New events, community fun mark golden anniversary

By John McLoone

PRESCOTT –

It’s that weekend that, if you’re from Prescott, is circled on the calendar.

It’s easy to remember. It’s the weekend after Labor Day. It’s been the biggest weekend of the year for 50 years now. And the 50th anniversary of Prescott Daze will not disappoint!

Sisters Angela Magee, Annie Valentine and Elizabeth Gergen took over planning Prescott Daze last year. COVID-19 dealt the festival a blow in 2020. Some organizations decided not to hold events in 2021.

With a love of all that is Prescott Daze, this team of sisters dove in and put on a Prescott Daze to remember in 2021. With one year in the rear view, running on community pride in what they believe is the best local festival anywhere, they’re excited for what Prescott Daze 2022 will offer.

There is a Prescott Daze 2022 Schedule of Events special insert in this edition of The Journal. Make sure you check out the Prescott Daze Facebook page for last-minute additions.

One of the biggest high – lights of this year’s event is always the huge Prescott Daze Grand Parade on Sun – day at 2 p.m. Even the NFL showed respect, scheduling the Border Battle between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings for 3:20 p.m.

People who reside along the river may differ on their allegiances to the Packers or Vikings. But they’re united in their excitement for the 50th anniversary of Prescott Daze.

In year one local legend Roy Finley was the first Prescott Daze Parade grand marshal; this year former mayor David Hovel is honored as a third-generation grand marshal. Hovel decided against seeking re-election this past April after four terms in office.

Magee took a break from P-Daze planning to chat about this year’s event.

“We’re really excited. The weather looks like it’s going to be great. We’re at the point now where it’s just going to go. It’s kind of how it is,” she said. “To think it’s the 50th anniversary is all the more exciting.”

After the COVID year, she and her sisters picked up planning the fest as a tribute to their grandmother, Lorraine Eichman, who passed away nine years ago.

“She absolutely loved Prescott Daze. We took it over for her sake. She looked forward to it all year. She opened her yard for people to watch the parade. It meant so much to her,” said Magee. “She loved that the town gathered and celebrated everything that was Prescott. She absolutely loved her town. When they asked us if we’d take it over, we couldn’t say no. We knew it was just what we should do. And a festival like this needs three people. It’s a lot of work. We each take something, and we chip away at it.”

The festival excitement kicked off with the annual Prescott Daze Medallion Hunt. After a couple rounds of clues, the medallion was found hidden in a place with homage to the history of the event. It was under a bench dedicated to Roy Finley at Freedom Park, and it was found by Kay Huppert.

The fun and festivities begin Thursday night, with live music featuring Brad Marx on the patio at Valley Bar and Grill from 5-8 p.m.

The punt, pass and kick contest gets underway at 4 p.m.

New this year are events at Fairy Wonderland Park, which will be developed at Pearl and Canton streets. A groundbreaking for the new park will be held at 4 p.m. Friday and there will be food trucks and fun and games until 7 p.m. Captain Ruby and Black Jack will be on hand, so bring the kids to meet a couple pirates. There will be face painting, rock painting, fairy hair and much more with donations helping develop Fairy Wonderland Park.

“We’re super excited to have them involved,” said Magee. “There’s going to be so much for families there.”

The Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its Prescott Daze Street Dance at Mercord Mill Park Friday night. The opening band starts at 6 p.m., and headliner Tim Sigler takes the stage at 8 p.m.

The schedule for Saturday is packed with the fishing contest. There’s no car show this year, which makes room for live music and more vendors downtown.

“No one stepped forward to put on the car show. Some people are super bummed about that. That was too bad, but we took that as a sign that we could do more downtown. It was a sign we needed to make some changes. People can stop down and see all the vendors, have a bite to eat, visit the shops and hear some music,” said Magee.

There are tons of family activities throughout the day – with food trucks, of course – at Lions Park near Prescott Middle School.

The Prescott American Legion will have activities throughout the day, and the beer tent there is open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. The band The Bored entertains from 7-10 p.m.

Leading up to the parade on Sunday, there will be a pancake breakfast and other food offerings. The parade runs from Albert to Elm Street, starting at 2 p.m.

“This is going to be a great weekend,” promised Magee. “We’re so excited to celebrate our little river town.”

Here’s to the next 50 years!