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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Whoopee Days come to Brighton this weekend
BRIGHTON — The city in southwest Washington County is preparing for its 112th Whoopee Days June 17-19. Organizers say they’re excited for the weekend.
“It’s carrying on tradition,” Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club Treasurer Jan Miller said. “Tradition is something we can pass on down. For myself, I enjoy hearing all the stories people tell … I’ve been in Brighton 29 years, but there’s so many stories that people tell from when it started and how it started. I love that, we can teach the young and they can carry it on.”
The weekend will feature the usual programming, like the flea market starting Friday, and a parade and mud runs on Saturday, but Miller said this year’s festivities would have a few attractions. That list includes a K-9 demonstration, a chance for kids to explore a police car, and a performance in city park Saturday night by Aces and Eights.
“We’ve never had a full band like that in the park,” Miller said. “I think that’s going to be really good, you don’t have to go to the bar to have a good band, and that’s why we’re having two different things like that.”
The event is organized by the Chamber, with some volunteer help from the local Lions Club. Miller said it was a unifying time.
“It brings people together, all the people in town,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the Chamber, the Lions or the community. There’s so many people that come in … I think it’s really neat and you really get to know them.”
Friday, June 17
- 12-6 p.m. flea market
- 5:30 p.m. Grand Marshal introductions
- 5:30-6:30 p.m. Hometown Harmony at City Park stage
- 6 p.m. Horseshoe contest at CaManders, and Lake Darling Saddle Club Horse Show at Brighton Arena
- 7 p.m. Bill Riley talent show at City Park Stage
Saturday, June 18
- 7 a.m.: Annual Whoopee Walk meets at City Hall
- 7-9 AM: Lions Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center
- 7 a.m.: Ding Darling Tractor Ride, line up at Terry’s Feed Store
- 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Vendor and Craft flea market
- 9AM: Parade registration @ First Church of God
- 9:30 a.m.: Parade Judging at line-up positions
- 10 a.m.: Whoopee Day Parade. This year’s theme is “Traditions”
- 11 a.m.: Mud Run Registration opens at the ballpark
- 1 p.m.: Mud run begins at the ballpark
- 1 p.m. Homecoming Alumni at Brighton Community Center
- 2-4 p.m. Open Mic at City Park Stage
- 5-9 p.m. Aces and Eights at City Park Stage
- 8-11:59 p.m. Brass Pear at CaManders Bar and Grill
Sunday, June 19
- 10 a.m. Community Church Service in Brighton City Park, or Old Brighton Gym in event of rain.
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
One float in the 2021 Brighton Whoopee Days parade.
Aubrey Smith, 6, left, smiles on a carnival ride at a previous year’s Brighton Whoopee Days. Next to her rides Cherokee Nagy, an employee of Amusement Associates of Sheraton, who brought in the carnival rides. (GTNS photo by Grace King)
