The greased pig competition.

Suzanne Bast, who helped organize this year’s Badgerfest and is in her first year of helping with the annual festival, said the event will feature people trying to catch a pig.

“I’d really like to see the greased pig, actually,” she said. “It sounds like a lot of fun.”

Badgerfest will be on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. with the crowning of Little Mr. and Miss Badgerfest, which is followed by a parade at 10:30 a.m.

-Messenger file photo by Hans Madsen
Jane and Ronald Picray, of Monticello, enjoy the passing scenery as they sit on his 1948 Farmall Model H at the 2017 Badgerfest. Picray modified the tractor with a seat from a Chrysler van and a few pieces of “scrap out of the iron pile.”

Bast said there are plenty of events for children at Badgerfest this year.

“There are horse and pony rides,” she said. “”There’s a bouncy house and some face painting.”

Other events include food and craft vendors, an inflatable miniature golf game, karaoke and some softball tournaments.

The Badger Fire Department will also be hosting a water fight competition.

“There’s also rock wall climbing going on in the afternoon as well,” Bast said.

-Messenger file photo by Hans Madsen
Madden Bailey, of Badger, at left, uses the old “spray them in the face” trick during his water fight battle with Kadence Johnson, also of Badger, during the Children’s Water Fights at the 2017 BadgerFest. The event was hosted by the Badger Fire Department.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, there will be plenty of musical entertainment for guests to enjoy.

From 5 to 8 p.m., country musician Danny Whitson will take the stage with his band. Whitson is from Central City, and, according to his band’s Facebook page, his single “Move On” has been played on radio stations across the United States, Canada and Euorpe.

He has also opened for artists that include Diamond Rio, Sawyer Brown, Joe Diffie, LOCASH and Alan Jackson.

After Whitson’s concert, the music will continue with DJ Mojo Productions until Badgerfest ends at midnight.

While Badgerfest only lasts one day, there will be an outdoor service for Badger Lutheran Church on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Bast described the overall Badgerfest as a “family festival” that encourages families with children to come out and enjoy.

“It’s open to anyone who wants to come by,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be just locals.”

She added that Badgerfest couldn’t happen without the help of area businesses.

“It’s brought together by all of the kind and local businesses in and outside of Badger who sponsor and donate towards Badgerfest,” she said. “They make this happen for us every year.”

Money raised from Badgerfest is split, according to Bast. Some of it goes toward next year’s event and some of it goes to local charities in Badger.