Wild in the Streets

The Wildwood Days media packet that arrived at the Journal a few weeks ago is hefty, to say the least. Apparently, Rio Dell knows how to throw a town party.

The Third Annual Wildwood Cruise and Show starts the annual affair at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday July 30. Classic and show quality cars cruise the Ave (Wildwood Avenue, that is) and then park in front of DJ's Burger Bar, where you can enjoy the cars at a standstill plus some live music and BBQ.

Looks like the Dell-ians didn't leave out their young ones. Thursday is billed as "Kids Night." Youths up to age ten are invited to scramble for pennies in front of the Pizza Factory from 5-6 p.m. Check this out: one of those pennies is worth five buckaroos. From 5:30-7 p.m. on the Ave, there are fire truck rides, kids' games (including cake eating and crazy hair contests), a fire hose relay and a talent show. Prizes will be awarded, of course. A dance for kids in grades 3-8 takes place at 8 p.m. at the Dell's Fire Hall. Bring your best dance moves and $5 bucks to get in.

Friday's more adult-oriented events sound rad. The King of the Grill competition goes down on the Ave at 5 p.m. (I guess the County Fair doesn't host that event any more.) Check out your local heros in the Fireman's Muster at 6:30 p.m. The first annual Wildwood adults only (21+) dance takes place at the Fire Hall at 9 p.m. Beer, wine and soda will be for sale and music will be provided by the Swingin' County Band.

Saturday is wild! (Get it? Wildwood.) For the athletically inclined, bocce ball and women's softball tourneys take place all day at the Fire Hall and a fun run starts at 9 a.m. on the Ave in front of Grundman's. A book sale and farmers' market will go down at the library, there's live music and kids' activities all day at Fireman's Park and a parade at noon down the Ave. At the Fire Hall, vendors will be selling food and crafts throughout the day and evening will bring a spaghetti feed and Texas Hold ’Em Tournament. Most importantly, the riding mower races start at 6 p.m. at Wildwood and Painter.

The event of epic proportions comes to a close on Sunday. A car show and shine runs throughout the morning in front of City Hall. The yearly event's gem, The Duck Race, takes place at Eagle Prairie Bridge at 10 a.m. In Fireman's Park, the Fine Lace and Leather Line Dancers perform at 11 a.m., the Scotia Band rocks the house at noon and fundraising for the local firefighters goes down auction-style at 1 p.m.

Whoah. Wildwood overload. You'd better not miss anything or you'll be sorry! Contact Fire Chief/Wildwood Days Event Coordinator Shane Wilson at 764-3329 if you've got questions.

— Emily Hobelmann