After Harvest Festival
Every year in Grinnell, the town comes together to celebrate the alumni and community members on the third weekend of July. You will find games and events for all ages to enjoy including a tailgate supper, laser tag and bounce houses, concerts in the park, fireworks, a 5K fun run/walk, breakfast, bike races, a parade, and MORE! This year, come and enjoy the festivities with us July 14-16, 2023.
Friday
July 14, 2023
Gather with alumni, enjoy great food, the car show, a free concert in the park featuring Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations (a local favorite), fireworks, & more!
Saturday
July 15, 2023
Start the day off with a 5k followed by breakfast, and other games for all ages throughout the day! End the evening with a meal, dart tournament, biker olympics, and live music by Brady Nichols.
Sunday
July 16, 2023
Last, but not least, show off your skills on the golf course during the Harvest Fest Shoot’em Up 2 Man Scramble at the Cow Paddy Golf Course. See Registration information below.
The Countdown Begins!
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Alumni Events
Reserve a spot in the park for your class to tailgate together and enjoy the day on Friday. You can start tailgating early in the afternoon, with the official Alumni Welcome at 6:00 pm. Bring your own chairs, sunscreen, bug spray, and shade! Contact Christy to reserve your tailgate spot. 785-673-6786
The class of 1973 is invited to the Cow Paddy Golf Course on Friday afternoon from 3:00 – 6:00 for the 50 year class reunions. Snacks and bottled water will be provided. The class will be honored during the intermission of the Jimmy Dee Band concert.
On Saturday, the 50 year class is invited to meet again for brunch at the Heritage Center from 8:00 – 10:00 am.
The Grinnell Alumni Fun Run/Walk will start off the Saturday morning festivities with registration at 7:00 am and race start at 8:00. Grab a group of family, friends, or classmates to walk or run with other alumni and community members. Registration information can be found below under “Event Registrations”.
The Alumni is welcome to participate in the annual parade down Main Street on Saturday at 10:30 am. Get creative with a fun float to showcase your class! More information can be found below about registration.
On Sunday, the Grinnell Alumni Association hosts a 2 person scramble golf tournament at the Cow Paddy golf course. Open to anyone! Registration on Sunday at 8 am with tee off at 9 am.
Events for All
FRIDAY
12:00 PM – MIDNIGHT
Tailgate in the Park – Bring your own chairs, shade, and refreshments!
There will be food available in the park for purchase.
Call Christy to reserve a spot. 785-673-6786
4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Car Show & Shine – any vehicle!
Registration (4:00-6:00)
Show (6:00-8:30)
Awards (8:30)
6:00 PM
WELCOME GRINNELL ALUMNI! (at the shelter in the park)
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Free Will Donation Pulled Pork Meal (sponsored by Equity Bank & Grinnell Harvest Festival)
Laser Tag
Bounce House
Chicken Poop Bingo (FFA)
Fried Twinkies & Oreos (Grinnell Alumni Association)
6:30 PM
Cornhole Tournament for all ages!
Pong tournament
9:00 PM – MIDNIGHT
Free Concert in Park – Jimmy Dee & the Fabulous Destinations
Firework Show (9:45)
SATURDAY
8:00 AM
5k Fun Run/Walk (Registration begins at 7:00 am)
Softball Tournament begins!
9:00 AM
Free Will Donation Breakfast (GP3)
Poker Run Registration
GP3 Community Market @ Middle School (9am-1pm)
10:00 AM
Parade Line-Up at VFW
10:30 AM
Parade down Main Street
Poker Run begins after parade ends.
11:00 AM
Bike Races – bring your own bike!
Turtle Races
Chicken Poop Bingo (FFA)
12:00 PM
Harvest Fest Hamburger meal ($5 per plate)
Pie & Ice Cream (St. Mary’s Altar Society)
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Water Slide
Train
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Sack Races
Water Balloon Toss
Egg Toss
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Supper will be served and concessions will be available
Other assorted games and fun! (including dart tournament, Biker Olympics, and more!)
7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Brady Nichols concert in the park
Event Registrations
TAILGATE IN THE PARK
FRIDAY (Noon – Midnight)
Gather your classmates, friends, or family and reserve a tailgate spot for the evening events!
Call Christy for a spot. 785-673-6786
View Tailgate map here!
GRINNELL ALUMNI 5K FUN RUN/WALK
SATURDAY (7am Registration – 8am Race Start)
Whether you walk or run, join us for the 5K through the town. Early registrants can pick up their t-shirts Friday night in the park from 7-9 pm during the evening festivities. Race starts at 8 am!
GP3 COMMUNITY MARKET
SATURDAY (9 am – 1:00 pm)
SHOP LOCAL at the GP3 Community Market! Local vendors will be set up in the middle school commons area. Vendors include locally sourced produce and bison meat, homemade jams, soaps & wax melts, custom shirts and gifts, hand-crafted items such as bookmarks, jewelry, and more! Contact Jewel if you’d like to be a vendor. 785-953-7056
SHOOT'EM UP 2 PERSON SCRAMBLE
SUNDAY (8am Registration – 9am Tee Off)
Last, but not least, get a partner and head out to the Cow Paddy Golf Course for a 2-person scramble. Hosted by the Grinnell Alumni Association.
SHOW & SHINE CAR SHOW
FRIDAY (4pm – 8:30pm)
Show off your cars, pickups, motorcycles, and tractors. All ages welcome to enter. Registration begins at 4 pm on Friday. Show starts at 6 pm with awards to follow at 8:30.
SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY (8am)
Adults and/or teens welcome!! Everyone registered will get a shirt and the winning team gets their entry fees back, bragging rights, and soreness/possible bruises as proof. Call Matt Wolf to register your team today!
POKER RUN
SATURDAY (9 am registration)
Meet in front of Hometown Grocery on Main Street to register on Saturday morning. Registration begins at 9 am with kick stands up after the finish of the Grinnell Alumni Annual Parade, which starts at 10:30 am. All proceeds will go back to the Grinnell community!
GRINNELL ALUMNI ANNUAL PARADE
SATURDAY (10am Lineup – 10:30 parade)
Enjoy the parade of firetrucks, tractors, cars, and more. The kids are sure to love it! And once the parade is over, there will be even more food and fun in the park!
