Instead of a three-day celebration this year Hayward will celebrate all in one day on July 10.

The day will start with the third annual April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon. The marathon begins at 8 a.m. in Albert Lea near the Country Inn & Suites and ends in Hayward. For registration go to www.livelaughloverun.com. The memorial marathon is in honor of April Sorensen, who ran marathons, and was murdered in 2007.

The Hayward Fire Department will again be hosting their annual mud bog. Trucks and ATVs have their own categories and the fastest time wins. Registration for the mud bog is from 9 to 11 a.m. and the bog begins at noon on the south side of Hayward.

Other events during the day include the softball tournament, Hayward Lutheran Church ladies serving food from 8 to 11 a.m., a city-wide rummage sale all day and the Hayward 4-H Club will serve root beer floats and host a carnival on that Saturday.

Because Julio’s Bar closed there will be no street dance. Carol Becker, Hayward Boosters’ member said, “Unfortunately our club does not have the funds to pay for a band and rent a tent.” Another change is the lack of a permanent pastor at Hayward Lutheran Church, which means there will be no special Sunday service.

Businesses in Hayward will be open the entire day. For more information about Hayward Days go to www.haywardmn.org. So after the fun of the Fourth of July is over, join Hayward for more fun and sun.