Eldon Gothic Days set

ELDON ? Eldon will host its 42nd Annual American Gothic Days, sponsored by G.A.T.E., June 8-10.

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. June 8 with Supper in the Park and an ice cream social.

June 9 begins bright and early with a 5K walk/run starting from the American Gothic House Center at 7:30 a.m. Registration will begin at 6:45 a.m. The fee for participation is $18 and includes a T-shirt, map of the route, medals for both men and women for first-, second- and third-place winners for each age category and a trophy for the overall winner for men and women. For more information and registration forms, visit www.theamericangothichouse.net.

Events June 9 also will include a used book sale at the Eldon Carnegie Library from 9-11 a.m.; a bake and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rock Island Park; a parade, with all entries welcome at 10 a.m.

A Vintage Cruisers Car Show starts at 11 a.m., as do kids? games at the KD Center and wine tasting at the Rock Island Depot.

A barbecued chicken dinner, with brats, hamburgers and hot dogs also available, will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the KD Center.

A kids? pedal tractor pull begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs into the afternoon.

The afternoon is filled with fire station tours from noon to 3 p.m.; a mud run at 1 p.m. at the Wapello County Fairgrounds; and cardboard boat races at 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

The day wraps up with the American Gothic Young and Wild Rodeo at 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds; and the band Slick Willie playing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Wapello Building at the fairgrounds.

June 10 begins with an early bicycle ride to Floris and back, with registration at 6:45 a.m. at the American Gothic House Center and the ride starting at 7:30 a.m.

The route to Floris is 18 miles, but the adventurous can continue on to the Highway 63 intersection before turning around for a 24-mile ride.

Registration is $18, and includes a T-shirt, a map and post-ride pizza.

For more information and registration forms, visit www.theamericangothichouse.net.

June 10 events also will include breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the fire station and mud volleyball beginning at 1 p.m. at Playground Park.

The American Gothic House Center will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 8 and 9 and 1-4 p.m. June 10 to exhibit artwork entered in the American Gothic House Art Contest.

Visitors can see what area amateur and professional artists can do when inspired by the house that produced ?American Gothic.?

First- and second-place winners for each division win a cash prize.

Entries must be received by Tuesday. Registration is free. For information and registration forms, visit www.theamericangothichouse.net.

For details about Eldon?s American Gothic Days, visit www.theamericangothichouse.net.