Byron Days features many fun events

A few new events and some familiar favorites are in store for folks attending the annual Byron Days festivities this weekend.[caption id="attachment_888" align="alignright" width="411"] Join Byron residents for fun at Byron Days just like these folks did in 2011.[/caption]The three-day festival begins tonight (Thursday) with a Preparedness Program at the Byron Ward of the LDS Church. A sloppy joe dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the cultural hall, followed by the program at 6:30. Stationed in the cultural hall will be booths with information on emergency preparedness including food storage, 72-hour kits and the like, organizer Connie Sanders said.The short program with brief family histories about local ancestors will be held in the relief society room, Sanders said.Friday’s activities will begin with a kickoff Zumba party from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Byron Community Center (old school) gym. Proceeds will help pay for refinishing the gym floor, and a variety of instructors will participate, organizer Jennifer Hessenthaler said. Babysitting will be provided, she said.There will also be a community kickoff luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. in front of the community center catered by Cowboys & Cooks Catering.Friday evening brings the annual carnival in the park from 6 to 8 p.m., including kiddie games with prizes, a clown, pop toss, body bumpers, a large blow-up ball to roll around in, a potato sack race and more, organizer Jeannie Petrich said.The evening will conclude with the movie “Oz the Great and Powerful” at the community center auditorium at 8:30 p.m.Big SaturdaySaturday will dawn with the annual fun run. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with the race at 7, organizer Jenny Noall said. There will be a mile and a 5K to choose from. The race will begin at the park and follow the Sand Hills Road. The run is sponsored by the Byron Lions Club.The annual Byron Days Parade will begin at 10 a.m. with lineup starting at 8:30 at the east end of town, organizer Gilbert Cordova said.Following the parade is the annual barbecue lunch in the park, starting at noon. Cordova said a meal of a barbecue sandwich, beans, chips and a pop will be served. The meal is free, but donations will be taken.A vintage car show is also scheduled at the park during the afternoon.A volleyball tournament begins at 1 p.m., organized by Brandi Abraham. Simultaneously, the fun in the park begins featuring numerous water slides and a large bounce house, Petrich said.The alumni dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. with registration at the community center cafeteria, catered by Cowboys & Cooks Catering. The meal will begin at 6 p.m.Entertainment in the park begins at 8 p.m. featuring the Lovell High School dance team and the Absaroka Mountain Thunder cloggers from Powell. A DJ will also provide music, and Curtis Abraham will offer helicopter rides for a fee.The annual highly popular Byron Fireworks are scheduled to wrap up the festivities at 10 p.m.By David Peck