Forest City’s fourth annual community celebration, Puckerbrush Days, is this weekend.

There are numerous events and activities going on around town.

The history behind the unique name is quite unusual. The town used to be surrounded by a dense brush called puckerbrush. The bush was covered with berries and when eaten, it made you pucker. The brush has been gone from Forest City for quite a while but the name stands as a symbol of the city’s history.

Puckerbrush Days is from July 16 to 19 this year. During the four days of fun there will be plenty of things to do such as, bounce house’s, ice cream socials and a 5K, according to the Forest City Chamber of Commerce website.

Every Puckerbrush Days has a theme to go along with the celebration. The theme this year is Aussie wildlife. The theme is usually in conjunction with the Grand National Rally, according to Forest City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Rollefson.

“Puckerbrush Days is a fundraising opportunity for the civic and social groups of our town,” Rollefson said. “We wouldn’t be able to put it on all ourselves without the local groups that step up; it takes a lot of volunteers to put on an event like this so having these very active groups helps a lot.”

If you would like to know more about Puckerbrush days, or would like to volunteer you can contact the Forest City Chamber of Commerce at 641-585-2092.

Schedule of events

Thursday, July 16

5-7 p.m.: Color guard brat/ hot dog feed, S. Clark St.

5 p.m.- close: Boy Snack Shack, Courthouse Lawn

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Creative Spirits painting class, 139 N. Clark St.

8-10 p.m.: Middle School pool party with a DJ, FC Aquatic Center

 

Friday, July 17 

7-11 a.m.: Heritage Park French Toast Breakfast, Steel Wheel Cafe

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Red Cross Blood Drive, Waldorf College Atrium

10:30-11:30 a.m.: Kid’s local celebrity story hour, FC Public Library

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Salad luncheon, Immanuel Lutheran Church

11 a.m.-close: Boy Scout Snack Shack, Courthouse lawn

4:30-6:30 p.m.: Lion’s pork/corn feed, S. Clark St.

5-6:30 p.m.: Free watermelon, Courthouse lawn

5-7 p.m.: Ice cream social, Courthouse lawn

5-7 p.m.: Bounce Houses, Courthouse lawn

5:15 p.m.: Flag disposal ceremony, S. Clark St.

5:30 p.m.-7:30p.m.: Pre-register for 5k/1k/tot trot, Salveson Hall Porch

5:45 p.m.: Crowning of Little Mr/Miss Puckerbrush, S.Clark St.

6 p.m.: Pee Wee baseball tournament, Pammel Park

7-8 p.m.: Battle of the businesses, S. Clark St.

 

Saturday, July 18

6:30 a.m.:Registration for 5K/1k/Tot trot, Salveson Hall

7:30 a.m.: 5K starts, Salveson Hall

7:10 a.m.: Legion Pancake Breakfast, American Legion

7:30-9:30 a.m.: Fishing contest, Pammel Park

8:30 a.m.: 1K & Tot Trot starts, Salveson Hall

9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Craft show, Courthouse Lawn

9 a.m.: Pee Wee baseball tournament, Pammel Park

9:30 a.m.-3p.m.: FC Christian School walking tacos, Courthouse lawn

9:30 a.m.: Boy Scout Snack Shack, Courthouse lawn

10 a.m.: Parade

11:30 a.m.: Kids train, South side of Courthouse

11a.m.- 2:30 p.m.:Bounce houses, Courthouse Lawn

11a.m.-Noon: Rotary BBQ Chicken, J st.

11:30 a.m.: Registration for the pedal pull, S.Clark St.

Noon: Kid power pedal pull starts, S. Clark.St.

Noon: Pie & Ice Cream, Methodist Church

Noon-4 p.m.: Pucker Up kids activities, 4th St.

1 p.m.: Co-ed mud volleyball, Pammel Park

1-3 p.m.: Waterball Competition, Salveson Hall

1-3 p.m.: Fire Truck rides, Salveson Hall

1-4 p.m.: Mansion Museum Tours, Clark St.

1-4 p.m.: Mt. Valley Vineyard Open, 340 St.

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Triple S Dance Studio Performance,S Clark St.

2-3 p.m.: Dog agility demonstration, Waldorf College Lawn West of Library

3:15 p.m.: Punch Card Grand Prize Drawing, S Clark St.

4-5 p.m.: Historical Society Gospel Concert, Trinity Church

5-6 p.m.: Historical Society Gospel Concert, Trinity Church

6-7 p.m.: Historical Society Gospel Concert, Trinity Church

6:30 p.m.: Go-kart racing, Southtown Speedway

9-9:45 p.m.: Municipal Band, Pammel Park

9:45 p.m.: Fireworks, Pammel Park

 

Sunday, June 19 

7-11 a.m.: Flight Breakfast, Municipal Airport

8 a.m.: Heritage festival, Heritage Park

9 a.m.: Pee Wee baseball tournament, Pammel Park

1-3 p.m.: Free play pickleball, City Tennis Courts

1-4 p.m.: Mansion Museum tours, N Clark St.

1-5 p.m.: “Somethin’ Country” performance, Mt. Valley Vineyard

2-4 p.m.: Creative Spirits kids painting class, N. Clark St.

3:30 p.m.: Variety Show, FC High School Auditorium

5 p.m.: Fine arts patrons meal, FC High School Cafeteria