Kiester Days 2004 opened Wednesday night with a free community picnic in the Kiester City Park. The gathering wasn’t just a chance to see friends and neighbors before the weekend celebration began; it also prompted folks to consider lending their hand to the California-bound USC Rebels Marching Band.

All donations collected for the supper were forwarded directly to them.

Friday’s Kiester Days kick-off is at 5 p.m. when the infamous game of cow chip bingo will be played on the corner of Main and State Streets. The celebration continues to the Kiester Legion Club Friday night, where the Kiester Lions Club will serve steak dinners from 5 until 7. They’re asking a $7 donation to help continue their community service projects.

After dinner, everyone can enjoy a street dance at Forever Berma’s starting at 8:30 p.m. and runs until 1:30 a.m. Saturday, featureing the DJ Sound Waves.

Cars will leave the Kiester City Park at 8 Saturday morning to enjoy a Kiester Days pre-show car cruise.

They’ll be back at the park by 10 a.m. to begin registering for the car show, also planned at the park.

As the cruise rolls on, people of all ages are invited to the Kiester City Park to participate in the Kiester Ambulance Service’s annual fun run/walk and toddler trot. Registration for the run/walk begins at 8 a.m. with the event beginning at 9. Toddler trot registrations are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the park with those dashes planned for 9:45 a.m. The run/walk makes its way through Kiester city streets while the trot activity is restricted to the park itself.

A craft show also begins at the park at 9 Saturday morning, showcasing the fine work of local artistans, including a furniture maker and handmade soap artisan.

The Kiester Days car show runs from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.on Main Street near the park with live music throughout the show courtesy of the

Walking Eagle Band.

There’s a Pen and Ink appreciation planned in honor of Lois Matson from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Maple Cafe. Stop in a greet her and enjoy free coffee and donuts, courtesy of the Courier-Sentinel.

The park isn’t the only spot to be for Kiester Days Saturday. Stop by the softball diamond on the northwest corner of town to enjoy the softball tournament beginning at 9 that morning.

Try your hand at bingo games at the Kiester Legion Club from 10 a.m. until noon that day, courtesy of the Kiester American Legion Auxiliary.

The Penny Family returns to the Kee Theatre at 2 Saturday afternoon with live music performed by many family members.

They’ve modified their performance this year and will feature acoustic folk, soft rock and country music until about 4 that afternoon.

The family has entertained at Kiester Days yearly since 2001. Admission is free and so is a limited supply of t-shirts. Donations will be collected for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The Kiester Days parade begins at 4:30 Saturday afternoon with the line-up starting at 3:30 p.m. Among the units slated to march through Kiester streets that afternoon are the USC Rebels Marching Band, cars entered in the day’s car show and entries from area businesses and individuals.

The Kiester Legion Post No. 454 has planned a steak fry at the legion here from 5 until 8 p.m. Saturday night. Somethin’ Country will play at a street dance at the Legion beginning at 8:30 p.m.

A Belgian waffle breakfast is being offered at the USC Middle School cafeteria from 8 a.m. until noon Sunday, courtesy of the Kee Women. Diners may enjoy waffles, a variety of syrups, sausage links and beverages there.

Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for ages 6 through 10 and free for those under five. It’s also a chance to grab one of the new Kee Women Cookbooks, on sale for the first time during the breakfast at the school.

A community worship service is planned for the Kiester City Park beginning at 9 Sunday morning. People are asked to bring their own lawn chairs that morning. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the worship will be moved to the Kee Theatre.