After COVID forced a cancellation of the 2020 Chamois Day celebration, committee chairperson Jessica Hackmann said she is excited to once again welcome visitors to the event to be held on Saturday.

Despite the ongoing concerns about COVID, Hackmann said she believes the event can be held without much difficulty.

“We as a committee have considered what we can do to make this as safe as possible for everyone,” said Hackmann of her fellow committee members, Dawna Keilholz and Becca Mehmert. “We will have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes at various locations in town for anyone who wishes to use them.”

Themed, “Together Through it All,” this year’s Chamois Day celebration is an especially poignant reminder of how residents feel.

“We have stuck together as a community,” said Hackmann. “We’ve celebrated great achievements and supported each other through personal and community tragedies. That’s what we do at Chamois, and our celebration is a reflection of that.”

Vendors will be spaced as much as possible to maintain social distancing, and individual business owners will be responsible for maintaining their own adherence to health department recommendations.

“We are confident that everyone will do their part,” said Hackmann.

Roomerz, Chamois General Store, Old School on the Hill Bed and Breakfast, and Jerry’s Stop and Go will be open during Chamois Day.

In addition to offerings by the Chamois R-1 FBLA (donuts),  the Chamois senior class (drinks), the junior class (funnel cakes and fried pickles), and the sophomore class (cotton candy), food will be available from Assumption Catholic Church (fish fry), Jerry’s Stop & Go, the Masonic Lodge (brats, hot dogs and chili) north of the railroad tracks, Drake’s Smoke House (brisket), Rusty’s Kettle Korn (on the square), Roomerz, RJ’s Real Italian Ice, and the Chamois General Store (pork steak sandwich on Texas Toast with sides), and the DC Kids (walking tacos).

Honey ice cream will be sold at the Chamois Historic Preservation Commission at the Townley House, where music will be performed by Angela Rost Poole and her husband, Gary Poole. A mum will be offered in a raffle with the purchase of ice cream. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m.  

Also at the Townley House between noon and 3 p.m., books by George Kishmar and Susan Sundermeyer will be available for sale.

Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. with the National Anthem to be performed by the Pirate Pride Band and Pledge of Allegiance. A tribute to the 13 service members killed recently in Afghanistan will also be held, along with a recognition of local veterans.

The Chamois PTO parade with a theme of “Nursery Rhymes” will follow, with the Linn VFW Color Guard leading the procession.

Live music will be performed by Osage Angels on the main stage from noon until 2 p.m.

A washer tournament at Roomerz, a free-throw contest, and a water-balloon toss will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a tug-of-war between volunteer firefighters from Chamois and Morrison.

Boots will be available for anyone who wishes to donate to either department.

“This is a great way to help these departments raise money,” said Hackmann. “They don’t get public funding so every little bit helps.”

Making a return to Chamois Day is the hot dog eating contest, sponsored by Jerry’s Stop & Go. The event will begin after the tug-of-war is completed.

Hayrides to carry folks around town will be offered. Hackmann said that due to COVID-related shortages, local vendors who in the past have offered tractors were unable to do so this year.

“We appreciate their ongoing support,” she said.

Instead, local residents — Dale and Lana Hackmann, Mark and Debbie Mehmert, and Rodney Frey — will provide personal tractors for the day.

“It’s always great when locals step in to help and we thank them,” said Hackmann.

Among the stops to be made is at the Chamois City Park, where a kids’ corn play box will return, along with kids’ pedal tractors (under the pavilion), sidewalk chalk, and Larry Luebbert’s Little Train Rides.

“We will also do our best to disinfect everything as often as possible,” said Hackmann.

A raffle will go on from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at a booth next to the post office, with about 150 prizes to be won.

“Connie Smith deserves a lot of credit,” said Hackmann. “She does a lot of work behind the scenes to get these prizes lined up. We couldn’t do it without her.”

Awards and kids’ raffle winners will be announced at the main stage at 3 p.m., and the adult raffle drawing will begin at 3:30.

Restrooms will be available at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall, Masonic Lodge, Riverside Park, Chamois Lions Club Building, and the Methodist Church. Port-a-potties will be placed around town as well.

Hackmann said a lot of people offer support in different ways to make Chamois Day a success.

She praised Heritage Community bank for all of its help with printing brochures, and advertisement of the event.

“We are really grateful for their support,” she said. “They help make this event a success.”