Carlton Daze are here again

This weekend belongs to Carlton ... and all the thousands of people who will descend upon the small city to celebrate Carlton Daze, Paddlemania and the Voyageur Ultramarathon.

There are so many events, it takes two pages to list them all (see Pages 10-11). Making that many things happen is a group effort, said Daisy Rose, Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce board member and Community Education director.

"It's really a whole community thing," Rose said. "The Chamber promotes it as much as possible and does the 5K race Friday and parade Sunday, but everyone plans and orchestrates their own thing to make it one huge weekend."

It all comes together: the sports tournaments, live music at the bars, the popular car show, root beer and hot dogs at the firehall, cornhole and horseshoe competitions, kayak races on the river, food trucks, vendors, bingo, kids' games, even a polka worship service.

One person does deserve extra credit, Rose said. She called Chamber director Shanna Wolf "the beating heart of Carlton Daze," and credited Wolf with the growth of the event in recent years.

So many people come back home for Carlton Daze that residents never know whom they'll bump into.

"Carlton Daze always highlights our community," Rose said. "It brings the community together - not just Carlton - it draws people from everywhere. Having people come from surrounding communities is such a big thing. In these times especially it's important to support each other."

The streets are packed for Saturday's car show and Sunday's 1 p.m. parade. The DNR Park and firehall will be hopping after the parade. Everyone is welcome to hot dogs and root beer floats at the fire hall, plus there's a bubble dance and a coin dig in the park for the kids.

"We've really boosted activities there," Rose said.

While many events focus on the kids, there's fun for adults too.

Like books? There's a book and bake sale at the library Friday and Saturday.

There's live music at The Third Base and the Carlton VFW Friday and Saturday night. Folks could attend the polka worship service at Bethesda Lutheran Church Sunday at 8:30, then enjoy the Bloody Mary bar at the VFW from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday morning. There's more music at the VFW and Third Base Bar Sunday afternoon and evening as well.

Rose said the Lions Club's BIG LIVE auction is back for the first time in years, at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Carlton VFW, offering all kinds of things, from fishing and grilling accessories to hotel or golfing packages.

"Personally, that's my favorite thing; I'm really excited that it's back," said Rose, who's been attending Carlton Daze "since before birth," she said, noting that she was born right after the community celebration. She's also pretty excited to see the pancake breakfast come back to Bethesda Lutheran Church Saturday morning.

Dress for the weather and wear sunscreen. Temperatures are predicted to hit 87 degrees Saturday, and 83 degrees on Sunday.

"We're always more worried about rain. That can deter people," Rose said. "With heat, it's just knowing your capacity and staying hydrated. For the most part, everything will still happen regardless of the weather."

The heat will be an added challenge for runners in the Voyageur Ultramarathon, a 50-mile race to Duluth that starts and ends at Carlton High School on Saturday. Find more at http://www.voyageur50.com.

For a detailed schedule of the various Carlton Daze events, see the listing below or visit carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze.

***** CARLTON DAZE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ******

Friday, July 26th – Sunday, July 28

Events for the Whole Family

All Weekend

B&B Wagon at Third Base –Friday: 3pm-2am; Saturday: 9am-2am; Sunday: 9am-9pm

Off the Rails Wood-Fired Pizza at Third Base-available throughout the weekend.

Volleyball Tournament (starts 8 am on Saturday)-Organized by 3B

Food Vendors at the Four Seasons Complex parking lot.

Magnolia Café-Specialty drinks throughout the weekend as well as extended hours. Beignets will be available prior to the parade on Sunday!

The Loon’s Nest Coffee Shop – Serving up lemonade slushies all weekend long. Grab your hot or cold brew & ice cream, too! Sidewalk chalk for the kids on Sunday!

Carlton VFW – Room @ The Table Food Truck, Ma & Pa’s Fry Shack and Indian Tacos Food Stand

Carlton Auxiliary Party Wagon ticket sales –drawing on Sunday, July 28th

Food/Beverages – The Streetcar

Junior’s Backyard Grill-at Caywood Country Store

Friday

12pm-5pm Carlton Public Library Book Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library (on Thursday, July 25th, as well).

4pm-6pm 5K Registration and Pre-registered packet pick up at the Four Seasons Sports Complex. You must

check-in at least 30 minutes prior to race start time.

5K registration at https://carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze/ or https://runscore.runsignup.com/Race/MN/Carlton/CarltonDaze5k

4pm-8pm Bingo at the VFW & Carlton VFW Auxiliary Booze Cart & Ticket Sales.

