27th annual Monterey Days Festival kicks off Aug. 30

This weekend marks the 27th annual Monterey Days festival, bringing family entertainment from Aug. 30 to Sept 2.

The 27th annual Monterey Days Festival is this weekend, with a full schedule planned from Friday to Monday this year. A few changes are in order, including a new chairperson for this year's event, Shauna Ross.

The much anticipated burn-out contest held each year during Monterey Days also will not be happening. Earlier this month during a Pulaski County Commissioners meeting, County Attorney Kevin Tankersley suggested that the contest would not be in the county's best interest, prompting commissioners to deny the event request.

Monterey Town President Doug Denton advised organizers of the festival of some ground rules, including an 11 p.m. curfew each night. Denton also stated that since there would be no beer tent this year, all laws were to be observed in regards to alcohol, and that alcohol would not be allowed in the park, nor other public spaces. 

The schedule for the 2024 Monterey Days Festival is as follows:

Friday, Aug. 30

50/50 Raffle all night (winner announced by DJ)

5:30 p.m. - Calk Walk (Lions Club)

6 p.m. - Mr. and Miss Monterey Pageant (sponsored by Black and Gold)

6 pm - Food and Craft vendors open

6 p.m. - Kids inflatables (free)

6:30 to 7:30 pm - Fishing tournament registration

8 p.m. - Line dancing instruction

9 pm - Street Dance

Saturday, Aug. 31

Daylight to 12 noon - Fishing Tournament (registration Friday in park, 7 to 9 pm) Weigh-in by DJ booth at 12 noon

50/50 Raffle all day; winner to be announced by DJ

8 am to 4 pm – Town-side yard sales

9 am to 1 pm - Library Book Sale at Monterey Library basement

10 am – DJ, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors open

11 am - Kids Inflatables (free)

11 am to 1 pm - free kids games

1 to 5 pm - Tractor Show (sponsored by Chester's Inc.; contact Shauna Ross 574-806-3523 or Tyler Master 574-933-3179

2 pm - Cake Walk (by pavilion)

2 pm - 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament ($15 per team, 50% cash payout for first place)

3 pm - Kids Pedal Tractor Pull

4 p.m. - Rock Painting (pavilion)

6 pm – Parade; line-up 5 pm at the Monterey School

7 pm - Hillbilly Scramble (Line up at 6:30 at firehouse)

8 pm - Karaoke Contest

Sunday, Sept. 1 

8 to 10 am – Breakfast (pavilion, sponsored by First National Bank of Monterey)

8 am - 50/50 Raffle all day; winner to be announced by DJ

10 am – DJ, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors open

11 am - Kids inflatables (free)

11:30 am to 1:30 pm - free kids game

1 pm - Cornhole Tournament (court, $20 per team, 50% payout for first place)

2 pm - Watermelon eating contest (watermelons donated by Tomie Williams)

2:30 pm - Frog/Turtle Race (bring own frog or turtle)

3 pm - Bed Race ($10 per team, 50% cash payout for first place)

4 pm - Cake Walk (pavilion)

4:30 pm - Rock painting craft (pavilion)

5 pm - Baby/Toddler Contest (registration starts at 4 pm)

6:30 pm - Scavenger Hunt for kids

7 pm - Hillbilly Scramble (line up at 6:30 at firehouse)

7:30 pm - Pet Contest (registration begins at 7 pm)

Monday, Sept 2 

8 a.m. – Breakfast (at pavilion)

9 am to 1 pm– Car show

11 am to 4 pm – Collins/Tasch Post No. 399 American Legion (Food, Bingo, Duck Race, Raffle)

Festival shirts are also available for sale at $18 each, with sizes extra small to extra large. For more information on the festival you can contact Shauna Ross at 574-806-3523.