A coed softball tournament at the Peru City Recreation Field on Thursday, June 10, kicks off four days of Old Man River Days festivities at Peru. There will be events for all ages during the weekend. Most events are Saturday, June 12.
The tournament continues Friday, June 11 and wraps up Sunday, June 13.
On June 11, Peru firefighters will serve bratwursts and hamburgers at 5 p.m. at Peru City Hall. The second annual eating contest is at 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs will be the subject of this year’s contest. The 2009 eating contest had eggs, inspired by the movie “Cool Hand Luke.” Each participant will have a tip jar placed in front of them for spectators to contribute. The Gladys Kravitz Band will play from 8 p.m. June 11 until 12:30 a.m. June 12.
Saturday, June 12 Schedule
A full day of June 12 activities start with children’s activities at 10 a.m. That includes an inflatable obstacle course at Decker’s Food Center. The fourth annual pet parade will line up at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 7299 Home. Awards will be presented at 11 a.m. south of the Bank of Peru drive through. Also at 11 a.m., members of St. Clara’s Catholic Church will serve food at City Hall and registration takes place for the fifth annual Joel Smith Memorial Foundation poker run fundraiser at Cotty’s Place. At 11:30 a.m., members of VFW Auxiliary No. 7299 will sponsor a cake walk in front of Peru City Hall. Children’s games are at noon. At 12:30 p.m. is registration for the Little Tuggers Tractor Pull. Lineup will be at the U.S. Postal Service office for the 1 p.m. pull. Peru Kiwanians will sponsor Bingo at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. is a Bash-A-Van and dunking booth. Proceeds will benefit Escape the Fire, a band from the Peru area. You will have the opportunity to dunk each of the band members. Peru firefighters will sponsor water games at 2:30 p.m. in front of Decker’s Food Center. At 4 p.m. is the second annual Iowa Draft Horse Pull at the City Recreation ballfield. There is no admission fee. PALS Laser Tag is at 6:30 p.m. at Neal Park. Johnny On The Spot will play music from 8 a.m. June 12-12:30 a.m. June 13.
A fishing contest at the Peru boat dock is at 7 a.m. June 13.
Peru residents celebrate Old Man River Days to help them remember and celebrate their victory over the Missouri River. Many years ago, the spring thaw and rains caused the Missouri River to go “out of its banks,” and endanger local farms and residences. In  bad times, local residents evacuated their homes because of excessive flooding. The townspeople worked together to help prevent flood damage by sandbagging and other rescue efforts.