The annual event was organized by an all-new committee of volunteers.

“We’ve really put a ton of time and effort into this to bring River Days back to life,” said Sadie Andersen, one of the members of that committee.

“Our goal is to make this an event that makes it possible to give back to our community in a big way,” she added.

The small city in southern Webster County straddles the Des Moines River, making Lehigh River Days the perfect name for its annual summer celebration.

-Messenger file photo
Deegan Bair, then 13, of Lehigh, at left, managed to stay on the log a split second longer than Jack Walker, then 13, also of Lehigh, on June 19, 2022, during the log rolling contest at the annual Lehigh River Days celebration.

“We’re kind of known for our body of water that splits us right down the middle,” Andersen said.

The activities will begin Friday evening with a car cruise and a glow-in-the-dark volleyball tournament.

The action will continue on Saturday with a parade that will start at 10:30 a.m. Andersen said the committee worked to develop a parade that will be bigger and better than some past versions which only lasted for 10 minutes.

Saturday activities will include a log rolling competition at 1 p.m. This event features people balancing on a log which is in a pool of water about four feet deep. Contestants have to keep that log spinning without falling in the water. Andersen said it is the only log rolling contest in the state.

Other Saturday events will have bicyclists pedaling up steep School Hill Street and paddlers going down the Des Moines River between Dolliver Memorial State Park and Lehigh.

A concert called Rock on the River will conclude Saturday’s events.

Jesse Wilson & Friends will be the opening act, followed on stage by Section 7. White Rock, a group of area musicians that was popular in late 1980s and early 1990s, will be the headliner, taking the stage at 10 p.m.

Some highlights of Lehigh River Days

Friday

5:30 p.m. — Little Miss and Mister River Days pageant

6 p.m. — Car cruise

8 p.m. — Glow volleyball

Saturday

10:30 a.m. — Parade

Noon — Mud volleyball

1 p.m. — Log rolling

1 p.m. — Canoe and kayak race from Dolliver Memorial State Park to Lehigh

1 p.m. — School Hill Street bike climb