The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the ATV Sunset Cruise

WAITSBURG-The third weekend of May is here, and after two years of cancellations, Waitsburg Celebration Days is back and bigger than ever.

The weekend-long event will kick off on Friday, May 20, with the annual Sunset Cruise ATV Ride. ATV riders can check in at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds, near the former parimutuel betting booths, starting at 4:00 p.m. Route information will be available at check-in, and riders and drivers are asked to stay on the route. The ride begins at 5 p.m.

Celebration Days Hostesses Ashlyn Brooks and Hope Adkins will be joining the ATV crowd during check-in for a meet and greet event. Desserts will be available for by-donation purchases to take along on your ride.

If you'd rather stay in town and enjoy a backyard bbq or dinner at any of the town's restaurants, the Sunset Car Cruise will make its way through Waitsburg and along the back roads, starting at 6 p.m.

You won't want to wait to get a seat on Main Street Saturday morning, but don't worry about making pancakes and coffee at home. The American Legion will begin serving breakfast at 7 a.m, at the Town Hall, 121 Main Street, and Ten Ton Coffee opens at 7:30 a.m for all of your caffeine needs. Vendors will open up at the Bruce Mansion, 330 Main Street, at 9 a.m.

Parade festivities get going right away, with the crowd-favorite Kiddie Parade starting at 9 a.m, followed by the Main Street Parade at 10 a.m. As press time, nearly 40 floats, mounted royalty courts, and local service organizations were entered for the parade. Late entries will be accepted up until the morning of the parade. Contact Erica Grende or Cindy Daves for parade entry applications. Please note that Main Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday morning.

Make your way over to Preston Park between 10:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m to check out the classic cars, trucks, and bikes entered in the One of a Kind Auto Show. The Waitsburg Fireman's Association will be hosting a 21-and-over beer garden, with proceeds benefitting the local association and volunteer firefighters. The Waitsburg Home and School Association will be serving hot dogs for lunch, raising money to help fund projects including the back-to-school bags that HASA provides for all Waitsburg School District students each fall.

With engines revving, Karen's ATV Poker Ride will head out at 11 a.m, with cash prizes for qualifying riders. Registration for the event closes on Friday, May 20. Event information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/hzfksus.

Other Saturday afternoon events include a Civil-War Era Firearms display at the Plaza Theater, and the historic Bruce Mansion and Wilson-Phillips House will be open for tours.

The evening ends at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds with the Burgers, Bands, and Brews dinner, starting at 5 p.m. Stick around and get your boots dusty later that night, as Tri-Cities based band, The Shades, rocks the night in the Don Thomas building, starting at 8 p.m. Burgers, Bands, and Brews is a family-friendly event, however, the live music event is 21 and over only. Tickets are available for purchase at https://tinyurl.com/2k3xrnm3.

If burgers and brews aren't your things, don't write Waitsburg off quite yet.The local shops have plenty to offer for food lovers. Stop by the newest restaurant, American 35, for artisan pizza, cocktails, local craft beers, and an overall good time. The former American Legion Hall will be open Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m to 9 p.m, and Sunday from 11 a.m to 7 p.m.

The Royal Block will feature extended hours for the weekend celebration. Known for its historic location and carefully-selected local wines and unique snacking options, the Main Street wine bar will be open from 4 p.m to 9 p.m on Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m to 9 p.m on Saturday.

Gaudy Gals on Main will be open for all of your Waitsburg one-of-a-kind shopping! Located inside Town Hall, the gift shop is home to artist Kimi Bruzas, who designed the 2022 Waitsburg Celebration Days posters. Her sister, Lori Sharp-Davis, has an eye for all things shiny, sparkly, and vintage and has curated a wonderful collection of jewelry, candles, kitchen items, and more! Gaudy Gals will be open Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m until 5 p.m.

Laht Neppur Brewing Co. and Whisky C's will be operating their regular hours, as well. If Waitsburg has one thing... it's plenty of options.

A Soap Box Derby will roll by Preston Park on Sunday morning, starting at 9 a.m, followed immediately by a 10 a.m Cowboy Church in the park. Luck of the Duck will swim down the river at 11 a.m, with winners announced that same day.

The fairgrounds will be lively, once again, as the Dayton-Waitsburg Softball Team takes on the Community. The first-ever Waitsburg Celebration Days Softball Game is sure to hit it out of the park, with the first pitch being thrown at 12 p.m. If you get a little heated, don't worry. Grab a ticket and try your best at the Dunk Tank, also located at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. Mayor Marty Dunn, Senator Perry Dozier, Fire Chief Colter Mohney, and Deputy Ian Edwards are just a few of the Dunk Tank highlights.

Waitsburg Celebration Days is made possible by a small group of local volunteers, and their much-appreciated sponsors. Thank you to all of the businesses who sponsored the 2022 Waitsburg Celebration Days!