LYNCHBURG – We can almost smell the steaks cooking and hear the screams of joy from local kiddos on the carnival rides. It’s time once again for Frontier Days to take over the historic Lynchburg Square and Wiseman Park this Friday and Saturday.

It’s a Lynchburg event with over 60 years of local history. In 1962, the Lynchburg American Legion Post 192 launched what would evolve into Frontier Days on July 4. That first event featured a beauty contest, swimming, a Little League baseball tournament, barbecue and more all set in the footprint near where the Lynchburg Public Pool sits today. {To read more about the history of Frontier Days, click here.}

It’s evolved over the years into a two-day celebration. Over the past two years, the Lynchburg Chamber gave the event a facelift with new events and more activities. If you plan to attend this year, here’s a list of the things not to miss. It’s sort of your own personal Frontier Days bucket list from a local’s perspective.

1 | The Pony Rides and Petting Zoo – For almost as long as there’s been Frontier Days there’s been pony rides and a petting zoo. If you have a young child or if you happen to be an adult who likes animals, it’s a must for the weekend. The ponies are friendly, well-trained, and gentle – making them suitable for kids of all ages. The petting zoo offers folks a chance to get up close and personal with animals they’d likely never encounter like camels and lemurs plus a ton of cuddly farm animals like bunnies, miniature pot-bellied pigs, goats, and more. They both start Friday night and continue through the end of the event.

2 | Power Wheels Demolition Derby – Chamber organizers have been working hard to imbue some fresh life into the event and a new kid’s event is coming on Friday night at 6 p.m. Kids of all ages are invited to bring down their stock Power Wheels vehicle and helmet. Once onsite, organizers will affix balloons and then let the kids have at it. Hilarity is sure to ensue. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

3 | Food Galore – If you plan to visit Lynchburg this Friday and Saturday, you want to save your appetite and eat while in town. In addition to our local eateries like Southern Perks, Barrel House BBQ, the Whiskey Waffle, BBQ Caboose, Price’s Parlor Pizza an Ice Cream, as well as the new Canterero Mexican Grill, there will be tons of food trucks offering everything from slaw burgers and tacos to handmade ice cream cookies and Kona Ice. Also, the Miss Mary Bobo’s Food Truck will make a rare appearance serving Fried Chicken with all the fixings. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of budding entrepreneurs with the Moore County Lemonade Company.

4 | Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – If there was one big hit from last year’s event, it had to be the Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull. We’ve never seen so many kids have such a determinedly good time … especially the girls. Organizers have pulled out all the stops so that local kiddos can participate in a smaller version of that distinctly southern event, the tractor pull. There will be several weight classes so that everyone can enjoy the fun with prizes awarded. It should also be a ton of fun to watch. It begins at 3 p.m. in Wiseman Park.

5 | Ladies Skillet Toss – Another big hit at last year’s event was the Ladies Skillet Toss. Ladies from all around should head to Wiseman Park around 1 p.m. for the event that is sponsored by Lodge Cast Iron. There will be five age groups starting at 12 years old and going up to over 70. Winners in each category will win a 12-inch engraved Lodge Cast Iron Skillet.

These five events are only a partial highlight of a jam-packed, two-day schedule that includes live music, a carnival runway, a classic car show, homemade and handmade craft vendors, a kids parade, the Lynchburg Chamber Auction, an apple pie contest, and a Moon Pie aating contest.

Tons of local community and nonprofit organizations will be offering everything from bake sale items and roasted corn to a dunking booth. There will also be a SCA-sanctioned Steak Cookoff happening during the event. The event will conclude on Saturday at 9 p.m. with a blowout community fireworks show.

For more information, check out the Lynchburg Chamber’s website by clicking here.•

{The Lynchburg Times is a nonpartisan, independent community newspaper serving Lynchburg, Tennessee and the surrounding counties. We are dedicated to public service journalism for the greater good of our community. You can support us, by clicking here.}