Watercade Celebration Underway

The 68th annual Litchfield Watercade celebration began yesterday with the Medallion Hunt and it will continue this weekend with the bulk of the events from Thursday evening through Sunday. Thursday’s big events include the Center Bank Brat Feed from 4-to-6 p.m. and music in Central Park with Bob & the Beachcombers at 6 p.m.

Abby Shoutz, who was a Litchfield Princess back in 2021 is part of the Royalty Committee and is helping with this year’s senior Miss Litchfield candidates and is coordinating the Queen’s Ball which will follow the Grand Day Parade on Saturday evening. She says one of Friday’s big events will be the Beach Party which starts at 6 p.m. at Lake Ripley Beach and will be followed by the fireworks show at dusk.

Shoutz says Art in the Park will be on Saturday from 9-to-4 in Central Park and there will be lots of vendors and food trucks. She says the Kiddie Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and that will be followed by the crowning of the junior royalty in Central Park at 11 a.m. and the talent contest at noon.

Shoutz says the Grand Day parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday – with Grand Marshal Duane Hickler – and it will go along the usual route – North Sibley Avenue from 10th Street to 3rd Street, then east of 3rd to Armstrong Avenue and back to 10th Street. She says the Little Crow Waterski Show will be back on Lake Ripley this year on Sunday at noon, and the Coronation will conclude the weekend Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Bernie Aaker Auditorium.

Shoutz says people may purchase a Watercade button from any of the queen candidates and it will qualify you for a cash prize drawing. She says the candidates have a contest each year to see who can sell the most buttons.

Shoutz says there are numerous Watercade events throughout the weekend and you can register online for things like the fishing contest, 4-mile run and the golf tournament at watercade.com.