ROWAN – The fourth annual Rowan Fun Day is Saturday and will open early with a 5K Walk/Run race at 8 a.m. and a Lions pancake breakfast at 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

This year the event will be at the old schoolhouse on Broadway, also home to the Iowa River Players, and the United Church of Rowan between Broadway and Pesch. Both the church and the school will offer parking, in addition to parking along the streets. A short section of Broadway will be closed to accommodate the races.

“The event is growing,” said Lennea Groom, chair of this year’s Fun Day. “We have more happening and we needed more space than was possible on Main Street. In addition, we will now have more cover for activities in case of inclement weather.”

The 5K race is new this year as well as belt sander races and a petting zoo courtesy of Kevin and Betty Hadley.

Another new event, imported from Alaska, is the slow bicycle race for adults and kids. The course is short because the winner is not the first person over the line, but the last. The rules are you can’t stop, you can’t reverse, the cycle must have only two wheels and you must move forward in a reasonably straight line. Participants must have their own bicycle and helmet.

Fun Day will have a sanctioned Pedal Tractor Pull for young people from 4 to 11 years old.

Rowan Fun Day will include all of the favorites: the tug of war, the car show, ugly pickup contest, the tractor show, a quilt show featuring both old and new quilts, photo booth, face painting, big bubbles, creative hat decorating, a cake walk, big wheel races, kids crafts and bracelet making, walking taco and sloppy joe lunch, root beer floats, vendors with fun stuff to buy, an auction of varied treasures and the presentation of trophies.

Back again will be live music for those who wish to listen. The event is a “jam,” meaning anyone who can play or sing can join in. The jam will be on the stage of Iowa River Players, starting at 11 a.m.

For those events requiring registration (5K race, tractor ride, and the pedal tractor pull), they will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the ticket and registration desk in the old shelter house behind the school house. The car show registration will not open until 8 a.m.

Most events will require tickets to be purchased at the ticket desk. The Lions pancake breakfast and the walking taco/sloppy joe lunch will require cash. The 5K race will have a $10 entrance fee. Those wishing to sit outside to watch the races or other events should bring their own lawn chairs.

Questions about the event should be directed to Lennea Groom at the Rowan Fun Day Face Book page or to her email: lennea.groom@gmail.com. Questions about the 5K race may be directed to Katie Meyer at 319-350-9206.