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Country Days Ahead

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Country Days, an annual event at the Bolivar square, is scheduled to take place on Saturday,
Sept. 10 this year. People from all over Polk County and nearby communities will enjoy food
vendors, booths, games, and other festivities.

“The Downtown Bolivar Association is thrilled to continue to bring the area its largest family
event every summer,” says Susan Sparks, coordinator of Country Days. “Our wonderful 100%
volunteer staff works hard throughout the year to bring the opportunity for our community to
come together and celebrate a long-standing tradition called Country Days.”

Sparks, along with the Downtown Bolivar Association, has fun activities planned for everyone
and will even introduce some new entertainment and contests this year.


Entertainment

The lineup for this year’s entertainment at Country Days includes a wide array of performances.

According to the Downtown Bolivar Association’s online schedule, local dance and gymnastics
groups will once again take the spotlight on the Springfield Ave. stage.

Tumbles Gymnastics will kick off the entertainment festivities starting at 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
with splits, cartwheels, and more.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Center Stage Dance Academy will hit the floor to show off their
dance moves.

Bringing some pep to the stage, cheerleaders and dancers from Cheers! Elite Spirit will also be at
the square from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Downtown Bolivar Association is also welcoming entertainer and athlete Pogo Fred back to
Country Days.

Well-known for earning multiple Guinness World Records due to his daring pogo flips and
stunts, Pogo Fred was highly popular among the crowds at Country Days in 2019.

According to his website, Pogo Fred has been highlighted on various occasions, making
appearances on various television shows, like America’s Got Talent and the Ellen Degeneres
Show, and even on a 2012 Olympics’ Nike commercial.

Pogo Fred will follow the various dance and athletic groups by showcasing his talent from 10:30
a.m. to 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the street stage.

Musicians on the Main Street stage include local artist Lyal Strickland and bands Brother Zehr
and Sunset to Burns.

Strickland, a singer/songwriter from Buffalo, is scheduled to make his performance at 10 a.m. to
11:30 a.m.

Afterward, members of the rock group Brother Zehr will take the stage at 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., to
entertain guests at Country Days.

The last musical performance of the day will be held at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a performance
from Sunset to Burns, primarily known for their country, bluegrass, and rock music.


Contests

While attendees can enjoy the talents of musicians and athletes on Sept. 10, now is the time for
Country Days contestants to be planning their winning strategies for the upcoming competitions.

The Downtown Bolivar Association is introducing a new Country Days competition for children
called the Enchanted House (or Hut) Contest.

Kids can participate for a $2 entry fee to build the best house or hut from either natural materials
(sticks, pebbles, moss, dry grasses, etc.) or reused/recycled materials (soda cans, legos, shoe box,
flower pots, etc.).

Entries will be displayed in the Enchanted Alley, that is, the new “kids zone” at Country Days.
The Enchanted Alley will include booths with hands-on craft projects and photo opportunities
for children.

In addition to these changes, the Downtown Bolivar Association is also revamping the annual
Country Days Cupcake Contest by adding a “Chopped Challenge,” requiring each entry to
contain a minimum of three of the following ingredients: popcorn, circus peanuts, Twinkies, root
beer, chocolate covered bacon, pretzels, cotton candy, and funnel cake.

Each entry must be a set of three matching cupcakes. However, participants may enter up to
three different sets of cupcakes. Registration costs $3 per entry.

While these changes are taking place, the Downtown Bolivar Association will also be bringing
back other yearly Country Days competitions, including the car show and photography contest.

Car enthusiasts will need to submit a $20 registration fee per entry in order to participate.

Questions about the car show can be directed by phone to Annette Gray at 417-839-1922 or
Chrystal Jones at 417-209-3061. Updates will periodically be posted on the Downtown Bolivar
Association’s Facebook page.

The public is also welcome to participate in the Country Days Photography Contest, sponsored
by the Bolivar Herald-Free Press and the Downtown Bolivar Association.

Age groups will be split into youth (age 17 and younger) and adults (age 18 and up). The fee to
enter the contest is $2 for each entry. For more information about the photography contest, call
417-422-3522.

To view submission requirements and deadlines for each contest, print a registration form on the
Downtown Bolivar Association’s Facebook page or pick up a form at Polk County Genealogical
Society on the southeast corner of the square.


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