Eyota Days History

by Iris Clark Neumann

Eyota, a SE Minnesota railroad town, platted in 1864, became a hometown for many and grew to a population of over two thousand. Its influence extended beyond its borders with the consolidation of area rural schools and added students from nearby Viola. Dover and Eyota became a consolidated school district in 1959. Eyota was the location where the new school buildings were constructed. 

In 1978, the Eyota Days celebration started as a simple weekend event for everyone living in the community, and it was centered around the Eyota Fire Hall garage.  Fire trucks were moved out of the garage so the famous smoke-grilled chicken dinner could be prepared and served to the community. A parade scooted through town, and a tractor pull was the highlight of the weekend.

Eyota Days began as a collaboration between the Eyota Lions Club and Eyota Sportsman Club with the guidance of the Dover-Eyota Schools superintendent. A local resident, cartoon artist, and Lions Club member (Harry “Corky” Armstrong), created the Eyota Days button designs for many years until his passing in 2011.. His buttons were sold each year to support the events. Corky also designed a large, beautiful mural depicting Eyota's railroad heritage with cartoon-like characters, and painted it on a building on Center Avenue (Higgins Cabinetry) with the help of students. The community takes pride in Corky’s mural and it has been refurbished two times.

After a decade, the Lions Club disbanded, and new support for a city celebration was founded from City Hall, and a formal Eyota Days Committee was formed.  Year-long planning led to creation of an event that extended  into a week of activities. Past committee chairs included Don Groth, Bob Lovejoy, Wes Bussell, Elaine Haverly, Pete Stellpflug, and Kathy Gust. 

Monday of  Eyota Days started with a treasure hunt for a train medallion, with daily clues posted at City Hall. Children became more involved when a week-long arts camp, a theater performance, and track and field events were added. Each day was designated with a highlighted event or events, leading to a busy Saturday, spearheaded by a parade through town. Throughout the week, we sell Eyota Days t-shirts commemorating the current year.  

On Tuesday, there is a Farmers Market, music, vendors, and a food truck located at West-Side Park.  Burger Night and Cruisin’ Tuesday is held at the Eyota American Legion where the volunteers cook and serve multiple delicious food choices. They have live music, classic cars, and is a community gathering space for the evening.  

On Wednesdays, Eyota Days sponsor multiple events for the children at the Dover-Eyota Middle/High School which involves track and field events, a Home-Run Derby, and Pedal Pull. This can bring in well over a 100 kids each year for all three events. 

On Thursdays, a big canvas tent would be erected near the American Legion parking lot and used for a secession of events we sponsor. A family fun Bingo night that was held in the American Legion moved outdoors in 2023 to allow more people to participate due to limited space inside the Legion.  At dusk, Eyota Days hosts a “Movie Night” downtown by the City Hall where volunteers project the movie on the side of the grain elevator. This is a free unique event; however, we have asked those attending to please bring non-perishable food items which will be donated to our local food pantry. 

Fridays have become a true family and friends day in the evening where a “meal deal”, featuring pulled pork sandwiches, is served under the big tent, and several food trucks line the parking lot. Activities focused on kids and families offer game stations and hay rides around town. At the same time, Eyota's Citizen of the Year is announced and a 5K race is run, beginning and ending near the big tent.  Recently, a Color Run for kids was added. In the past, the 5K race donated all profits to local animal shelters or families that are in need.  The 5K is now organized by the Dover-Eyota Eagles Foundation where they are able to use the funds for various school and community organizations. When Eyota Days reached its 40-year mark, amazing fireworks at West-Side Park were included in the Friday celebration into the evening. Since the first display, fireworks has become a new traditional annual event. To help pay for the event, we sell raffle tickets and any remaining costs are paid from sponsorship funds.  

Dates for the week-long event have always been based on the third weekend in July, so locals or those having moved away could plan their summer to come home and celebrate our events each year. Strong volunteer leadership for each event has given continuing support for activities held during the week. Softball tournaments, with both men's and women's teams—added during the mid-1980s, co-ed sand volleyball tournament, and a disc golf contest are all held in West-Side Park. This park, which spans three blocks between Second and Fifth Streets, did not exist when Eyota Days began.

