COOK- If you love traditions, you won’t want to miss this year’s Timber Days festival in Cook beginning Friday, June 7 and running through Sunday, June 9. All the favorites that folks have come to love about Timber Days are back again this year, from the fireworks of Elvis impersonator Sean Wallin to fireworks in the sky, and everything else.
However, people will find something new this year, too, as Cook’s Country Connection will be bringing in some of their friendly animals for a petting zoo on Saturday in the B.I.C. Realty parking lot. It’s part of a kiddie adventure trifecta when combined with pony rides and the nearby popular kids’ games at TG’s Creative Collections on 2nd Ave. SW.
If you want to get started on the fun early this year, the Cook Public Library is open at 9 a.m. Friday for the Friends of the Library Book Sale, with vendors opening to the public at noon. Organizers say they’ve recruited a star-studded list of business owners willing to take a plunge for the cause when the dunk tank opens at 1 p.m. The firefighter’s challenge, bean bag tournament (Friday only this year), and a pair of musical options will round out the downtown festivities, but the fun’s not over until you head out to the Cook Community Center to cheer on the participants in the Virgie Hegg Hospice Partners 5K Run and Walk at 7 p.m. Call 218-742-2369 for information on how to register for this fundraising event, and call early to guarantee getting a t-shirt and swag bag. Race day registration will be available.
Prep your engines for high-octane fun on Saturday, which includes the Classic Car Show from noon to 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to show off their wheels should show up on the north end of River St. at 10:30 a.m. for registration. There will be cash awards and prize drawings for registered drivers.
Get your body fueled up for the day with a hearty breakfast at the Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast at the Cook Fire Department Hall from 8-11 a.m.
There will be magic in the air downtown and a magic show in the park at noon, following the pet show at 11 a.m. (registration at 10:30). In the afternoon get your BINGO on with the North Woods Travelers at the community center at 1 p.m., and get your groove on with the Beefeater Brothers at the Old Muni beginning at 2 p.m. Be back in the park for the Elvis extravaganza at 6 p.m., and party into the night with live music at the Old Muni and Cook VFW and another fireworks spectacular at the Doug Johnson Park at 10:15 p.m.
The calming grace of Sunday morning’s church service in the park at 11:30 a.m. may be just the thing for people to find balance against the roaring competition of the lawnmower races that begin at 12:30 p.m, on River St. The big parade kicks off at 3 p.m. led by Grand Marshal Arnie “Pete” Johnson, and will be followed by the raffle drawing in the park. Those who need a little help easing down from the weekend’s excitement might want to take in an encore performance of the Beefeater Brothers at the Old Muni from 4-7 p.m. Cook VFW Post #1757 will bring Timber Days to an official close with a flag retirement ceremony following the parade and raffle drawing.
And speaking of the raffle, you can get your $1 raffle tickets at the Timber Days booth next to the library during the festival. But save some money for the many arts, crafts, and food vendors that do their part to enhance the time-honored tradition of Timber Days in Cook.