5:30pm Kids Fun Races-ages 2-5 years and ages 6-8 years-FREE! Sign up at the Four Seasons, 4:00 to 5:15 pm.

6:30pm 30th Annual Carlton Daze 5K Run/Walk start at Four Seasons Sports Complex. Must check-in 30 min prior.

8pm-12am Live Music at the Carlton VFW-Stranded.

9pm-1am Live Music-The Third Base Bar-Aftershock.

Saturday

5am/6am Check-in/Packet Pick Up/Race Start for Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultra 50 Mile Ultramarathon at Carlton

High School. Information available on the website – voyageur50.com

8am-11am Pancake Breakfast at Bethesda Lutheran Church-204 5th Street. $8/person (children under 5 are free)

8am Volleyball Tournament-Contact Third Base, 218-384-4515. Fee: $150.00 per team.

9am-3pm Car Show – Registration begins at 8 am in front of the Carlton VFW. $10.00 entry fee. “Hot Rods for Hot Wheels” Cruisers will be coming between 12 (noon) & 1 pm. Contact Shawn at 218-393-5622 for more information.

There will be NO PARKING on Chestnut Avenue (Carlton main Street) beginning at 7 a.m.

9am-3pm Kids Coloring Activity at CreativEdge in downtown Carlton. Kids can create a masterpiece and have it

printed on a shirt or other printables. ( Free to color – Printed items starting at $10.00).

9am-3pm Bounce Houses by D.A.D.S Bounce House Rentals-Brent’s Heating Parking Lot. Unlimited day pass $5.

9am-3pm Craft & Vendor Event & Business Expo: Indoors at Four Seasons Sports Complex. Contact person, Sarah at 715-293-3711.

11am Carlton Area Lions Club BIG, LIVE AUCTION IS BACK-at the Carlton VFW.

11am-3pm Carlton Public Library Book and Bake Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library on Chestnut Avenue.

11am-8pm Bingo at the VFW.

1:30pm Paddlemania – Kayak Race Start. Best viewing experience at Jay Cooke State Park (swinging bridge).

3:00pm Third Base-Cornhole Tournament-$50/team.

4:00pm Mass at St. Francis Church, 509 Sunrise Drive, Carlton, MN.

4:30pm Paddlemania – Slot Machine Showcase Showdown. – Spectators welcome to all events.

8pm-12am Live Music at the Carlton VFW – Three First Names with the Rhythm Brothers.

9pm-close The Third Base – Live music – The Reckoning.

Sunday

8:30am Mass at St. Francis Church, 509 Sunrise Drive, Carlton, MN.

8:30am Polka Worship Service at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 5th Street, Carlton, MN

9:30am-4pm Bounce Houses for kids by D.A.D.S Bounce House Rentals-DNR Park. Unlimited day pass $5.

10am-12pm Bloody Mary Bar – Carlton VFW.

10:30am Service at River’s Edge Church.

11am-3pm Carlton Public Library Book and Bake Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library on Chestnut Avenue.

12pm-4pm Bingo at the VFW.

1pm Carlton Daze Parade. Line up begins at noon on School Avenue at the Carlton High School.

REGISTER ONLINE at carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze. Parade Contact: Andy at 218-391-6617.

Following Parade Carlton Volunteer Fire Department Open House. Demonstrations. Kids activities.

Refreshments served. Carlton Fire Hall.

Following Parade Free Root Beer Floats at the Carlton Fire Hall. Sponsored by the Carlton Area Chamber of

Commerce and Carlton Fire Department.

Following Parade Bungee Trampoline ($10) and Barrell Train rides($5)-by Arcade Highway.

Following Parade Carlton VFW-Bring Your Own Partner Cornhole Tournament-$50/team.

2pm-4pm Bubble Dance Party at the N.P. Junction Bike Shelter – DNR Park. This event is for kids of all ages.

Music by a DJ that includes bubbles and dancing!

2pm-6pm Live music at The Third Base – Gypsy Wagon(after the parade).

2:30pm Kids Coin Hunt – DNR Park (across from Fire Hall) Sponsored by Woodlands National Bank.

3:00pm Carlton VFW Auxiliary Party Wagon Raffle Drawing

4pm-8pm Carlton VFW– DJ/Karaoke.

FOR ALL CARLTON DAZE INFORMATION AND ANY SCHEDULE UPDATES VISIT

carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze.