Dorchester Days on tap this weekend

Dorchester Days will be back in full force this year, bringing four days of family entertainment to Central Wisconsin.

The 63rd annual event will represent a return to normal for the festival, which was significantly scaled back last year due to COVID-19.

The fun will start on Thursday night, with the opening of Badgerland Midways Rides and Amusements from 5 to 9 p.m. The midway will be open throughout the weekend, along with the traditional beer and food stands.

A volleyball tournament at the village park will also begin Thursday and run until Saturday. Call Cindy Steen at 715316-5067 with any questions.

Friday night’s main event will be championship tractor pulling, featuring seven different classes, including 6,500lb Light Unlimited Super Stock, 8,000-lb Limited Pro Stock, 9,300-lb Super Farm, 11,000-lb Hot Farm, 11,200-lb (12 mph paced), 11,500-lb (8 mph paced) and 8,500lb Street Legal Diesel Trucks.

The winner of the 11,500-lb class will receive one year’s free use of a Meyer’s forage box.

Registration runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the pulls starting at 6 p.m.

Friday night will also feature a live performance by Boogie and The Yo-yoz, starting at 9 p.m.

Free kids activities will be held in front of the food stands, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday. These include a Chuck the Chicken For Cash, Guess Your Way to a Free Wristband and Prize Pinwheel.

Music by the Strat Cats will be performed from 3 to 7 p.m., and truck pulls will start at 5 p.m. (registration runs from 4 to 6 p.m.) The pulls will feature eight classes: 4x4 Street Stock 6,200-lb, 4x4 Improved Stock, 4x4 Super Stock 6,200-lb, 4x4 2.5 Diesel Trucks (8,000-lb maximum), 5,800-lb tractor, 7,000-lb (12 mph pace), 8,000-lb pro farm and 11,200-lb (12 mph pace) with ag tires.

A concert by Big Deeks will start at 9 p.m. Saturday night.

Sunday will kick off with the charcoal chicken dinner, which will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Memorial Hall (takeouts available).

The annual parade gets underway at 11:30 a.m. (registration runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m.) The 19th Annual Father’s Day Car and Truck and Antique Tractor Show will run throughout the day, with registration running from 9 to 11 a.m. and awards being presented at 1 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available, and door prizes and raffles will given out throughout the show. Contact Larry Olson at 715-613-0854 for more information.

Live music by the Rowdy Boys will be performed from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.