JAMESTOWN — Activities ranging from a parade to a car show, music and street dance are featured at this year’s Buffalo Days from July 26-28.

Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, which provides the marketing for the event, said Buffalo Days is a way to celebrate Jamestown.

“I know a lot of folks plan around the weekend (of events),” she said.

High school reunions and family reunions are typically held during Buffalo Days, she said.

“I don’t think it is possible for one person to take in every single thing on this list (of activities) but that’s the point,” Bivens added. “We want to have a variety of stuff so it appeals to a variety of people and have something everyone that would want to enjoy.”

New events this year include a duck race fundraiser on Friday held by the Prairie Rose Swim Club, Bivens said.

Ben Smith, head coach for the club, said people can “buy” a rubber duck for $10 from any swim team club member before the event. The ducks will be released in the James River and prizes will be given to the five fastest ducks. People don’t have to be present to see their duck win, he said.

The club, which ranges in age from 5 to adults, practices swimming and competes in swimming competitions, Smith said. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward pool equipment.

Also on Friday are two performances of “Seussical JR.” at 3 and 6 p.m. at The Arts Center. There are 45 students involved in the production, done in collaboration with Two Rivers Performing Arts School, said Mindi Schmitz, executive director of The Arts Center.

From the musical’s synopsis, Dr. Suess’ The Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, the kind-hearted elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whoville. He must protect the speck of dust while also guarding an abandoned egg left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Only his plucky neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, never loses faith in him. Despite all odds, Horton and Gertrude band together to save the Whos, free Horton, and restore peace and unity to the Jungle of Nool. “Seussical JR.” teaches the power of being unique and the importance of fighting for your beliefs.

Performances of “Seussical JR.” are also at 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can be purchased by visiting

jamestownarts.com

and signing up through Eventbrite.

The Buffalo Days Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and the lineup starts at 8:30 a.m. in McElroy Park, Bivens said. The parade route will leave from the park by the Jamestown Parks and Recreation office heading north on 2nd Avenue. It will turn left onto 9th Street to First Avenue, then remain on First Avenue and end at First Street by Babb’s Coffeehouse and the Buffalo Grill. The parade route will not cross the railroad tracks.

“It’s usually lasted about an hour,” Bivens said. “We’ve had anywhere from 50 to 75 or so floats. I’m anticipating a big parade because July has been somewhat quiet with events in Jamestown.”

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., events at McElroy Park include the Buffalo Rally Show and Shine, vendor show (including several food vendors) and Dakota inflatables. Sugar Gliders will provide music from 1 to 3 p.m.

Outdoor historic games will be from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, where hands-on civic exhibits can also be featured.

People wanting breakfast before or after the parade can find it at the Jamestown Fire Department fire station. The annual pancake breakfast sponsored by the fire department served 1,213 people last year, said Fire Chief Jim Reuther. The breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon offers pancakes, Cavendish potato rounds, sausage and coffee, milk, water and orange juice for a freewill offering.

“The biggest thing is that we enjoy the public coming in and visiting with us,” Reuther said.

He said many people who come for the breakfast have never been in the fire station building.

“We look forward to it every year,” Reuther said.

JFD personnel make and serve the breakfast and the freewill offering proceeds and donations are used to purchase equipment, Reuther said. Last year, it raised about $8,000, he said. Equipment purchased through the years has included new leather firefighting boots for all firefighters to a meter purchased from last year’s event that detects the presence of hydrogen cyanide after a fire, he said.

“It’s amazing, the support we get from the community, the surrounding community,” Reuther said.

JFD equipment will be on display, Sparky, the fire dog mascot, will attend, and kids can use a fire hose to spray water at the fake flames on a small house to knock the “flames” out, he said.

The Mini Art Hunt hosted by The Arts Center kicks off at 10 a.m. Twelve mini gnomes created by artist Cindi Psychos will be hidden in Jamestown parks. Clues will be released at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., and the hunt ends when all are found. The artwork will be hidden in plain sight — people do not have to move, dig or damage anything to find them. The clues will be posted on The Arts Center’s Facebook page. People who find a piece of artwork can keep it and are asked to post a photo of themselves with their find to The Arts Center’s Facebook page or contact The Arts Center at 251-2496 or

[email protected]

to report their find.

The Kickball Palooza organized by the Jamestown Optimist Club starts at 11 a.m. at the North Dakota Farmers Union camp park.

The Young Professionals of Jamestown, a chamber committee, is hosting a cornhole tournament starting at 3:30 p.m. at Drift Prairie Brewing Co.

On Sunday, a Splash Bash is from 1 to 3 p.m. at Meidinger Splash Park. The James Valley Offroaders Mud Drags begin at 1 p.m. at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds.

“The whole (Buffalo Days) event is made possible by these large sponsors that the chamber solicits … that helps pay for the overall marketing of the weekend,” Bivens said.

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Friday, July 26

1 p.m.: This Putt’s For “U” for Jamestown United Way at Hillcrest Golf Course

3 and 6 p.m.: “Seussical JR.,” at The Arts Center

5 p.m.: Prairie Rose Swim Club duck race fundraiser, McElroy Park

Saturday, July 27

7 a.m.-noon: Pancake breakfast, Jamestown Fire Department

8:30 a.m.m: lineup begins for Buffalo Days Parade

9:30 a.m.: Buffalo Days Parade on First Avenue

10 a.m.: Mini Art Hunt hosted by The Arts Center

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.: Hands-on history and outdoor historic games at 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Buffalo Rally Show and Shine, Vendor Show, Dakota Inflatables at McElroy Park

11 a.m.: Kickball Palooza at Farmers Union Camp Park, organized by Jamestown Optimist Club

1-3 p.m.: Sugar Gliders band at McElroy Park

3 and 6 p.m.: “Seussical JR.,” at The Arts Center

3:30 p.m.: YPJ Cornhole Tournament at Drift Prairie Brewery

6 p.m.-midnight: Street dance featuring Tailspin at the Corner Bar

8 p.m.: Rock ‘N The Resort at Spiritwood Resort featuring Hairball

Sunday, July 28

1-3 p.m.: Splash Bash, Meidinger Splash Park

1 p.m.: James Valley Offroaders Mud Drags at Stutsman County Fairgrounds