6 Destination Rainier a supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
PRAIRIE: Event participation increases Sunday, after the rest of Prairie Days is over. Prairie Days started in the 1940s as a one-day party. The event has deep, agricultural roots. Yelm historians say during the first half of the century, Yelm farmers would get together in the late summer to hold a town party celebrating the berry harvest, which usually evolved in the evening into a street dance. In 1938, when the Lions Club was formed, members thought they’d create a carnival during the festivities to raise club funds.
At first, the carnival was near the town water tower, but moved to the park in the 1950s. Whichever version you believe, Prairie Days has always been in or near today’s Yelm City Park. Over the years, buildings were added to Yelm City Park to support the festival, including a stage, hamburger stand and picnic shelters. Events started multiplying as well. A pet parade, dog show, water fights by local firemen and a royalty contest have all been held. A children’s costume contest is a tradition brought back a few years ago to boost commu-
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nity involvement in the parade, especially by children. The Prairie Days parade began as a parade of pets and kids. Longtime residents remember that the old, original celebration had games of chance and contests of all kinds. Proceeds from Prairie Days will be used by the Lions for various community projects, which include Yelm Community Schools’ scholarship drive,
Yelm top 10 students’ benefit dinner, the Northwest Sight and Hearing Foundation and the Salvation Army. The Yelm Lions Club also gives dictionaries annually to every fourth-grader in Yelm schools and provides eye glasses and hearing aides for those in need. In addition, the Yelm Lions sponsor a Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop and Adventuring Crew.
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2010 File Photo
Young talent takes the stage at Prairie Days, filling the park with music and offering entertainment for all.
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