MARSHFIELD – Imagine more than 500 classic cars racing through 10 city blocks, live music soaring through the air, a beer garden stocked with your favorite brews and enough events and games to keep the whole family entertained.
Find this and more Friday and Saturday during Marshfield’s 19th annual Hub City Days.
The event, which attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 people each year, gives the city an opportunity to show visitors what downtown Marshfield has to offer. It’s also an opportunity to encourage them to patronize downtown businesses, said Dianne Gallatin of Main Street Marshfield.
Hub City Days offers free admission to all activities except Brew Fest.
Friday kicks off with downtown shops, restaurants and vendors. If you’re 21 or older, a receipt and ID will qualify you for a drawing for free Brew Fest tickets. When you’re done browsing the downtown shops, grab a chair and have a picnic at the Wenzel Family Plaza where the People Brother’s Band will be performing from 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday offers a full day of activities
Saturday’s activities begin with the popular car show.
“The auto show is the main attraction,” Gallatin said. “People start there and move on to the other activities.”
One year, the motor show brought together more than 750 participants. This year, the organizers hope to reach the 500 car mark.
Vehicle registration begins at 10 a.m. and prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. The car show features a live DJ, children’s games, door prizes and multiple raffles.
A beer garden will feature live entertainment from noon to 11pm on Saturday at Wenzel Family Plaza. Performers include Modern Throwback, Joe G. and Star Six Nine. Enjoy your palate with different beer tastings during the Beer Festival from noon to 3 pm in the square. Beer Fest tickets are $30 and include a souvenir pint glass and appetizers.
The Veterans Park will host the Family Zone. You’ll find games for kids, Freddy the Firetruck from the Marshfield Fire Department, bounce houses, martial arts demonstrations and dance performances. The fun and games start at 10am and continue until 3pm
You can also test your pitching skills during a cornhole tournament next to the Wenzel Family Plaza. Registration is $24 per team. You must bring your partner and bags. Cash prizes will go to the winners.
New this year: Strongman competition
If you want to be amazed, head to the 100 block of Central Avenue starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, where men and women from across the country will compete in the first Hub City Days strongman competition. Organizer Kyle Bredl has been running strongman competitions for years, but this is his first time teaming up with the Marshfield event.
Bredl was first drawn to the sport after being glued to television as a child when the show “World’s Strongest Man” aired during the holiday season.
“I saw the strongest guys in the world pulling airplanes and holding atlas balls above their heads,” Bredl said.
Since then, Bredl has made a place for himself within the strongman competition arena. This is their fourth annual Be Strong for a Cause event, which awards money raised through registrations and donations to a local organization. This year, Nutrition On Weekends will receive a donation, as well as another local organization that Bredl will reveal at the event.
Saturday’s show will feature 26 athletes battling it out for the title of Strongest Man. Don’t expect a simple weight lifting contest, events will include lifting Hummer tires and pulling a 13,000 pound dump truck.
Street and car park closures
A celebration so big that it forces the streets to be closed. The following streets and parking lots will be closed at different times on Friday and Saturday.
Friday from 3pm:
South Central Avenue, between Veterans Parkway and Fourth Street Second and Third Streets, between Chestnut Avenue and the alley east of South Central Avenue
Friday from 18.00 to Saturday 23.00:
Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 3 p.m
South Central Avenue, between Veterans Parkway and 11th Street Fifth and Sixth Streets, between allies east and west of South Central AvenueSeventh Street, between Chestnut Avenue and South Central AvenuePark Street, from South Central Avenue to entrance of the Holiday Inn
Saturday from 3 to 11.30 p.m
Second and Third Streets, between Chestnut Avenue and South Central Avenue Chestnut, between First and Third Streets
There will be plenty of street parking and parking outside the gated area. For additional parking information, click the event map here.
MORE NEWS: Fleur De Lis Foods brings a taste of the South to Marshfield with comfort classics
MORE NEWS: Developer proposes car wash, retail, ‘fast casual’ restaurant for Rose Bowl Lanes property in Marshfield
