Teapot Days brings summer fun and festivities to the area

Summer weather has made its way into the area just in time for Teapot Days. Events got underway on Wednesday, June 14 and will continue through Saturday, June 17.

Wednesday the events kicked off with a CommunityTEA Picnic at Trinity Lutheran Church. On Thursday, June 15, the Mighty Thomas Carnival opened and at 7 p.m. that evening at the Tea Community Hall, 200 W. Maple St., Ma and Pa Teapot, Ray and Joanie Kelly were crowned.

The Mighty Thomas Carnival will open again at noon on Friday, June 16 and will be open until 10 p.m. The Carnival is located on Brian Street next to the Tea City Park.

Also on Friday, register your hot rod and motorcycle for the TeaFest Hot Rod & Motorcycle Show & Shine. Registration will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Tea Athletic Complex, 315 E. 1st St. There is a $15 registration fee which includes a free t-shirt. The event is open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. Food, drinks and music will be available. Admission is free for this event.

At 6:30 p.m. on Friday you can register your kids, ages 3 to 11, for the free Kids Pedal Pull at the Tea Park Picnic Shelter, 105 E. Brian Street. Pulling starts at 7 p.m.

Food vendors will be at the Tea City Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the Beer Garden open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Music will be provided by Chris Huisenga.

Also on Friday night Boss’ Pizza will host a Street Dance from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 205 S. Main Ave. Music will be provided by Gen X Jukebox. This event is for ages 18 and up.

Squealers Smoke Shack, located at 840 Gateway Lane, will also feature live music Friday night with 11 Years New performing from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The Sky Lounge will be holding a Dart Tournament on Friday. Sign up begins at 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. or until full. Throwing will begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.

The fun continues on Saturday, June 17, opening with the Tea Historical Society Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Tea Community Hall, 200 W. Maple St. A freewill donation for the breakfast will be accepted.

The Junior Achievement 5K Bacon Run will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. (Registration is at 8 a.m.) The event will begin at the Tea Athletic Complex, 315 E. 1st Street. The cost is $40 to run in the event and $25 to walk.

What’s a celebration without a parade? The 2023 Teapot Day Parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Participants are asked to line up at Tea Area High School, 500 W. Brian Street from 8 to 9:45 a.m. The parade route will begin at the High School, move east on Brian Street, north on Cole Ave, east on St. Nicholas Street, south on Main Ave., and west on Charish Street. The parade Marshall this year will be Joyce Klinghagens.

Following the parade, the Tea Museum, located next to the Tea Community Hall, 200 W. Maple St., will be open until 7 p.m. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the museum, now is a great time for a visit.

Also following the parade, everyone is encouraged to head down to the Tea Park, 105 E. Brian Street, for food and craft vendors. The Vendor Fair will be available until 4 p.m.; food vendors until 10 p.m. The Beer Garden opens after the parade and will remain open until 10:30 p.m. No outside coolers will be allowed in the City Park.

The Mighty Thomas Carnival will open at noon on Saturday and will be open until 10 p.m.

If you work up an appetite during the day, a Pie and Ice Cream social can be found at the Tea Community Hall, 200 W Maple Street, with serving from 3 to 7 p.m. This event is sponsored by Trinity Lutheran. The Tea Lions Pork Feed will take place at the Tea Community Hall as well. They will serve from 5 to 7 p.m.

The TAPPS Bean Bag Tournament will also be held at the Park on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Benefits will go to the Tea Area Parents for Prom Safety.

There will also be free Music in the Park featuring Power Play from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Chris Huisenga & Devon Sants from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Nashville country music artist, John King from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Sky Lounge will be hosting Saturday’s street dance at 105 East 2nd Street. This event is for ages 21 and up. Sugar Daddy will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

At approximately 10 p.m. the annual fireworks will be the climax of the day at the east end of the Tea City Park.