LAKE MILLS, Iowa — After nearly 30 summers, Lake Mills will once again bring a fun variety of family festivities to town Friday through Sunday at the July Jubilee.

This year’s event will include all of the fan favorites of past years: live entertainment and a street dance, inflatables for the kids, the 5k run/walk, sidewalk sales, craft vendors, a parade, the Little Mr. & Miss Contest and an antique car show, just to name a few.

“We invite everyone to come down,” said Marilyn Hoffman, executive director of the Lake Mills Chamber Development Corporation. “It’s a great way to spend a weekend and enjoy time with your family and friends.”

New on the agenda this year are pony rides for the children and Ladies Afternoon Out. Another highlight will be the appearance of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who will ride in the July Jubilee Parade before heading over to Oakwood Park to visit with locals on Saturday.

Topping the agenda for many former graduates of Lake Mills Community School are the class reunions held during each July Jubilee.

“It’s a very social time,” said Hoffman. “After their gatherings, they all head up to the street dance.”

Hoffman said the purpose for the annual festival is to provide family fun at a low cost, so people can come and enjoy what the community has to offer without emptying their pocket books.

Children can enjoy inflatable games at Oakwood Park on Saturday for just $1 per child. Parents simply purchase one wristband for each child, which are good for all of the games the entire day.

Thanks to several area corporate donors covering the cost of the inflatables, local Girl and Boy Scouts will volunteer their time manning the games with all proceeds being donated back to local Girl and Boy Scout Troops.

July Jubilee schedule of events

All Weekend
Quilt show at the Lake Mills Care Center and the Rendezvous on South Mill Street, complete with activities, fry bread and Indian tacos

Friday, July 8:
9 a.m. until gone: Bake sale by Senior Citizens at Truman Helgeson Civic Center
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Sidewalk sales
Noon to 5 p.m.: 5k run and walk
3 p.m.: Pony rides in grassy area near Oakwood Park
4:30 p.m.: Dedication of gardens at 1901 Victorian House & Gardens
5 to 7 p.m.: Wine and food tasting at 1901 Victorian House & Gardens, sponsored by the Lake Mills Area Historical Society
5:30 p.m.: Little Mr. & Miss Contest at Mills Theater
7 p.m.: Beer garden opens
8 p.m.: DJ/karaoke at Cruiser’s Route 69
8:30 p.m. to midnight: Vic Ferrari band

Saturday, July 9:
7:30 a.m.: 5k run and walk begins at Stutzman Physical Therapy, 110 N. Washington St., registration at 7 a.m.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Sidewalk sales
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Flea and craft vendors, Oakwood Park
9:30 a.m.: Kiddie parade
9:30 a.m. until evening: Pony rides in grassy area near Oakwood Park
10:30 a.m.: July Jubilee parade
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Community picnic at Oakwood Park
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: BB Hoop fundraiser at Oakwood Park
11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Antique tractor event hosted by the FFA; silent auction at Oakwood Park
11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Inflatables and concessions at Oakwood Park
Noon to 3 p.m.: Free entertainment at Oakwood Park
Noon to 3 p.m.: Antique car show
Noon to 4 p.m.: Open house at 1901 Victorian House and Country School Museum; Ladies Afternoon Out at 1901 Victorian House
12:30 p.m.: 3-on-3 basketball contest
2 p.m.: Fire department waterball fight
3 p.m.: Sanctioned pedal tractor pull, ages 4 to adult
7 p.m.: Beer garden opens
8 p.m.: Karaoke at Cruiser’s Route 69
8 p.m. to midnight: Sell Out Stereo band

Sunday, July 10
8 a.m. to noon: Ambulance pancake/sausage breakfast at the Lake Mills Civic Center
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Radio controlled air show
9 a.m.: Mud bog starts
1 to 3 p.m.: Open house at 1901 Victorian House and Country School Museum
Noon to 4 p.m.: Pony rides in grassy area near Oakwood Park
3 p.m.: Quilt show judging at Lake Mills Care Center

Corporate donors for community events include: City of Lake Mills, Cummins Filtration, Lake Mills Care Center (ABCM Corp.), Lake Mills Ministerial Association, Manufacturers Bank & Trust, Peterson Sanitation and Winnebago Coop. Telecom Association.