Photo by Jim Tate Nick Schmitz, Canby Hat Daze coordinator, is a Canby native who has seen the summer celebration from both sides — as a child growing up, and now as an organizer.

CANBY — Nick Schmitz remembers growing up and attending the Canby Hat Daze events as a youngster.

“I remember the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the parade, the tractor pull for sure,” said Schmitz, the Hat Daze coordinator and owner of Ridge Rock Financial in Canby.

Hat Daze will be held June 13 and 14.

“It’s always on Father’s Day weekend,” said Schmitz.

Hat Daze will kick off June 13 but the majority of events will be held the following day, on Saturday, said Schmitz. The Canby Area Chamber of Commerce puts on Hat Daze, with assistance from various clubs, organizations and individuals.

The Canby Airport Free Air Show will be held on Father’s Day, but that popular show is independent of the Chamber and brings to a close the event-filled weekend. “It used to be held every year, but now we do it every-other-year,” said Schmitz.

The complete schedule hasn’t been finalized as of this writing, “but many of the events tend to repeat from year-to-year,” he said.

The full schedule will be posted on the Chamber website.

Opening-day events will include kids storytelling, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, kiddie parade and a pork supper sponsored by a local 4-H club.

Saturday, June 14 events will include a pancake breakfast, medallion hunt, a historic walking tour of Canby, a pickleball tournament, family fun run/walk, golf scramble, vendor fair, pedal tractor pull, co-ed volleyball tournament, free bowling, a lunch hamburger feed, Hat Daze parade, Midwest Cattlemen’s Association beef supper, and kids dance.

“There’s going to be free events, too,” said Schmitz. “Free swimming, day passes to Del Clark/Stone Hill Park and camping,” he said.

There’s other events that will be of interest to various age groups, but those aren’t finalized, he said.

“It’s a great community celebration and of course the local residents take part. I’m always surprised by the number of people who come from out of town. I think that’s pretty cool.”

Schmitz said that it’s common for past Canby High School classes to hold reunions on Hat Daze, too.

“It’s a great time for people to enjoy themselves and re-connect.”

Schmitz graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in economics.

He is owner of Ridge Rock Financial Service, a line of work “that’s been an interest of mine for a long time, how you put money away — it doesn’t have to be a big amount — and watch it grow. It doesn’t happen quickly, but if you’re diligent it can happen.”

He offers a full line of financial services.

Schmitz lives in Canby with his wife, Jenna.

“I’d invite everyone to come out and enjoy the many activities and events that will be a part of Hat Daze 2025,” he said.