The summer celebration events ranged from escape rooms to tug of war and bingo.
While competing in several rounds of tug of war, Little Miss Sebeka First Princess Ashlyn Winter, front, Second Princess Lainey Winter, Aiden Meech and Lena Winter pull hard to defeat the other team July 31, 2021 at the Sebeka Red Eye River Days. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Finding a princess at the Sebeka Red Eye River Days was easy as the Miss Sebeka 2020 and 2021 royalty volunteered and enjoyed the day. The royalty helped at the 5K, served ice cream, ran kiddie games and played in the tug of war rounds all before the parade.
The weekend kicked off with a quick find of the medallion by Zoe and Gavin Kiser. The clues are posted each evening in the town square if you hope to win next year.
At the Sebeka Town Square, Sebeka royalty including 2020 1st Princess Kendall Petersen, left, Miss Sebeka 2021 Kylynn Warmbold, center, 2021 1st Princess Avory Haman, right, welcome their duty of serving free ice cream July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
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The 2020 and 2021 Sebeka Royalty volunteered at the Sebeka Red River Days, such as 2020 2nd Princess Zoey Spencer delivering ice cream to waiting attendees at the Sebeka Town Square July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
One of the popular new events of escape rooms brought a full line of reservations with spots only open during the parade, according to
Escape Room Parties
owner Tom Atwood. Tom and his wife Barb created 11 mobile escape rooms with nine scenarios. The rooms in Sebeka were themed after an Amazon expedition and a toy collector but people weren’t left to their own fate as the Atwoods provided clues when necessary.
“I just love the whole family weekend thing,” said Sheree Polman. “I think it’s so important for small towns to actually have that, where you can actually go out as a family and do things and enjoy the weather and just enjoy being with people from your town. I think that’s just awesome.”
With events in town again, community members promptly arrived for the free ice cream and bingo events.
"I love the crowd we have here (at bingo)," said organizer Melissa Koch. The new gym at Sebeka Public Schools was full along with added tables on the stage.
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Bingo participants ready for the next call in a packed gym at the Sebeka school July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Anna Lee Beaver and her son Sam Beaver dance to polka music in the Sebeka Town Square July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Ived and Emmett Bruns go all in on their enjoyment of the free ice cream cones at the Sebeka Town Square on July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
A group of eight teams competed in the Mölkky tournament for a chance to move onto the United States Mölkky tournament in Nimrod. Team Schwartz placed first, Brozerkerz second and Steinkopf Sisters third.
The first tug of war had no participants sign up, though several children gladly joined the fun in various boys versus girls rounds.
While Sunday’s triathlon included a small group of 12 instead of about 30, participants enjoyed the challenges and cheers. Participants competed in four different heats of individual and team rounds. The mini version of the Olympics included a short swim, a bike ride and different running lengths.
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At the 14th Sebeka kids triathlon, 12 participated in the individual and team heats on Aug. 1, 2021. The participants included (from left) Zoe Kiser, Bella Connor, Emma Ness, Caleb Smith, Max Lake, Hudson Nelson, Griffin Nelson, Carter Ahrendt, Colton Johnson, Natalie Cardini, Avery Oyster and Maci Lake. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Avery Oyster runs for the finish line during the Sebeka kids triathlon on Aug. 1, 2021. The team, including Bella Connor and Natalie Cardini, placed first. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Griffin Nelson takes the lead in the biking portion of the Sebeka kids triathlon on Aug. 1, 2021. He placed second with a time of 9:05. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
The Red Eye River Days were hosted in July for the first time after being in June for many years.
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1/13: The group of impromptu participants grew during the tug of war rounds on July 31, 2021 at the Sebeka Park. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
2/13: Melissa Koch calls at bingo as more people enter the packed gym July 31, 2021 at the Sebeka Red Eye River Days. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
3/13: Bella Connor takes the opening swim laps of the team heat during the Sebeka kids triathlon on Aug. 1, 2021. She also competed in the individual heat and placed second with a time of 18:10. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
4/13: With reminders of safety and speed, Caleb Smith races for the start line with his bike Aug. 1, 2021 at the Sebeka kids triathlon. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
5/13: Emma Ness, front, and Bella Connor complete the running portion of the Sebeka kids triathlon on Aug. 1, 2021. Ness placed first with a time of 17:52. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
6/13: Carter Ahrendt readies to jet across the pool at the Sebeka kids triathlon on Aug. 1, 2021. He placed first with an overall time of 8:58. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
7/13: With his goggles bouncing, Hudson Nelson finishes the Sebeka kids triathlon in second place with a time of 15:37 on Aug. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
8/13: The Smith family works through clues to escape the toy collection room during the Sebeka Red Eye River Days July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
9/13: Clint Childers, center, takes his aim for several pins at the Sebeka Mölkky tournament July 31, 2021. The top three winners will compete at the United States Mölkky tournament on Sept. 5 in Nimrod. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
10/13: The Ness family searches for a way out in the Amazon expedition room July 31, 2021 during the Sebeka Red Eye River Days. There were two escape room scenarios for people to choose from. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
11/13: Mya Weaver takes a shot during the Sebeka Mölkky tournament July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
12/13: Disc golf tournament organizer Zach Gabbard sends his disc at the Sebeka City Park July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
13/13: A group of friends make their last throw at the sixth hole in the Sebeka City Park July 31, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal
Rebecca Mitchell started as a Digital Content Producer for the Post Bulletin in August 2022. She specializes in feature reporting as well as enhancing online articles. Readers can reach Rebecca at 507-285-7681 or rmitchell@postbulletin.com.
