It’s time for Ulen Days, the biggest weekend of the summer for residents and visitors alike in the Clay County town of 484 north of Hawley. Starting with the annual volleyball tournament next Wednesday and Family Fun Night Thursday, the five-day event – Aug. 16-20 – offers opportunities to enjoy the whole range of small-town summer fun.
Sarah Rikhus, who’s in her third year on the planning committee, says that among the packed schedule of traditional favorites, Family Fun Night is one of the highlights. The evening includes games for the kids, a chance to tie-dye T shirts, a meal served by the Ulen Volunteer Fire Department, a petting zoo, and the most colorful activity – the Color Run, with participants dressed in white T shirts pelted with brightly colored powder at race’s end.
There’s more family fun on Friday. After the NCE-UH Titans Athletics golf scramble, families are invited on a scavenger hunt, with clues crafted to take them to every corner of the town. It will be followed by a teen dance at the Ulen Event Center. “Teen dances were always a big event when I was in high school,” Sarah observes. “But that was 21 years ago. We’re going to try to revive it.”
The annual Ulen Days Parade begins at 11 a.m. Participation is open to businesses and organizations in not only Ulen, but surrounding towns. No pre-registration is required; instead, vehicles and groups will begin lining up at 10:30 at the West Central Shop. For the first time, a prize will be awarded for the best float.
There are other doings on Saturday, too. Instead of playing baseball as in the past, Ulen alumni and friends will compete in a coed softball game at 9 a.m. The Show and Shine Car Show goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along NP Avenue. The Ulen Civic and Commerce Club will raffle off 10 to 20 bicycles at 12:30. Axe throwing is scheduled at 1 in the school parking lot, while two bean bag tournaments will play out – young tossers (under 17 and below) at the Bus Barn at 1, and adults at 3 p.m. At the Nordic Lounge. The big day winds up with a street dance at 9 p.m. featuring October Road.
