Perfect weather and strong community participation helped make Britton’s 2026 Harvest Days celebration a success, as residents and visitors gathered throughout the weekend for family activities, competitions, music and longtime traditions.
The annual celebration, held Aug. 7 through 9 under the theme “Family Vacation,” featured a full schedule of activities beginning Friday with the Harvest Days parade and continuing through Sunday’s community worship service and Dog Day at the Pool.
The weekend included several returning favorites as well as new attractions. Friday night featured the community meal, cornhole tournament, dunk tank, live music from Totally Rad, Glow Night at the Britton Pool, the Hang On To Win competition, fireworks and a puzzle competition. Saturday brought the Harvest Days Road Race, Lions Pancake Feed, sand volleyball, Kids Zone activities, food vendors, swimming, the rib cookoff, car show, petting zoo, Hurley Ag Olympics and other activities before the Johnny Holm Band closed out the evening with live music on Main Street.
The Harvest Days Road Race drew runners for both the 5K and 10K events. Katelyn Wirth won the women’s 5K with a time of 20:29, while Michael Wirth won the men’s race in 20:27. In the 10K, Kelly Johnson took the women’s title in 37:28 and Daniel Person won the men’s race in 37:18.
The Harvest Days Cornhole Tournament, sponsored by B-Town Baggers, featured 22 teams in the social division and 10 teams in the competitive division. Aaron Micko and Todd Shirley won the competitive division, followed by Ty Fagerland and Dickey Johnson in second and Lofton Heer and Bo Micko in third. Sheri LaFromboise and Landon LaFromboise won the social division, with Matt and Elsie taking second and TeeJay Hagen and Joey Pierson finishing third. Two additional blind draw Sit and Go tournaments were held, with Michael Myers and Steve Young winning the first and Todd Shirley and Ty Fagerland winning the second.
The sand volleyball tournament was won by Sets On The Beach, featuring Lacey Erickson, Hannah Hardina, Ty Fagerland, K.C. Jones and Mike Van Lith. Hits and Giggles finished second.
The rib cookoff, sponsored by 4-H Shooting Sports, featured several categories. Thomas Shileny of Beautiful Bohemian BBQ took first place in the judges’ choice competition, followed by Clay Erickson in second and Bob Schuster of Schuster ’Q in third. Sweet Caroline’s BBQ Boys won the People’s Choice award, while Kish Ash Smokin’ was the Wild Rib winner.
Other weekend competitions included the Burn Out competition, won by John Rasmussen, and the annual Medallion Hunt. This year’s hidden prize was found by the Marzolf children and their mom, Devin.
The puzzle competition was won by Team Geraets Gals, made up of Amanda Geraets, Cassandra Geraets, Stephenie Geraets and Vicky Geraets.
The Harvest Days 3v3v3 basketball tournament also crowned champions in two divisions. Braves Force, made up of Milo Suther, Jaxon Melroe and Tucker Olson, won the third and fourth grade division, while the Watertown Arrows took first in the fifth and sixth grade division.
The Hurley Ag Olympics provided another round of competition, with Ryan Carlson and Jaxon Zuehlke taking first place. Gunnar Buss and Owen Stavick finished second, while Jeff Christenson and Jon Ehlers placed third.
Harvest Days concluded Sunday with community worship at Pool Park, a meal hosted by the Friends of the Britton Public Library and Dog Day at the Pool.
“It was a great weekend with perfect weather,” said Chamber President Bridget Shileny. “Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and everyone who came out to enjoy the weekend. We hope to see you next year.”
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