WELCOME — This is the big weekend in Welcome. The Summer Festival begins today, July 19, with city-wide garage sales and tonight the Welcome Fire Department chicken feed fundraiser will be held 5-7:30 p.m. at the Welcome Legion Hall. The menu includes chicken, fried potatoes and beans.

Inflatables will be open from 5-9 p.m. and the pedal tractor Pull is at 6:30 p.m. with registration at 6 p.m. Entertainment by ‘DJ Chopper’ is planned for 7 p.m. to midnight by the Welcome Legion Hall. The weather looks promising with lower temperature and humidity. The first clue to the medallion hunt will be given tonight at 8:30 p.m. Good luck on the hunt. Tomorrow, July 20, is also full of fun events in Welcome. There is a 5K fun run/walk at 8 a.m. with registration at 7:30 a.m.

There will be a car show from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with registration at 9 a.m. There will be a vendor Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hansen Keck Park, Giggle Givers Balloon Art from 1-4 p.m. at the park and Do Die Pony Rides from noon to 2 p.m. at the park. The second clue for the medallion hunt will be given at 9 a.m. Inflatables will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. But don’t miss the parade at 4:30 p.m. from Mill Street to Campbell Street and then Dugan. Line up is 3:30 p.m.

on Mill St. After the parade there are several bands entertaining on Main Street (Groove and SuFu Du Drum Corps and the Hobo Band).

Steve Lang will play from 6-8 p.m. and the Fat City All Stars will play from 8:30 to midnight. The next medallion hunt clue will be given after the parade and one more at 8:30 p.m. if needed. The winners of the raffle tickets prizes will be announced at 10 p.m. Don’t miss the fun in Welcome this weekend.

Circle of Faith parishes will have Sunday services at 9 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Trimont and 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran with a confirmation celebration at Trinity. The Trimont Community Vacation Bible School will be held July 21-25 at First Lutheran Church. Each night, they will have a

supper at 5:15 p.m. and activities from 6-8 p.m. The Circle of Faith parish in Waverly is gearing up for their special 125th anniversary celebration on Sept. 8. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this wonderful milestone event. After the special service they plan a noon meal and a Vesper service in the afternoon. Any former members of the choir are especially invited to join in the singing.

Spread the word to your family members to save the date. Reservations are needed by Aug. 8 at the Circle of Faith office by calling (507) 728-8259.

Trimont Sundaes at the Park will be held 6 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Triumph Memorial Park in Trimont. Entertainment will be by Glenn Henriksen.

Tuesday coffee hours in July continue from 8:30-10 a.m. July 23, at the Regional Worship Center in Sherburn. Join friends and neighbors for coffee, goodies and great fellowship.

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 22, at St. Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont. To make an appointment or find blood drives near you, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), go online to www.redcrossblood.org or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Blood is urgently needed so give if you are able.

The tree dump in Welcome has experienced some problems with garbage and large tree stumps dropped at the site. The dump is only for Welcome residents and no non-wood items are to be dumped there. Tree trimmings, brush and leaves, and grass clippings only. Tree branches are to be no larger than 6 inches in diameter. The dump will be open 8 a.m. to noon on July 27. Hours are on the second and fourth Saturday of each month and the first Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Please do not wreck this opportunity for others to get rid of tree trimmings by bringing non-wood items or large stumps.