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Blue Earth’s Jolly Green Giant turns 40!

By Staff | Jul 7, 2019

Giant Days begins this year on Friday, July 12, with many events taking place during the weekend.

Summer’s in the air. We have a giant plan for a giant filled summer. Please join us in beautiful Blue Earth for a summer full of food, fun and festivities.

The Chamber collaborates with a variety of venues to celebrate with entertainment for all ages during this giant summer full of fun, with careful planning and checking and checking once again. We are proud to be a part of Blue Earth area planning a fun and memorable season for everyone.

Our Giant Days annual event takes place every year on the weekend after the Fourth of July weekend by celebrating our Giant’s birthday with Giant Days. This year we celebrate his big 40th birthday with all kinds of giant fun. Join everyone for a free giant cupcake and ice cream party from 6-7 p.m. at the Giant Party on Friday.

The Giant Days events open Friday, July 12, with a kick off at noon on Main and Seventh streets with Bevcomm and First Bank Blue Earth’s annual Customer Appreciation Lunch served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Their employees enjoy serving the free lunch menu of hot dogs, chips and root beer floats. In case of rain, it will be served inside as a come and go from the Wakefield Room connected to Hamilton Hall.

Join in the festivities at Giant Park at 5:30 p.m. The food vendors will be set up selling a variety of tasty fares. Quench your thirst at the giant Lemon Stand and save your refillable cup for Saturday. The Giant Welcome Center, Souvenir Shop/ Tourist Information Center and Giant Museum hopes to be open as well, into the evening, selling Giant tees, frisbees, postcards, Blue Earth tees, rock candy and our Daniel Boone souvenir line. The Green Giant may visit, too.

The revelry continues until 9:30 p.m. Following all this giant fun a spectacular show behind the Giant and also the fabulous annual fireworks, shot off east of the Blue Earth Area High School to follow. Lay out your blankets and set up your lawn chairs east of the Giant and enjoy.

Thank you to First Bank Blue Earth and Bevcomm for this fabulous end of a festive evening. Thank you to the Blue Earth Fire Department for safely sending off the show of the night.

The KBEW Dance DJs will entertain us with music and games and game prizes from 7-9:30 p.m. They have been sponsored annually by Anderson Electric, one of many who are always doing special things for the Chamber and Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). This is always a fun, free evening to dance the night away, eat treats, and shop the souvenir shop inside the new Giant Welcome Center.

Another fun-for-all added attraction at the Giant is not just the 1-mile Sprout Run at 6 p.m. for ages 5-15, but also the 5K Walk, and 10K Run at 7 p.m. with a start and finish at the Giant. A great activity for all ages. Come cheer the runners on or join in the FunRun. There is always lots of parking available at the park, and to the west on the grassy areas of the fairgrounds.

Saturday, July 13, there are activities for everyone roundabout town throughout the whole day. Activities at the fairgrounds include a Bike Ride at 7 a.m. and the Trinity Fair Stand will be hosting their annual Bake Sale from 8-10 a.m. You can purchase coffee and goodies.

Enjoy the Faribault County Historical Society’s annual fundraiser in the Veterans Building with their old-fashioned pie and ice cream social and a full meal hosted by the Faribault County Historical Society from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. After enjoying their tasty meal take a stroll along History Lane. The Street Rod and Classic Car Show exhibitors will show again in the center of the fairgrounds from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pea Pod will also be up and running for those on the north end of town, located in the Blue Earth Locker parking lot.

On Main Street and roundabout town, retailers will be hosting fun and some giant specials in their stores. Enjoy the shade in Gazebo Park and enjoy the variety of food, fun and festivities hosted by the Chamber and Convention & Visitors Bureau, entertaining all ages. The food vendors from the Giant Party the night before will be available with their foods again on Saturday, possibly at the Giant Park and uptown in Gazebo Park. The BIC committee is hosting face painting, balloon creations and more…

Flower lovers will join in on the 21st Annual Giant Garden Tour. The times of the tours are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The car pool tours are guided by Cindy Lyon. The sites will be announced soon.

Stop by the Giant Welcome Center for some surprising giant fun Saturday as well. Details to be announced later.

Join us at 5 p.m. along 14th Street and on down Main for the Giant Days Parade. We have some new giant entertainment lined up. We are grateful to Bob and Becky Spencer and Al and Kathy Johnson for assisting us with the parade route marking and guiding the parade participants to their assigned spot in the 100-plus line up out at Wilson Field. The forms for participating in the parade have been mailed out. If you are interested in being a part of the parade, print one off the website or stop by the Chamber.

Wrap up the giant weekend by joining crowds of alumni, friends and family at the Eagles fundraising dance featuring the band “Powerhouse” being held at the Faribault County Fairgrounds next to the Veterans Memorial building. The Blue Earth Eagles Club has taken over this giant task as a fundraiser with wrist band charge and beverages sold on site. They also provide pick up and drop off