Community festivals happen each summer all over the nation, including right here in the Red River Valley. One of the area’s strongest and most popular festival is Dilworth’s Loco Daze. The first Loco Daze was held back in 1965 as way to celebrate the history of Dilworth and the strength of the community. It didn’t obtain annual status, however, until 1987, when a group of citizens led by Bernice Miller took the initiative to reinstate the celebration. Since then, Loco Daze has been a staple of the Dilworth community.

Never one to rest on their laurels, the Loco Daze committee continues to improve and expand on their seven-day celebration. Jim McLaughlin, who has been the Loco Daze chairman since 1989, detailed some of the changes that are being unveiled during the event. “We have expanded Youth Day on Thursday and added a scavenger hunt,” he said, adding that the fire hose will also be out for the kids. “We have also expanded the Car Show to include the FM Crusaders motorcycles on Saturday.” The highlight of the celebration, however, is always the parade, which is also held on Saturday. “We have the best parade in the area,” McLaughlin said. “We will have 120-140 units and it will last a good 1 1/2 hours.” To top off Saturday’s events, the adult street dance will feature the area’s own Billy D and the Crystals.

Regardless of the events scheduled for Loco Daze, the charm and small-town feel is what makes the celebration so special. “It has a really down-home, small-town feel,” McLaughlin said. “We try to make it very family oriented. It is good quality community fun.” Anyone who has never experienced Loco Daze would be wise to check it out. It will make you proud to be from the Red River Valley.

A complete schedule of the July 21-27 event can be found at http://locodaze.org/schedule.html.