EVENT Schedule – Zearing Days Celebration 

2026 Zearing Days Event Schedule 
Friday, July 24th
5:00-10:30pm Food Vendors in the Park
5:00-6:00pm Golf Cart / Side By Side Poker Run. Register at Veteran’s Memorial Ballfield @ 4:45pm
6:00pm Opening Ceremonies @ Park Shelter House
    Crowning of Miss, Little Miss & Mr. Zearing
    Introduction of the 2026 Parade Grand Marshal 
6:00-9:00pm Slow Pitch Softball – Zearing vs. McCallsburg vs. Colo Fire & EMS
6:30-8:30pm Kids Carnival at Shelter house – Carnival Games, Nickle Scramble, Face Painting by JoyFul Colorz, Balloon Art, Music, Treats, & Prizes! Sponsored By: Bolton & Menk
6:30-9:30pm Live Music in the Park, by Lucas Beebe. Sponsored By: Discover Ames 
7:00-9:00pm Human Slot Machine. Proceeds to benefit Zearing Days **NEW**
8:30pm Chicken Bingo Contest @ Park Ballcourt, Sponsored by Zearing Days Celebration!
DUSK Fireworks Display – Sponsored by: Zearing Fire Department & Iowa Fireworks Farm
9:30-12:00 Live Concert in Park by Sneaky Pete Band. Following fireworks. All Ages Welcome. Free Will Donation to benefit Zearing Fire & EMS

Saturday, July 25th:
7:00-9am Breakfast at Zearing Christian Church
7:30am 5K Fun Run / Road Race & Fitness Walk – Registration starting @ 6:30am (Christian Church)
8:00am Zearing Days BBQ Battle – Team Cook-Off Begins
10:00am-7:00pm Craft & Art Vendors in the Park – NW corner of park
10:00am-10:30pm Food Vendors in the Park
10:30am 27th Annual Zearing Days Parade. (Featuring Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums)
11:00am-4:00pm Roll-In the Park Car Show. Sponsored by: Next Era Energy
11:30am-1:00pm Lunch at Dakins Center. Sponsored by: St. Gabriels Catholic Church
12:00-3:00pm Iowa Learning Farms & Water Rocks Conservation Trailer **NEW**
12:00 Slow Pitch Softball, KCCI 8 v. WHO 13 News Teams – 2026 News Teams Rival Game
12:00pm Civil War Reenactment by Army of the Southwest, Sponsored by Zearing Heritage Group **NEW**
12:00-6:00pm Inflatable Kids Games/Rides in the Park. Including: 24′ Rock Wall, The Wizzer, Mechanical Bull, Slip & Slide, 45′ Obstacle Course, Combat Laser Tag, Tropical Combo, 22′ Jumbo Slide. Sponsored by: Next Generation Buildings
12:00-3:00pm Barrel Train Rides by Nevada Masons Lodge 99. Free!  
12:00-5:00pm Music in the Park with DJ Doris Day of KIX101
12:30-4:30pm Iowa Army National Guard – Fitness Challenge & Tactical Vehicle Demo **NEW**
1:00pm 7th Annual 2-Person Bags Tournament. Register at 12noon. Sponsored by CIT
1:00pm 27th Annual Sand Volleyball Tournament
1:00-2:00pm Zearing Days BINGO @ Park Shelter House 
1:00-9:00pm Slow Pitch Coed Softball Tourney.  Sponsored by JB Ag Service
1:00-3:00pm People’s Choice BBQ Tasting – Vote for your Favorite! @ BBQ Team Area 
1:00-3:00pm Dunk Tank – Sponsored by: C-N Cheerleaders 
2:00pm-4:00pm Human Slot Machine. Proceeds to benefit Zearing Days **NEW**
2:00-4:00pm Watermelon Feed – Sponsored by: Zearing Fire Department
2:00pm Kids Lip Sync Contest @ Park Stage.  Sponsored by: Minerva Valley Companies
3:30-4:30pm BBQ Contest Judging 
4:00pm Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pulls at Park Ball Courts (Registration at 3:00pm)
5:30pm BBQ Contest Awards – Park Shelter House
8:30pm Movie In the Park – Sponsored by: Zearing Days – Free! 
8:00pm-1:00am Street Dance – Rock Stock 2026 – Outdoor Concert / Street Dance, Sponsored by the Zearing Bar               
​Live Music by: Hat Trick, Hangfire, Kevin Lindgren & Justin Elliott.  Food Trucks on site, 21+ Only, $10 Cover Charge
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Sunday, July 26th:
10:00-11:00am Community Church Service at Dakins Center  
11:00-1:00pm Lunch at Dakins Center – Sponsored by: Cornerstone Church 
12:00pm Zearing Days Tractor Pulls – Sponsored by: Zearing Pullers Group
​12:00 – 4:00pm Food Trucks at Pulling Grounds
2:00pm Zearing Days Cash Raffle Drawing – Park Shelter House