By Lori EhdeLuverne’s 19th Annual Buffalo Days Celebration is this weekend, with special events planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.The most notable change in this year’s lineup is one that most people may not notice. The Arts in the Park events in Luverne City Park are organized this year by the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce.It’s something Jim Viland and the Blue Mound Woodcarvers have long organized, but Chamber Director Dave Smith has worked closely with the group to ensure continuity this year.As usual, it will be a major regional event with 150 vendors from five different states offering a variety of arts and crafts from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.A new attraction in the City Park this year will be Inflatables for kids from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The activities are free, thanks to sponsorship by Sioux Valley Hospital -Luverne.Also new this year will be shuttle bus service from downtown Luverne to the park and back at no charge. The shuttle will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. courtesy of the Marketing Committee of the Chamber.As usual, the Hinkly House and Carnegie Cultural Center will be open special hours to accommodate Buffalo Days visitors. The Hinkly House will be open for tours from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and the Carnegie will be open from 10 to 4 Saturday and from 1 to 4 Sunday.Following is a schedule of all Buffalo Days events:Friday:6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday Night Cruise-In at Magnolia Steak House featuring "Goebies Goldies" 50s and 60s music.6:30 p.m. Buffalo Days Walk and 5K/10K Run beginning at the Rock County Community Pool and Fitness Center. Sponsored by Sioux Valley Hospital-Luverne, the 1- and 2-mile Fitness Walk starts at 6:30 p.m. The half-mile run for kids 12 and younger starts at 7 p.m. and the 5K/10K Run starts at 7:15 p.m.Saturday:7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dad’s Belgian Waffles will be served at the American Legion sponsored by the Southwest Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross.7:45 a.m. Buffalo Bike/Run for one, two or three-person teams. Bike 10 miles, run four miles of trail and run 2 1/2 miles of road. Call 283-2098.10 a.m. Buffalo Days Parade on Main Street.Arts in the Park activities:11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Herman Motors Auto ShowNoon: Tae Kwon Do demonstrations1 to 1:45 p.m. Singin’ Safari Band2 p.m. Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest2 p.m. Tractor Pedal Pull Contest2 to 3 p.m. Spotlight DancersSunday:11:30 a.m. Free Buffalo Burgers at the Blue Mounds State Park. The feed is sponsored by Missouri River Energy Service and Luverne Electric Utility.Sunday is Open House day for all Minnesota state parks, so no vehicle sticker is required.All day Sunday: Skydive Adventures skydiving club will be jumping all day at the airport on South Highway 75, weather permitting.For more information on the weekend, the Chamber phone number is 283-4061.In the Luverne newsletter, Smith encouraged the community to participate in the Buffalo Days weekend."This is a great event and takes a great deal of volunteer efforts to make it happen," he said.
