The annual Great American Crossroads Celebration returns this weekend in Reed City. From Friday through Sunday, visitors and locals can enjoy a variety of fun activities and events.

For those planning to attend the festival, here are 10 things to know:

 

1. The children’s carnival is back!

• Kids’ activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. Swing by Westerburg park for face painting, a bounce house, prize games, playground fun, and more.

2. Compete with a friend in cornhole.

• Reed City Athletics will host the fourth annual cornhole event on Saturday, Aug. 16. The double-elimination tournament begins at 1 p.m. Registration and check-in start at noon, with an entry fee of $40 per team. Register online here: SCOREHOLIO.

3. Enjoy two parking lot parties.

• Each party will be held behind Sunny’s Sports Bar & Grill on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Each night will feature live music and beverages. The cost of admission is $5 at the door.

4. Enjoy a downtown parade.

• This year’s theme is “A Blast from the Past.” Parade lineup begins around 5:45 p.m on Friday, Aug. 15. Kids can decorate their bikes for the parade starting at 5 p.m. at GT Norman Elementary.

5. Check out competitive softball tournaments.

• Games will take place at Westerburg Park from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Teams interested in playing must register by Wednesday, Aug. 13. Cost is $300 per team.

6. Check out a downtown car show.

• The 20th annual car show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, on downtown Upton Avenue. Registration costs $20 and begins at 9 a.m. Awards will be presented around 2 p.m.

7. Exercise with a 5K run.

• Hosted by the Reed City Cross Country program, the 5K run starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. The entry fee is $35 for adults and $25 for kids in grades K-12. Free post-race snacks will be provided and t-shirts will be given out, but not guaranteed for all.

8. Eat chicken for a good cause.

• VFW Post 2964 will host a chicken barbecue lunch and dinner on Saturday, Aug. 16. Lunch will be served at Westerburg Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 129 E. Osceola Ave. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost per meal is $12, and live music will be featured at dinner.

9. Compete in a local duck race.

• The race starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Reed City Moose Lodge. The cost to compete is $5 per duck, with half of the proceeds going toward prize payouts and the other half towards the Moose.

10. The community will host a quilt show.

• A quilt celebration show will take place at Reed City United Methodist Church on Friday, Aug. 15, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Quilt drop-off starts at 10 a.m., and pickup is after 6 p.m.

For more details on the festivities, visit https://www.facebook.com/gaccreedcity/.