If you've got a working vehicle, whether propelled by gas motor or four-legged horsepower, and a few strings of holiday lights, then you're ready to sign up for Vergas's Redneck Holidazzle Parade!
The holiday celebration is set to wind its way through downtown Vergas starting at 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 17.
Of course, the winning parade entries will likely require a bit more creativity, but if all you're looking for is to be part of a fun evening, then bring your $10 entry fee over to the Vergas city office (checks should be made payable to the Vergas Community Club) and fill out the application form.
"We want people to just bring out any vehicle that they can drive and light up and have fun with," said Lisa Kaldahl, president of the Vergas Community Club, which is hosting the event as a fundraiser for community projects.
"Adam Bristlin will be leading off the parade with his truck, which shoots off flames," she promised.
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Vergas City Clerk Julie Lammers said that all parade entries should have a "redneck" theme, and there would be prizes for the best float, "well lit" float and best use of holiday humor.
"There's also going to be a Redneck Chili Cookoff at the Vergas Event Center," Lammers added.
Contestants for the chili cookoff should sign up at the Vergas Liquor Store, then bring a piping hot container of their best chili to the Event Center by 5 p.m. on Saturday, when community residents can begin lining up to sample their wares and vote on whose chili is the tastiest. Prizes will be given to the top vote-getters.
For those who aren't chili fans, Kaldahl said, the Community Club will be serving up hot turkey sandwiches, chips and baked beans, and there will also be a full-service bar provided courtesy of the Vergas Lions.
Frazee musician Todd Sisson will be providing live entertainment, and there will also be a "bucket raffle" where people can buy an unlimited number of $1 tickets, then just drop as many of those tickets as they'd like into the bucket (or buckets) for the prize that they'd most like to win.
"We'll have 12-15 bucket raffle prizes," Kaldahl said. "The prizes haven't been finalized yet, but there will be a lot of great items... gift certificates, clothing packages -- even a truckload of wood."
Yes, even some of the raffle prizes will be in keeping with the evening's theme. "It's very rednecky," Kaldahl laughed.
Other weekend events
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- Holmes Art Show: The Historic Holmes Theatre will host its 9th annual art show, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, 12 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The show is free and open to the public.
- Band concerts: The Detroit Lakes Middle School Band's fall concert is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, while the High School Band concert is 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Both concerts will take place in George Simson Auditorium at the Detroit Lakes Middle School, and both are free and open to the public. Then on Saturday at 4 p.m., the Lakes Area Community Concert Band hosts its 7th annual fall concert at the Historic Holmes Theatre; admission is by free will donation.
- Caravan du Nord: Three Minnesota-based music acts will perform live on the Historic Holmes Theatre stage this Friday starting at 7 p.m., including Detroit Lakes' own Hardwood Groove; Caroline Smith & the Good Night Sleeps (she's also a former DL resident!); and headliner Mason Jennings. All tickets are $5. Call the Holmes Box Office at 218-844-7469 for more information.
- B.B. King: The "King of the Blues" also plays Friday at Mahnomen's Shooting Star Casino, but tickets for this 8 p.m. concert are already sold out.
- Holiday Bazaar: The Washington Square Mall will host a variety of artists, crafters, home-based businesses, non-profit organizations, bake sales and more.
- Pet Photos with Santa: Becker Pet & Garden in Detroit Lakes will be offering refreshments and holiday treats while you wait to have your photo taken with your four-legged friends, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Humane Society of the Lakes.
- Stage Combat Class: The Detroit Lakes Community & Cultural Center will host a free class with actor and stage choreographer Aaron Preusse, courtesy of the Historic Holmes Theatre and the Minnesota State Arts Board. The class runs from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is no cost to participate, but class size is limited to 12 people, so pre-registration is required. Call the theater box office at 218-844-7469 or e-mail Amy Stearns at amy@dlccc.org to sign up.
- Dinner Theater: Shooting Star Casino will be hosting a special dinner theater performance of the comedy "Greater Tuna" on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., presented by Bare Stage of Fargo-Moorhead. Tickets are $35, including both the meal and show. Call 800-313-7469 for more information.
Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes.
