Waterville is known for its lakes and fishing. It’s almost like the city is named “Waterville” for that reason. So, it’s only natural for them to have a fish-themed celebration in town during the summer.
For 59 years now, Bullhead Days has brought hundreds, sometimes thousands of locals (and some visitors from out of the area) to Waterville to enjoy fair food, fishing, the massive parade, and other entertainment. And for the first time in a few years, Bullhead Days also featured carnival games and rides from the Midwest Rides.
Wherever you were in downtown Waterville, there was some form of entertainment going on. Kicking off the festivities on Friday, June 7, was the Classic Car Roll-In on Main Street starting at 3 p.m. Whether it was the classic Corvette, a Mustang, a Studebaker Truck, or even an Oldsmobile car from the 90s, there was a little bit of something for all enthusiasts of the classics.
Generation Gap kicked off the musical fun in the 3rd Street tent from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Shortly after that, the Power House Band got attendants moving and grooving less than a block away on the community patio stage.
The celebration also saw the new Miss Waterville receive her crown along with Jr. Miss Waterville and the attendants at WEM High School Friday evening. We’ll have a separate story for that on page 7.
Saturday featured most of the weekend events, starting with fishing tournaments for the kids and the adults. Bait was provided by the Waterville Sportsman’s Club for the kids, while the Waterville Fire Department sponsored the bass fishing tournament. For those who find that fishing wasn’t their style, they were likely at the outdoor vendor fair on Main Street from 10-4 p.m.
Other events throughout the day included a truck and tractor pull near the city and county shop on the southwest side of town, a NAPA RC Car demolition derby at the community patio stage, a bean bag tournament, a cribbage tournament, and even more entertainment given by Hispanic and Irish Dancers, Crista Bohlmann, Father’s Daughters, Gary Tyson, Just For Kix, and others.
Sunday concluded the weekend of festivities with a street parade sponsored by the Waterville Lions, the Lions’ bingo, and a unicycling unicorn.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Bullhead Days without ordering some fried bullheads or taking a selfie with Barney the Bullhead.
As Waterville closes another year of bullheads and pageantry, the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to starting its sixth decade of the town-wide celebration. It’s a great way of kicking off summer and is the beginning of many fairs, festivals, and local celebrations.
