Steeple Day, Sunday, July 30

Lourdes - A glance at the calendar shows the last Sunday of July is fast approaching which means it is time for the community of Lourdes to welcome friends, family and fellow parishioners to enjoy a day together at the 19th annual Lourdes Steeple Day on Sunday, July 30. There will be something for all ages. Lourdes, Iowa is located 14 miles north of New Hampton on highway 63 and is known for its lighted church steeple that can be viewed for miles around on a clear night. Thus our annual celebration is called Steeple Day.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with a Polka Mass with the Meitner band and Father Mark Murphy, officiating. There will be a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The tractor pull and softball games both get underway at 10 a.m. and continue all day. Registration for the tractor pull begins at 9 a.m. The powder puff starts at 1 p.m. If interested in the softball games contact Brad Shatek at 641-330-8648. 

At 11 a.m. the bean bag toss begins and at 11:30 you can take part in the visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Stone City (cemetery). 

At noon the kids pedal tractor pull takes over. It is state sanctioned for ages four thru 11. 

Of special interest on the 3 p.m. auction will be a St. Louis Cardinals baseball bat autographed by Michael Wacha. Michael is #52 and is the grandson of Elaine Farrington, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes.

The miscellaneous raffle drawings start at 4 p.m. followed by the cash raffle. You can contact any Our Lady of Lourdes parishioner to purchase a ticket or from Don Shatek at 641-330-6542.

Other attractions include traditional brats and burgers, delicious malts at the moo-mobile, bingo and the country store.

For additional info contact Denny Ptacek at 641-330-1572, Tom Shatek at 641-330-8626 or Denny Smith at 641-330-8843.

The proceeds go toward renovations of the church.