HAYWARD— After a year off, local excitement and support has allowed the Hayward Days festival to return in its full capacity this weekend.

The action begins on Saturday morning with the finish of the fourth annual April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon in front of Hayward Lutheran Church. Also beginning the festivities is the softball tournament, which has been pushed back from the previously reported start time of Friday night.

Nick Semple, president of the Hayward Boosters Club, said the event took a year off from festivities because the booster club couldn’t financially support the entire celebration without the support of the local bar, which usually covers the band, alcoholic beverages and other items for the street dance and other events.

Finances are tight again for this year’s events because the booster club was unable to sell products at a food stand last year. However with the help of the community and Julio’s Bar, many of the classic events of Hayward Days will return along with a few fresh ideas.

A classic staple of the festival will begin on Saturday at noon. The mud bog will be held at a site located west of the school.

“That’s our big attraction,” Semple said. “Money from the race goes to the Hayward Fire Department Relief Association.”

The most anticipated event of the weekend is the Saturday night street dance. Julio’s Bar is still under construction, but they will still hold the event in front of the structure. Portions of Front and Main Street will be closed for the dance.

The bar will be providing the entertainment for the night. They have the Kat Blu Band scheduled to perform with the beer garden open until 1 a.m.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Booster Club will open their food stand selling bratwurst, pork patties, nachos, pop and water. Money raised by the food stand will go toward next year’s event and city improvements.

New to this year’s Hayward Days is the classic car show. The show will be participant judged, with awards given to the top 15 competitors. A Best of Show award will also be distributed. The car show is slated to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The weekend’s events end on Sunday with a coffee hour at the Hayward Lutheran Church at 9:15 a.m. Following the coffee hour will be an outdoor worship.

Hayward Days schedule of events

Saturday, July 9
7:30 a.m.: April Sorensen Half Marathon
8 a.m.: Softball tournament
8 a.m.: City-wide garage sales
8 to 11 a.m.: Bake sale and brunch
9-11 a.m.: Mud bog registration
10 a.m.: Hayward Days classic car show
12 p.m. Mud bog begins
4 to 8 p.m.: Cabin Fever Band
5 p.m.: Hayward Boosters Club food stand opens
8 p.m.: Street dance

Sunday, July 10
8 a.m.: Softball tournament
9:15 a.m.: Coffee hour
10 a.m.: Outdoor worship