Lawnmower races are a staple of the Territorial Days celebrations.
Two men cut into a large log at last years Log Show during Territorial Days.
Amboy is preparing to celebrate Territorial Days at Amboy Territorial Park, 21400 NE 399th St., Amboy. The events start at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 12 with the silent auction and photography show. Later in the night, from 6 – 9 p.m., is bingo in the Fargher Lake Store Tent. This year the beer garden opens at 5 p.m. and is hosting a free 21 and up concert at 7 p.m.
Throughout the entire event, there will be different arts and crafts vendors, children’s play areas and food and beverage vendors around the park, open to close.
Saturday kicks off at 7 a.m. with Boy Scout Troop 349 serving breakfast until 10, when the parade starts at Amboy Middle School and ends at the park. This year, the Grand Marshal for the parade is American Legion Tum Tum Post 168.
According to Diana Requa of the Territorial Days Board of Directors, the American Legion was chosen to be the Grand Marshal of the parade this year not only because of the theme this year (“Home of the Free Because of the Brave”) but also because it is the American Legion’s 100th birthday and the 78th year of Tum Tum Post 168.
“This year American Legion Tum Tum Post 168 is honored and proud to represent the Amboy Territorial Days as the Parade Grand Marshal,” Post 168 wrote in a bulletin. “We also remain proud to be members of the Amboy community of friends and neighbors that are more like our family.”
At noon Saturday, the Log Show, a Territorial Days staple begins at Waser Arena.
“It is so unique to our community to see those different events in action,” Requa said about the log show. “To watch them running on the log, climbing the pole and ringing the bell on top. It’s fun.”
This year’s Bull of the Woods is Jack Kelley of Amboy. Born June 19, 1935, Kelley has spent time as an electrician in the United States Navy and started working at the SDS lumber mill shortly after serving. Kelley worked in the logging industry until his retirement in 1998.
This year, admission to spectate the log show is $5 for everyone above the age of five. Those that wish to compete in log show events can sign up at the log show stage starting at 9 a.m. Youth (6-17) can participate for free, adult contestants are charged $10.
At 7 p.m. Saturday those over 21 can catch a free concert by the 24-7 band in the beer garden tent and stay until the last call at 10:30.
Sunday starts with breakfast by the boy scouts again at 7 a.m. as signups and registration for the Ring of Fire 5K and 10K Fun Runs begin in the parking lot. The park will officially open at 11 a.m. following a service by Amboy Baptist Church at Olstead Stage. Time trials for the Lawnmower Races begin at 1 p.m. and spots fill up fast. Spectator pricing is $5.
2019 Territorial Days will start to come to a close around 2 p.m. on Sunday with the silent auction and photography show ending with awards for the photography show at 3 p.m. Last call in the beer garden is 5:30.
All profits made from Territorial Days go towards improving the park and assisting the local Amboy community. For more information on Territorial Days go to tdays.org, email info@tdays.org or call (360) 247-5101.
