RPM Days are back

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Racing, power and mud are returning to the Weston County Fairgrounds, thanks to the RPM Days organizers, who are bringing the event back after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
This  sixth annual event will feature the truck tug of war, mud volleyball, mud bogs, drag races and a concert, similar to previous years. According to Garrett Borton, one of the founding members, RPM Days will feature the chance to win a truck by purchasing a ticket. Also being raffled off, for the younger crowd, is a kid’s power wheel vehicle. 
“A single $10 ticket is going to win a truck,” Borton said. 
He reported that the truck is a 2004 F350 V10 Ford. Raffle tickets will go on sale this week, two weeks before the RPM Days event, June 4-7, with the winning ticket holder leaving that weekend in a new, to them, truck. 
June 4 activities will be all horsepower and mud, with the truck tug of war kicking off the three-day event at 7 p.m. Before the tugging, trucks participating in the tug of war and Saturday’s mud volleyball teams will be sold to the highest bidder during the Calcutta at 6 p.m. 
“Friday night is the fun night, which is free,” Borton said. “We want to extend the opportunity to participate to everyone who wants to be in on the fun.” 
Saturday morning’s festivities are also free, with a parade and pancake feed, hosted by First State Bank and kicking off at 9 a.m. 
Similar to previous years, the parade will begin near the four-way stop and head past Loaf-n-Jug down Main Street. Once the trucks and other motorized vehicles hit Main Street, they will park so people can check out the rides while enjoying a pancake. 
Following the parade, mud volleyball will starts in the outdoor arena at the Weston County Fairgrounds beginning at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m., the mud drag races are scheduled to begin, with registration for those starting at 11 a.m.
This year’s concert, according to Borton, will open with Nate Smith and the Caddywompus Band at 7 p.m. before the Brandon Jones Band takes the stage at 9 p.m. 
“He is from the Black Hills, and we are anxious to have him this year. It is going to be a really good show,” Borton said. 
Wrapping up the event is the mud bogs on Sunday, with registration at 10 a.m. and the trucks hitting the mud at 10:30. 
Weekend passes are $30 for spectators. Individual day passes can be purchased for Saturday at $25 and Sunday at $10. Entry fees for all events are $50 per class entered.