Mendota Days 2012 Arrives July 13-14

Mendota Days are here again, and as classic as ever.

The annual event first began in 1970, and still attracts a crowd every summer.

"You see people you haven't seen in a while," said Mendota resident David Robinette. "People come back to Mendota for the weekend."

All events will take place at the on Sibley Memorial Highway.

The two-day event kicks off Friday evening. Get off work, grab a drink, and get into the weekend state of mind.

The beer and food garden outside the VFW will open at 5 p.m. The grills will be fired up with the tradition offerings of cheeseburgers, brats and hotdogs. 

The band Blues 2-11 is back and scheduled to play from 7-11 p.m.

Saturday's Parade

The parade steps off at noon on Saturday. According to VFW Quartermaster Don Collier, about 30 units are signed up this year. In addition to favorites including the accordion-playing gorilla, honor guards and the Vulcans, a troupe of Renaissance Fair characters will be joining the show down Highway 13. 

After the parade, mozy over to the food and beer garden for lunch. Kids can enjoy the petting zoo and inflatable jumpers from 1-5 p.m.

Music on Saturday begins with the Dalgren Bros Band (country western) from 1:30-5 p.m. After a break for dinner, the Beatles tribute band A Hard Day's Night will play from 7-11 p.m.

Cross your fingers that the temps stay down and the clouds stay high. As of Tuesday, the weekend forecast for Mendota predicts a relatively balmy teperature of 70-85 degrees on both Friday and Saturday, and a 30 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms. 

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