By Jennifer Rogers, Tribune Staff Writer.

The end of the summer is upon us and that means the Wells Kernel Days and Glenville Days celebrations are just around the corner.

Wells Kernel Days, Friday, Aug. 20 to Aug. 22, was started more than 50 years ago and was named so, because a corn processing plant in town gave away free corn for the celebration. The free corn tradition continues to this day with free popcorn being given out after the noon parade on Sunday.

&uot;Some of our bigger events include Friday’s Little Miss Kernel Days pageant and fireworks at dusk,&uot; said Angela Sorenson, executive director of the Wells Chamber of Commerce. &uot;On Saturday we will have inflatable games and family activities at Thompson Park, an evening talent contest followed by a teen dance and a fireman’s dance on Broadway. Sunday is our huge parade at noon and we’re giving away popcorn at Thompson Park following the parade.&uot;

This is Sorenson’s first year as executive director at the Wells Chamber of Commerce a position that requires running the Kernel Days celebration.

&uot;I’m both nervous and excited,&uot; said Sorenson. &uot;It is going to be a very busy weekend and it will be fun to see everyone come out for the different events.&uot;

The Glenville Days celebration will be held Friday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 22, with a steak fry kickoff at the

American Legion Friday night.

&uot;The main day is Saturday with the parade and events in the park,&uot; said Tom Koerber, chairman of the Glenville Days parade and of the advertising department for the event. &uot;There are different things going on in the park from the percussion ensemble performances, the Little Kings and Queens contest, and professional wrestling.

&uot;The Little Kings and Queens contest is made up of area 4-year-olds and it is similar to an episode of ‘Kids say the Darndest Things’,&uot; said Koerber. &uot;We usually get a few fun answers.&uot;

At noon Saturday there will also be a dedication of the gazebo built by Bruce Stolaas and other members of the Glenville community. Part of the Glenville Beautification Committee, the gazebo is the finishing touch for the Glenville Park, a project that was started after the May 2001 tornado hit.

&uot;I’m hopeful that we will have good weather,&uot; said Koerber. &uot;Glenville Days normally brings a large number of people into town. Some of the local families will have reunions the same weekend, they make a big family activity out of attending the events.&uot;

(Contact Jennifer Rogers at jennifer.rogers@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3439.)

If you go …

Wells Kernel Days

– Friday, Aug. 20 &045; Little Miss Kernel Days pageant – 7 p.m., Gordon Hansen Auditorium

Fireworks – dusk, Half Moon Park

– Saturday, Aug. 21 &045;

Inflatable games, family activities, dunk tank – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mud Run – ATV – 11:30 a.m., Compost Site

Bath Tub Races – 1 p.m., Southeast end of 7th Street

Sand Sculpture Contest – 3 p.m., Thompson Park

– Sunday, Aug. 22 &045; VFW Pancake Breakfast – 7 a.m., Wells VFW

Giant Parade – Noon

Free popcorn after parade – Thompson Park

Glenville Days

– Friday, Aug. 20 –

Steak Supper – American Legion

– Saturday, Aug. 21 –

Little Kings and Queens contest – 11:15 a.m., Glenville Park

Percussion ensemble – Noon, Gazebo in Glenville Park

Show and Shine Classic Car Show – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Glenville Park

Cook-off Contest – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., American Legion parking lot

– Sunday, Aug. 22 –

Polka Community Church Service – 8 a.m., Glenville Park

GE Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament – 9:30 a.m., Northwood Golf Course