Dayton Days has three days of free family fun this weekend

According to Dayton Days Committee chairman Keith Reichert, what started as a parade in celebration of the United States bicentennial, 45 years ago, has evolved into something much more for the residents and visitors to the small town of Dayton. 

This simple but beloved parade became Dayton Days. The celebration now hosts a 1 mile fun run for those 3 – 80 years of age, a pool party for high schoolers, a movie in the park for families, the crowd favored Cowpie Classic and new for this year, the Big Horns tennis shoe kick off.

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program, Reichert explained a little about the Cow-pie Classic.

A friendly competition is held during the event with each hole awarding a winner, both males and females. A Duke and Duchess driving tournament will also be held for $5 a shot. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the Dayton Benefit Club. The winners of the competition will receive the other half of the fees as a prize.  

Events kick off Friday night with the Cow-pie Classic registration at 5:30 p.m. July 29. The Tennis shoe kick-off will follow.

New this year is the Foot of the Big Horns tennis shoe kick off, which will be held on the grass near the Art Badget Pool.

The High School pool party begins at 9 p.m. –11 p.m. DJ services provided by Imagery Sound, Chad Rose.

Scott Park will host  the “Movie in the park”. This year there will be a showing of Disney’s “Encanto” Rated PG.

Saturday will begin with the Dayton/Ranchester Rotary Club preparing a pancake breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. The 1 mile fun run will follow and top runners will be awarded. 

The parade will begin at 10 a.m.and a Native American Pow Wow will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Games to follow include: 

Duck Race (500 ducks, the Dayton 500) at noon

Volleyball tourney

Pie Eating contest

Water Fight at 2 p.m., organized by the Dayton Volunteer fire department

Plinko

Home Depot Crafts for kids

Dime toss

Corn Hole Tourney

3- legged race

Wheelbarrow race

Sack race

Watermelon seed spitting contest

Scavenger Hunt

According to Reichert, a sign up table for all these events will be available at the pancake breakfast or in the park after the parade.