SOLON — “No bull, just beef.” That’s the slogan for Solon Beef Days 2024. Solon’s signature event runs next weekend kicking off Friday, July 19 and running all day Saturday.
Friday’s highlights include the famous Hay Bale Toss (registration at 6:00 p.m. with competition starting at 7:00 p.m.) and the Kid’s Tractor Pull (registration at 5:00 p.m. with competition starting at 6:00 p.m.). The Hay Bale Toss has been known to attract U of I Hawkeyes football players such as two-time champion Gennings Dunker. Dunker cleared 14’6 last year setting a new Beef Days record and topping his winning 13’6 performance from 2022. Also on Friday will be Bingo (6-10:00 p.m.) and live music starting at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday events start early with the Beef Days Fun Run 5k & 1-mile starting at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 7:30 p.m. followed by the parade at 10:00 a.m. and Bingo at noon. Kids’ Corner activities continue with the Big Wheel Race at 1:00 p.m. (sign up at 12:30) and Straw Bale Toss at 2:30 p.m. (sign up at 2:00).
Also on Saturday is the Spartan Archery Tournament, a bags tournament, firefighters’ waterball fights, and live music throughout the day and night.
And, it wouldn’t be Beef Days without the Ribeye Steak Dinner consisting of an 8 oz. ribeye, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, roll and butter, and a beverage (lemonade or water). Serving hours are 5-9:00 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-9:00 p.m. Saturday with a $15 cost. Several other food options including pork burgers and steak sandwiches, BBQ chicken sandwiches (Scout Troop 120), and Ruzicka’s brats and dogs (Solon Women’s Club) will also be available.
Solon Beef Days started in 1971 as the Optimist Club, Fire Department, American Legion, and Jaycees banded together to revive the spirit of old-time small-town celebrations. More than just a two-day celebration, Beef Days is also a major fundraiser for Solon’s non-profit organizations with the Solon Beef Days Committee distributing the proceeds from the event to scholarships and local causes and projects.
For more information go to www.beefdays.com and be sure to see next week’s edition of the Solon Economist for more details. We’ll also have coverage of the weekend in upcoming editions.
-30-
Gennings Dunker readies a throw during the 23rd annual Beef Days Hay Bale Toss. Dunker, the defending champion, set a new record at 14’6” beating his winning effort the previous year by a foot.