Teapot Days continues through Saturday with carnival, parade, music and fireworks

The annual Teapot Days celebration is underway in Tea and continues through Saturday, June 20, with three days of carnival rides, live music, food vendors, sporting events, a community parade and fireworks.

Festivities resume Thursday, June 18, as the Mighty Thomas Carnival opens from 5-10 p.m. on Brian Street near Tea City Park. Baseball fans can also catch the Tea Steam taking on the Renner Rangers, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Tea Athletic Complex.

Friday’s schedule features a full slate of activities beginning with the Mighty Thomas Carnival from noon to 10 p.m. Youngsters can participate in the free Dakota Kids Pedal Pull, with registration beginning at 6:30 p.m. and competition starting at 7 p.m. at the Tea Park Picnic Shelter. The event is open to children ages 4-11.

An Outdoor Dart Tournament has also been added to the schedule. Registration will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m., with competition beginning at approximately 7 p.m.

Car enthusiasts will have an opportunity to showcase their vehicles during the TeaFest Show & Shine at the Tea Athletic Complex, 315 E. First St. Registration will be held from 5-7 p.m., with the event open to the public from 6-9 p.m.

The Park Beer Garden will be open from 6-9 p.m. and feature music by Chris Graves. Food vendors will be available from 5-9 p.m. Organizers remind attendees that no outside coolers are permitted.

Live entertainment will continue Friday evening with Dueling Duos performing from 8-11 p.m. at Squealer’s Smoke Shack, 840 Gateway Lane. Driven will also perform a free all-ages show from 8 p.m. to midnight at Titans Tavern, 215 S. Main Ave.

Saturday’s activities begin with the Tea Historical Society Pancake Breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m. at the Tea Community Hall, 200 W. Maple St. The Tea Historical Society Museum will also be open from 7-10 a.m.

The Junior Achievement 5K Bacon Run/Walk will take place at the Tea Athletic Park, with registration at 8 a.m. and the race beginning at 8:30 a.m.

One of the festival’s most anticipated events, the Teapot Days Parade, will begin at 10 a.m. Participants may line up at Tea Area High School between 8 and 9:45 a.m. No pre-registration is required.

The Mighty Thomas Carnival returns from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Vendors in the Park and food vendors will be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Tea City Park.

The Bellator Titans Motorcycle Club will host its “Rally & Ride for a CURE” Poker Run beginning from 10 a.m. to noon at J&L Harley-Davidson, 2601 W. 60th St. N. in Sioux Falls. The event will conclude with a live auction and drawing at 4:30 p.m. at Titans Tavern in Tea.

The TAPPS Bean Bag Tournament will hold check-in at 12:30 p.m. at the park basketball court, with competition beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The Tea Aquatics Complex will offer free swimming from noon to 5 p.m., and the Beer Garden will open following the parade and remain open until 10:30 p.m.

Live music throughout the day will include Power Play on the main stage from 1-4 p.m., Chris Graves in the Beer Garden from 5-7:30 p.m. and country artist John King on the main stage from 8:30-10:15 p.m.

The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display at approximately 10:15 p.m. on the east end of Tea City Park. The Sky Lounge Street Dance featuring Sugar Daddy will follow from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for those age 21 and older.

For a complete list of events see page 10 of this week’s paper.