WELLS — This city will host the 2011 Kernel Days festival from Wednesday to Sunday, Aug. 21.

Opening this year’s event will be the Wells Library Foundation salad luncheon at the American Legion on Wednesday, followed by the Little Miss Kernel pageant on Thursday in the United South Central School auditorium.

On Friday, there will be a free lunch and kickoff party at Wells Federal Bank and a multitude of activities during the day including a dunk tank and dodgeball tournament. That night there will be fireworks, and Boss Grant and the Johnny Cash Revue will take center stage at the Bevcomm stage.

Boss Grant and the Johnny Cash Revue is a Johnny Cash tribute band as their name implies. They travel across Minnesota and Iowa to perform and even into parts of the Dakotas.

Saturday at Kernel Days will feature a variety of activities. The main activities featured will be the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, cow plop bingo, the parade and a street dance.

The Kids Pedal Tractor Pull will be hosted by Kid Power Pedal Tractor Pulls out of Hanlontown, Iowa. This event will see kids attempt to pedal their tractor with additional weight attached to the rear mount.

Cow plop bingo is an event in which participants can wager where they expect a cow to lay a cowpie in chalked off squares on a designated bingo card.

The Jaycees street dance will begin at 9 p.m. and will feature Pop Rocks as the night’s entertainment. Also performing during the day are the Jim Lawrence Orchestra and Schell’s Hobo Band.

At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Shari Ellingson, a ventriloquist, will perform with her friends Daisy, a skunk; Sweet Pea, an elephant; Cosmo, from outer space; and Violet, a bird.

On the final day of this year’s activities, event-goers can attend the VFW pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and participate in the first-ever Kernel Days golf tournament. Also beginning at 1 p.m. residents can enjoy a free open swim at the Wells Municipal Pool.

Last year, the celebration marked the opening of the Wells Depot Museum.

Many of the event’s performers and speakers are made possible by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature.

Schedule of events
Wednesday, Aug. 17
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Wells Library Foundation salad luncheon at American Legion

Thursday, Aug. 18
7 p.m.: Little Miss Kernel Pageant in USC auditorium

Friday, Aug. 19
11 a.m.: Kernel Days kickoff party at Wells Federal Bank
5 p.m.: Spotlight dancers, food stands and beer garden open, dunk tank, petting zoo and dodgeball tournament
6 p.m.: Volleyball tournament and tractor races
8 p.m. to midnight: Boss Grant and the Johnny Cash Revue at Bevcomm Stage
9:45 p.m.: Fireworks

Saturday, Aug. 20
8 a.m.: Breakfast stand open, farmers market, Maple Valley Classic Car Show, a walk in the park, softball tournament and volleyball tournament
9 a.m.: Zumba at the park and bingo
10 a.m. Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, food stands open, bocce ball tournament, bean bag tournament and petting zoo
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Dunk tank and children’s games
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Face painting, tattoos and games
1 to 3 p.m.: Old fashion kids games
1 p.m.: Cow plop bingo
1:30 p.m.: Cribbage tournament and ventriloquist act
3 p.m.: Al Batt speaks
3:30 p.m.: Car cruise
4 p.m.: Jim Lawrence Orchestra at Parkview Care Center
7 p.m. Parade
Post-parade: Performances by Jim Lawrence Orchestra and Schell’s Hobo Band
9 p.m.: Talent show
9 p.m.: Jaycees street dance featuring Pop Rocks

Sunday, Aug. 21
8 a.m.: VFW pancake breakfast and a softball tournament
10:30 a.m.: Kernel Days golf tournament check in
1 p.m.: Free open swim at Wells Municipal Swimming Pool