It’s a big weekend for Luverne starting on Thursday with the 60th annual Hot Dog Night. It’s estimated that well over a half million hot dogs have been served up over those years.
Nearly 60 businesses have signed up to give away somewhere in the neighborhood of 15,000 hot dogs this year alone.
It’s not just free hot dogs that draws the large crowds to town.
There is a corn hole tournament at the History Center, free inflatables, fire truck sprinkle on Main, Farmers Market, and of course, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations and Spotlight Dancers performances downtown.
Starting at 7 p.m. the Wiener Dog Beauty Pageant gets underway, and the 18th running of the Wiener Dog Races starts right after the beauty contest.
Casey Muessigmann will take the stage at Big Top Tents and Events at 8 p.m., and all of this is just the kickoff to Cardinal Pride Weekend.
Friday starting at 5 p.m. is the Cruise N Park, and the highlight will be the arrival of the Gray Ghost at 6 p.m.
Food trucks, a beer garden and rock and roll are all part of the fun as well.
Take 16 is hosting Block Parties on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Luverne Hockey Association will host a fundraiser pancake breakfast at the firehall Saturday morning. Nothing cures a Friday night fun headache like Saturday morning pancakes, so I am told.
There is a Cardinal Pride Parade Saturday morning on Main Street starting at 10 a.m. featuring the LHS Alumni Marching Band.
The big event for Saturday is the Party in the Park sponsored by the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
Food trucks and the beverage garden open at 5 p.m. and the 18-piece band, “Big Toe & The Jams” takes the stage at 7 p.m. I can’t wait for their show. It is going to be awesome. To top the night off, NextEra Energy is sponsoring the fireworks show at 10:15 p.m.
Events continue on Sunday with the Rock County Hall of Fame ceremony at the Historic Palace Theatre at 1:30 p.m. with the unveiling and reception at the History Center.
Trust me, there are a number of other events going on over the weekend, not to mention the dozens of class reunions. So enjoy the fun weekend!