Wauneta Harvest Fest begins today

By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
    The 2026 Wauneta Harvest Festival kicks off today, Thursday, Jujy 23, with free swimming from 1:00-5:00 p.m., sponsored by the Beauty Barn.
    Dundy County Hospital will sponsor free night swimming from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and walking tacos will be served at the ballfield by the Bronco Volleyball Team from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The WVFD softball game will start at 7:00 at the baseball field.
    On Friday, July 24, Rural Rehab Services and Bloom Marketing will sponsor Chalk the Walk all day long on main street.
    The Chamber’s Farmers Market will run from 9:00-12:00 under Harchelroad’s Awning. Also at 9:00, the Photo Contest winner will be announced under the awning.
    From 11:00-12:00, Wauneta EMS Lunch Fundraiser will be served under the awning. Sandhills Bank will sponsor free swimming from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00, with pool games and a coin dive at 4:30.
    From 4:00-8:00, HFC Egress will sponsor the HFC Fun Zone at the park. The Galen Todd Cornhole Tournament will start at 5:30 at the tennis courts.
    Saturday, July 25 gets an early start with the Yucca Run starting at 7:30 at the WPS Track. The one mile fun run/walk and kid run starts at 8:00 at the track.
    BW Telcom will host a Courtesy Breakfast from 7:00-9:00. There will also be cars and coffee on main street from 7:00-9:30.
    At 9:00 at the firehall, there will be a bloody Mary Contest, with a $10 entry fee. Meadowlark Lane will sponsor balloon twisting and face painting at 9:30.
    The Parade starts at 10:00 on main street. The FFA Duck Race starts at 11:00 on the river.
    At 11:00 there will be a watermelon eating contest at the firehall, quarter beer at Goodtimes Bar, a presentation of 100 years of Wauneta Roller Mill at the senior center and from 11:00-12:30, Hometown Agency Courtesy Lunch will be served at BW Telcom.
    The WVFD water fights will start at noon on main street.
    BW Telcom will sponsor free swimming from 1:00-5:00. The Cody Fanning Horseshoe Tournament starts at 1:00 at the football field.
    HFC Egress and Fanning Farm Repair will sponsor the HFC Fun Zone at the park from 2:00-6:00.
    Live music will start at 2:30 on main street with Loaded Dice performing. At 3:00, the Beauty Bar Margarita Contest will be held at the firehall. There is a $10 entry fee.
    The night wraps up with sand volleyball at the park starting at 6:00.
    Sunday, July 26, at 10:00, there will be a Cowboy Church Service with Pastor Dave Hogsett Officiating under the Harchelroad awning. All are welcome. Please bring a lawn chair if possible.
    Wauneta Senior Center will serve a Sunday Dinner from 11:00-1:00. The dinner will include Chicken and Noodles with mashed potatoes. Cost for the meal is $12 for 10 and over, $7 for kids 2-10 and kids under 2 eat free of charge.
    Mr. and Mrs. Beau Kramer will host free swimming Sunday from 1:00-5:00.
    You can register for events and check for updates at WaunetHarvestFestival.com.
    Susies is offering Harvest Festival Apparel. There will be food and drink specials at participating Chamber Businesses.
    Food Vendors will be: Pits and Spits; Champion Pizza Company (Fri & Sat); The Frenchman Frost; The Scoop (Fri & Sat) and The Soda Lab (Sat).