When Minneota poet Bill Holm died in 2009 he had already lived to see the festival whose name he inspired become a local tradition.
Originally known as Town and Country Days, the festival organizers later changed the name to Boxelder Bug Days to make it more distinctive, after several poems written by Holm that referenced the insect.
This year Boxelder Bug Days will feature the a capella singing group Tonic Sol-Fa, based out of St. Cloud, in a free concert on Saturday, according to entertainment coordinator Scott Josephson.
"The other thing we have this year is Jim Geiwitz, he has a book about Minneota and he'll be giving a reading at the chili cook-off," Josephson said.
The chili cook-off has been a featured event for 15 years now. Contestants bring ingredients and must cook on-site for the judges and audience. Entrants have been known to use goat and game meats together with tomatoes and veggies in wildly varying combinations.
"This is the second year of the Tug the Bug," Josephson said. "That's where teams of two pull a Volkswagen Bug in a time and distance race. This year the winner gets a trophy Chris Swedzinski designed for us."
The trophy will be held by the winning team for until the next year's race, Josephson said.
Schedule
Today
5:30-7 p.m. Open house at Minneota Health Care Center
7 p.m. Minneota football game vs. Adrian, KP Kompelien Field
8 p.m. to midnight Kick-off dance behind Bubba's Bar, featuring DJ Josh Head
Saturday
6 a.m. 15th annual chili cook-off cooking begins, Bubba's Bar side lot
7:45-8:15 a.m. Registration for 5K/10K run/walk and kiddie run
8-11 a.m. Knights of Columbus pancake and sausage breakfast, Prairie Winds parking lot
8:30 a.m. 5K/10K run/walk, Prairie Winds Wellness
9 a.m.-2 p.m. FFA petting zoo
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friends of the Library, $6 sale at The Big Store
9 a.m. Golf tournament, 3-person best ball, Countryside Golf Course
9 a.m. Craft show and Boxelder Bug Market
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Silver Spur Saddle Club Fun Show, Minneota Arena
10 a.m. Kiddie parade registration, main stage, $1 donation or a canned food item to participate.
10 a.m. Garden tractor pull, Memorial Park alley
10 a.m. Grade 5 and 6 football, KP Kompelien Field
10:30 a.m. Kiddie parade
11 a.m. Boxelder bug races
11 a.m. Chili cook-off judging, Bubba's Bar side lot
11:30 a.m. Chili cook-off tasting, Bubba's Bar side lot
11:30 a.m. Jim Geiwitz reading and book signing, Bubba's Bar side lot
Noon-6 p.m. Inflatables and interactive games, Jefferson Street
Noon-4 p.m. Community center open: Clair Eckley, Jim Geiwitz
Noon Tonic Sol-Fa, main stage, Boxelder Bug Square
12:45 p.m. Route 68, main stage
2 p.m. Tonic Sol-Fa, main stage, Boxelder Bug Square
3 p.m. Sheltered Reality, sponsored by Wal-Mart
3-3:15 p.m. Bean bag tournament registration, community center parking lot
3:30 p.m. Bean bag tournament, community center parking lot
4 p.m. Kayla Daniels, sponsored by Brad's Market
5 p.m. Tug the Bug registration, Highway 68
5:15 p.m. Tug the Bug, Highway 68
5 p.m. Sheltered Reality, sponsored by Wal-Mart
6 p.m. Jefferson Street Band
7:30 p.m. Queen coronation
8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Street dance featuring BlackWater Band
Sunday
8-11 a.m. Firemen's pancake breakfast, fire hall
9:45 a.m. Community worship service
10 a.m. Church service
11 a.m. Kayla Daniels, sponsored by Brad's Market
11 a.m. Whopper feed, Boxelder Bug Square, Youth Of Hope
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friends of the Library, $6 Sale at The Big Store
1 p.m. Grand parade
2 p.m. Kayla Daniels, sponsored by Brad's Market
2:30 p.m. Golf ball roll
3 p.m. Minnesota Xtreme Bull Riding, Minneota Building Materials Arena