Saco Fun Days to celebrate '100th year of American Legion' at 56th annual

The last big event for Phillips County gets underway in a little over a week when Saco Fun Days takes off starting with the Potluck Dinner at the Saco City Shop on Friday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m. and from there expect three days of fun with more events planned than you can shake a stick at.

Some of the events that Saco Chamber of Commerce President Lacey Beil is looking forward to includes the Friday cornhole tournament and live music by OK and Runaway and then on Saturday, during the parade, a visit by this year's Grand Marshal who is no stranger to Saco Fun Days or the Parade.

"Robert Plouffe is a member of the American Legion, which we are honoring this year at Fun Days as they celebrate their 100th anniversary, and Robert has marched in the Fun Days Parade with the Color Guard for I don't know how many years, but it been a lot," she said.

The PCN tried to contact Plouffe for this story, but as luck would have it, when we was reached out to him at his Saco Pay N Save location, his wife, Betty, relayed a message she's probably relayed a thousand of times before.

"He just left to go do some butchering," she said.

The PCN asked Betty to warn Robert that we will be trying again next week...stay tuned.

As for the rest of the 56th Annual Saco Fun Days, Beil said the Button Draw always draws a large crowd, the kid's games will start at noon on Saturday following the parade and the free Chamber BBQ, the Hot Wheels Race all leading up to the Stars and Stripes Forever Talent Show at Miller Park starting at 3 p.m.

"This year at the Button Draw, the Chamber has donated a 32-inch Smart TV, we have an InstaPot, and we have a $250 gift card," she said. "Those are just the Chamber donated items, but of course we have items donated from businesses all across the Hi-Line as well."

As for the Talent Show, Beil said there are currently seven contestants already signed up for the event with six on the backburner, those who will likely perform on the day. The talent show will be emceed by Darrell Gairrett and several special guests will also perform on the night.

Last year's Saco Fun Days featured a softball tournament on Sunday and though it took a while to get the teams organized, once the rosters were full, four teams competed throughout the day and Beil said the more the merrier this year.

"I have had a lot of people contact me this year and say that they are definitely playing," she said. "We will draw for teams before the tournament so it is not like people have to bring a team. Just come down and play."

See all the events on page 8A of this week's PCN and on page 1A in next week's paper.