The city of Wells will be on full display this weekend as Kernel Days kicks off with many of the events around town and at Half Moon Park.

“I think it gives us a chance to showcase Wells. People from all over the area come to Wells,” said Andrea Neubauer, executive director of the Wells Chamber of Commerce.

Instead of a carnival this year, there will be inflatables and games, Neubauer said. She also said the run/walk will not be held this year.

One of the first events over the weekend is the Little Miss Kernel pageant at 7 p.m. Thursday in the United South Central auditorium.

The events continue Friday with tractor races at 6 p.m., followed by a performance from 8 to 11 p.m. by DW3 and the fireworks at dusk.

A volleyball tournament will be held Friday and Saturday, with 28 teams signed up to compete. Another 12 teams will compete in the softball tournament.

A corn maze will be open all weekend in the field by Dairy Queen. Joah’s Ark Petting Zoo will also be available all weekend. There will also be various food vendors in the park, as well as a breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at United Methodist Church and a VFW pancake breakfast Sunday at 8 p.m.

The Maple Valley Classic Car Show will start at 8 a.m. Saturday. The car cruise will be at 4:30 p.m.

Cow plop bingo will return for the first time since 2006 at 1 p.m. Saturday. After the event in 2006, the city received a letter from the state saying that kind of gambling is illegal because it involved an animal.

Ventriloquist Gator Alley and Company will perform at 1 p.m. The Golden Bubbles Band will play from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Al Batt will speak at 5 p.m. Saturday, followed by the spotlight dancers at 6:30 p.m. and music by David Courey and Beth Crosby at 7:30 p.m.

An outdoor movie will be held at 9:15 p.m. Saturday in the park, and that will replace the teen dance. The firemans’ dance will begin at the fire hall at 8:30 p.m. Saturday with music by IV Play.

Kernel Days will end Sunday with the parade at noon.

“It just brings the community together,” Neubauer said. “There are tons of class reunions this year. It’s just a nice weekend for everybody to come home. You know you’re going to see people you haven’t seen since last Kernel Days.”