From parades and tractor pulls to food trucks and live music, small-town festivals are the heartbeat of summer across the Midwest. But behind every kiddie parade, food stand, and fireworks show is a group of volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen. Small towns may not have big budgets or professional event planning teams, but what they do have is something just as powerful: neighbors who show up. Planning these festivals often begins months in advance, with city staff, local organizations, and everyday residents gathering to brainstorm themes, coordinate logistics, and rally community support.
Volunteers: The Real MVPs
Whether it’s the local Lions Club organizing a pancake breakfast or high school students painting signs, volunteers are at the core of small town events. Often, a person wears multiple hats—serving as parade coordinator, ticket taker, and cleanup crew. There’s a sense of pride and ownership behind every detail, from hand-decorated parade floats to homemade desserts in the park.
Take Brooke Guetter, City Administrator in Vesta, who is helping lead the town’s 125th anniversary celebration this summer. Beyond her day job, she’s involved in the Lions and Booster Clubs, contributes to a community history book, and helps plan events ranging from fireworks to essay contests. Like so many others in small towns, she never expected to become so involved—but she’s found joy in being part of something bigger. “It’s kind of nice knowing who your neighbors are,” she says. “A little friendlier atmosphere, I think, in a small town.”
In Sacred Heart, Brittany Hebrink—a Summerfest Committee Member who has been involved for over 11 years—shared how the community’s Summerfest blends beloved traditions with new ideas each year. “We are so fortunate to have so many organizations in town supporting various Sacred Heart Summerfest events throughout the celebration. Within each of those events, tradition has become such a vital role… Each event has its purpose and caters to a certain group of patrons.” One of her favorite memories was the first year fireworks were added to the Jaycees Street Dance. “It was so fun to see the reactions on everyone’s faces as the summer sky lit up! Those are the moments that capture the spirit of who we are… oh so proud to call Sacred Heart our home.”
Among our team at Bollig, Gloria Trustheim plays a key role in organizing the Kiddie Parade in Brooten for Bonanza Valley Days. Gloria said she was inspired to help because she remembered being in the parade as a child in the 1980s—and wanted to give today’s youth the same kind of joyful experience. “It provides something creative for the youth to get excited about planning, participating, and winning books and cash.” Since first volunteering in 2014, Gloria has stayed active in nearly every aspect of Bonanza Valley Days—from the chicken dinner to the garage sales, to the bouncy houses and car shows. Some of her favorite moments include seeing new babies join their first kiddie parade, and once even a bottle-fed calf. “Residents line the street to see our small parade pass by every year. It brings people together and helps the youth feel involved and appreciated.” Her story is a shining example of Bollig’s value of Neighbors Serving Neighbors in action.
Why Small Town Festivals Matter
Many of these small town festivals have deep roots—celebrating a town’s founding, a local crop, or a holiday like the Fourth of July or Labor Day. What keeps them going year after year isn’t just the activities—it’s the tradition and the memories made. They often serve as unofficial homecomings, drawing in former residents for class reunions, family get-togethers, or a chance to reconnect with longtime friends and neighbors. In that way, these festivals don’t just celebrate place—they celebrate belonging.
Organized Chaos (in the Best Way)
While it may look effortless from the outside, small town festival planning is a lesson in creativity, coordination, and collaboration. With limited resources, communities find ways to maximize what they have—such borrowing tents from the local fire department or getting businesses to sponsor prizes. It’s not perfect, and that’s part of the charm. That said, promotion can be a challenge. Because different people often take the lead each year, the amount of information available—and how it’s shared—can vary. Many small cities share event details on their website or Facebook page. In the end, though, it’s often good old-fashioned word of mouth and tradition that drive people to these events. That local buzz is part of what gives these festivals their magic—and keeps people coming back year after year.
Celebrating What Makes Small Towns Special
At Bollig, we’re proud to support the spirit of small towns—not only through infrastructure and engineering but also by recognizing the people and traditions that make these communities shine. We admire the hard work that goes into each celebration. These events reflect the same values we bring to our work: grit, collaboration, and a deep-rooted commitment to community.
Check out a listing of some of the small town festivals and parades this summer!
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