Proceeds are used for local projects and to help local families.”

The day starts with beanbag tournament at the Stupid Loon at 2 p.m., a beer garden and children’s carnival at 3 p.m. The chicken barbecue begins at 4 p.m. at the community center. Blue Denim will perform during the street dance, which starts at 8 p.m. outside the center.

The annual raffle is set for 9 p.m. with proceeds going toward scholarships.

The festivities will continue Sunday with a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. hosted by United Methodist Church.

Also, just south of town, the 28th annual Root River Antique Engine and Tractor Show will be held right next to Deer Creek Speedway. The gates open 7 a.m. Friday, with events on Saturday and Sunday, as well.

Brownsdale Fest

Friday, July 15, Brownsdale kicks off just its eighth annual festival — one of the newest in Mower. David Pike, who has been coordinating events for Brownsdale Fest since in started at the town’s sesquicentennial in 2004, said it doesn’t suffer from the other area events.

The distances are far enough between towns, and the local draw is strong, according to Pike.

Friday, one of the more popular events — a car show with roughly 80 entries — will take over downtown at the fire hall. And the fire hall is the center of this year’s festivities, as Saturday’s concert and dance takes place inside. Pike said it’s different than many other towns’ celebrations and is beneficial in case weather turns bad.

“It’s kind of like a big-old barn dance in the fire hall,” Pike said. He added there is no cover charge.

Brownsdale is keeping tradition with its Saturday pork feed as well, the staple of the entire event, according to Pike. Sunday is time for settle down for the locals, with a community-wide picnic.

BROWNSDALE SCHEDULE

Friday, July 15
Car show with trophy prizes, fire hall — 6 p.m.
Beer Garden with Mixed Drinks — 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Food and Snack Concessions — 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Silent Basket Auction Begins — 6 p.m.
Rohler Rink Special, $3 admission and rental — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Karaoke Contest by Bring It DJ Sound — 8 p.m. start, 12:30 p.m. karaoke cash prizes awarded

Saturday, July 16
Firefighters breakfast — 9 a.m.
Full-service filling station, Greenway Co-Op — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dog Wash, First Farmers & Merchants parking Lot — 10 a.m.
P.I.E. benefit car wash, First Farmers & Merchants parking Lot 10 a.m.
Fire extinguisher refill and safety equipment sale — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Giant inflatables, fun for all ages, east of the firehall — noon to 4 p.m.
Beer garden with mixed drinks and snack bar — noon to midnight
Food and snack concessions — noon to midnight
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church ice cream stand — noon to 6 p.m.
Rohler Rink special, $3 admission and rental. Located east of the firehall — 1 to 4 p.m.
Kids peddle pull — 1 p.m., 12:30 p.m. registration
DJ show by Bring It DJ Sound — 1 to 6 p.m.
Kids (6-12 year olds) bean bag tournament — 2 p.m., 1:45 p.m. registration
Pie eating contest, firehall — 3 p.m., preregister at Greenway Co-Op
Kids water wars — 3 p.m.
Beanbag tournament — 3:30 p.m., 3 p.m. registration
Firefighters hog roast — 4 to 8 p.m.
Silent basket auction winners announced — 6 p.m.
Rohler Rink special, $3 admission and rental — 7 to 10 p.m.
Dance to the live music of “Amish Playboyz” — 8 to 12 p.m.

Sunday, July 17
Brownsdale community picnic, community building — noon

LEROY SCHEDULE

Friday, July 15
Free movie “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” LeRoy Public Library �� 1 p.m.
Steak sandwich benefit for LeRoy Overseas Club at North Baumbach Park — 5:30 p.m.
72-team bean bag tournament, preregistration required, Contact Kristin
Stevens at 507-272-6613, at North Baumbach Park — 6 p.m.
Street dance featuring “Dirty Word,” south business alley — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday, July 16
Neil Yost Memorial co-ed volleyball tournament, South Park, Contact Eric Bridge at 324-5946
or 507-304-5562 — 8 a.m.
Sprint tri- & duathlon at Trail Head, Contact Elaine Mills at 507-440-0674 — 8 a.m.
Open house and used book/video sale at LeRoy Public Library — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Storytime at LeRoy Public Library — 10 a.m.
Container gardening contest at South Park — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dog contest, various categories at South Park — registration at 9:30 a.m.
Kid’s pedal pull at South Park — 11 a.m.
Lunch and pie/ice cream social by 1st Presbyterian Church at Community Center — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Car and motorcycle show by Sons of the American Legion at South Park — registration begins at 10 a.m.
Kid’s carnival games by Lutheran Social Services at South Park — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
First annual Ray Kiefer Memorial Tractor Pull at Northern Country Co-Op — registration begins
at 11 a.m.
Kid’s ID program at Community Center — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Firemen’s water fights & Kiddy Water Fights by LeRoy Watertower, Contact Rick Dohlman
At 507-324-5166 — 1:30 p.m.
Bingo at South Park — 2 p.m.
Windsor Chop Supper at South Park (L-O Commons in case of rain) — musical entertainment provided by Tim’s Mobile Music — 5 to 7 p.m.
Variety show by LeRoy Community Theater at High School Gym — 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 17
Joint ecumenical church service at South Park — 10 a.m.
Grilled chicken dinner, sponsored by LeRoy Fire Department, at Fire Hall — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grand Parade, Contact Patty White at 507-324-5707 — 2 p.m.
Free watermelon and kiddy train rides at South Park — after parade — band concerts by LeRoy Community Band & LeRoy Road Band

All weekend
ADA Malt Booth, Sponsored by FFA Alumni, located by LeRoy Lumber
Craft & Flea Market at South Park, Contact Kay McCloud at 507-273-6088
Food Stands & Activities at South Park
$1 a game bowling at Travel Lanes
LeRoy Pool swimming specials, $3 all-day pass for students, $4 all-day pass for adults