Saturday has always been the biggest day for celebrating Eyota. Downtown, one can find an arts and crafts market near the Legion, food trucks, and bean-bag tournaments. As the day progresses the  streets are lined with folks waiting for the grand parade. Most are seated in folding lawn chairs with children anxiously running about, hoping the 11 am parade will soon begin. The Eyota Legion Color Guard starts off the parade with their flags and in-step marching, hup-two-three-four. The Dover-Eyota Marching Band gets to show off all their hard practice and demonstrate a coordinated musical and theatrical performance. Local businesses, churches, fire departments, clubs, and community groups take their spot on the parade line-up, to advertise and celebrate what they offer the community. We plan to use funds to bring in parade participants to enhance our parade event. 

A Saturday highlight has been the Eyota Volunteer Ambulance's chicken feed. It is their major annual fundraiser, which for many years was held under the tent at the Legion. They grill chicken pieces in repurposed milk bulk tanks, fitted with grates and serve their meal with fresh, locally grown, corn-on-the-cob. For several years now, after a new modern ambulance building was built in SW Eyota, the chicken dinner also moved to their new facility. One can eat their delicious chicken dinner either indoors in their spacious meeting room or outside at a picnic table. 

Many families gather for driveway or backyard parties at homes throughout town. Saturday evening features a street dance, an activity added in 1986, with the “White Sidewalls” playing the inaugural year of the event. The dance, for several years, flip-flopped the venue between Center Avenue near the (then) Green Door bar and the Legion parking lot. As Center Avenue is a primary pathway for vehicles traveling through town, it was determined the Legion is a safer place for the dance to be held.  The dance is our main support for our charitable donations.  

Sunday is the day for participants to show off their classic cars and motorcycles. In the past, the  car shows were held at Sunset Park (a grass area west of the Legion). Approximately 10 years ago, a community garden was established in the park, which reduced space for car line-ups; hence the  car show moved to the historic downtown area on South Front Street. Downtown is the prime spot due to wide streets and alleys with diagonal parking on both sides and a row in the middle.  One might spot a small mural on the brick side wall of the 24-Hour Fitness Center, representing the no longer existing train depot, which was once the center of downtown activity. The backdrop of the historic buildings is the perfect setting for the vintage cars, which has thrived in the downtown location. 

A Sunday church service, formerly held on Wednesdays is held down by the Legion under the big tent; local church ministers take turns leading the service.  An all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast is also served at the Legion, which is the main fundraiser of the year for the Eyota Wonder Workers 4H Club.  Recently, a Backyard BBQ Competition and Motorcycle Show were added to the Sunday event schedule, bringing additional activities and people to downtown Eyota on Sundays.

Over the years, the center of Eyota Days has moved as more and more activities were added. The tractor pull ended, but one can still spot a few classic model tractors on display by the Legion. An arts and craft sale was once held near the Fire Hall. Now, a much larger event is held on Saturday along streets near the Legion. 

The Eyota Days Committee has supported many community clubs, events, and benefactors. An arts camp for children was established in the early 1990s and held at the Dover-Eyota Elementary school during the week of Eyota Days. A theater experience for children ages 6 and older is held annually by the Prairie Fire Theatre, with performances held at the Dover-Eyota High School Auditorium. Although sponsored by Eyota Days, it is held a few weeks after Eyota Days. Over the course of  25 years, 1800 kids have been involved. “Welcome to Eyota” banners were purchased by the group and a D-E all school reunion has been supported. The downtown vintage caboose and adjoining veteran memorial park are other projects we have provided assistance to. When the Dover-Eyota Music Association (DEMA) started in 2003, Eyota Days helped in purchasing equipment and uniforms for the band members. 

Other benefactors of the Eyota Days organization distributes funds to D-E High School where students receiving scholarships must apply through Dollars for Scholars. The high school then forwards the scholarship funds directly to the student’s chosen college. Individual high schools are responsible for compiling this information and following student’s progress. Scholarship funds are never distributed directly to the students.  Eyota Days has financially supported enhancements to Westside Park, Freedom Park, Sunrise Park and Bush Court park playground equipment.  Other items within West-Side Park include the concession stand, and Skate Park. Boy Scouts and numerous civic groups in Eyota and the surrounding area have also received funds from the Eyota Days Committee. The committee is currently in discussions with the Eyota Park Board with any future projects that we are able to give back to our community. The latest project is providing adequate lighting for the hockey, basketball, and pickleball courts. It is through these partnerships within the community that Eyota Days has helped enhance and support activities and equipment for the entire family throughout the year.   

Eyota Days has created more pride in the community and utilized city assets. Each year, it brings a week of fun and fellowship, for all ages in the community. This is only possible with our all volunteer committee working hard throughout the year, creating partnerships in the community.