Every small town carries its own culture, quirky traditions, and community pride. And the festivals held in these places shine a light on all the area offers – from local culinary treats, to historic main streets, to the helping hands of neighbors working together.

Thompson Days | July 8-11, 2021

Four whole days of festivities take over Thompson every other summer, thanks to a dedicated crew of volunteers and Thompson residents. Sure, there’s a parade down main street – by why stop with just one candy-chucking event? Thompson Days offers the traditional big float parade AND a golf cart parade follows the Paul Nistler/Kerri-Lynn Larimer Memorial Gold Tournament. This community is all about the Thompson Tommies sports teams, and you can see that with an entire day dedicated to t-ball, softball, and baseball games. Peanuts and crackerjacks anyone? But if sports aren’t your thing, don’t worry. A pancake breakfast, kids’ zone complete with bouncy houses, and petting zoo round out the weekend’s fun.

Northwood Old Fashioned Saturdays | July 23-25

Don’t be fooled by the name. While this event may have started with a Saturday-only event 37 years ago, it’s grown into a three-day festival filled with street dances, face painting, and parades. Why old fashioned? You can enjoy five-cent ice cream cones, $2 rootbeer floats and a pie social – hearkening back to the prices and activities of yesteryear. A quick stroll down Northwood’s charming main street will make you feel like you’re in a quaint downtown, rich with history. But some modern-day festival activities will also rev your engines, including the town’s demo derby and antique tractor pull.

Manvel Days | July 23 & 24, 2021

The people who live in Manvel champion their community throughout the year, but Manvel Days offers a true glimpse of that community pride. Festivities kick off with a Friday night golf tournament at Whispering Oaks Golf Course and big ol’ barbeque on main street. Wake up Saturday for a craft show, parade, tractor rides, and pedal tractor pull. Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes so you can show off your sweet moves to live musicians who will rock the stage until the early morning hours.

Emerado Corn Feed | August 21, 2021

Would your ears perk up if I told you that you and your family could spend an entire day eating all the corn on the cob you wanted – for FREE?! For the past seven years, community members in Emerado have come together to celebrate their rich agricultural heritage through the humble stalk of corn. Take in 40+ vendor booths, sign up for the corn hole tournament, or see just how many kernels can get stuck in your teeth during a corn cob eating contest. It’s really a-maize-ing!