Three days of community contests, tournaments, events, and entertainment are scheduled in Rudyard Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26, during the 2009 Rudyard Summerfest. The community is preparing its annual celebration of summer with new and returning events.

New events this year include an individual disc-golf tournament, and tours of a reproduced singleroom schoolhouse. The schoolhouse will be open for viewing Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

The disc golf tournament will be on the last day of the festival at 2 p.m. on the south side of the pavilion. Disc golf is a game similar to real golf, with many of the same rules. The only major difference between the two is that players throw various weighted flying discs rather than hit a ball with golf clubs. A "stroke" is counted for every disc throw until the disc is thrown into the "hole," which is actually metal chains dangling over a basket about three feet off the ground.

Returning to the festival line-up this year is a former crowd favorite: the ugly-vehicle contest. The dirtiest, most dented, rusted, and cluttered cars will be on display in the bank parking lot Friday evening at 6 p.m. Township Supervisor Sharon Thompson said it's quite a sight to see how many "old rustbuckets" enter into the contest.

"We did it a few years ago and it went over pretty well, so we decid- ed to bring it back," she said.

A car display -- this time featuring antique and customized vehicles -- is also scheduled during the festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Center parking lot Saturday.

Other events at this year's festival include a softball tournament, outhouse races, individual and team horseshoe tournaments, youth, teen, and adult three-on-three basketball tournaments, garden and antique tractorpulls, home run derby, volleyball tournament, basketball free-throw tournament, games for adults and kids, youth and adult dances, children's crafts, dirt bike races, community dinners, and a Historical Society open house.

The annual festival parade will be Saturday morning at 10 a.m., with a dual theme of favorite sports team or favorite video game, and an awards ceremony Saturday at 12:30 p.m. where the business and citizen of the year will be announced.

The Rudyard Lions Club is also hosting its annual triathlon and 5K run Sunday, July 26, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Rudyard High School. The Rudyard triathlon is the first leg of the third annual Upper Peninsula Triathlon Triple Crown that also includes triathlon races in Curtis Saturday, August 8, and Grand Marais Sunday, September 6.

Ms. Thompson said she expects up to 2,000 people to attend the variety of weekend events at this year's festival.

"Every year they come from almost every state," she said about participants at the festival.

Most events are free of charge, but some have entry fees. For more information about any of the scheduled events, contact the Rudyard Township Office at 478- 5041.

Rudyard Summerfest Schedule

Friday, July 24

4 p.m. - Softball tournament - teams must register by calling 478-7879.

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Ham and scalloped potato dinner at the Rudyard Township Hall sponsored by the Presbyterian Church - $8 for adults and $4 for youths ages five to 12.

6 p.m. - Outhouse Race at the corner by the bank; rules can be picked up at Pure Country.

6 p.m. - Ugly vehicle contest in the bank parking lot.

6 p.m. - Horseshoe qualifying; register at horseshoe pits.

6 p.m. - 3-on-3 basketball tournament for elementary students; register at courts, $10 per team.

8 p.m. - Youth dance sponsored by the Rudyard Fire Department; $3 per person. Saturday, July 25 9 a.m. - Softball tournament (continued) 9 a.m. - Horseshoe qualifying (continued) 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Car show at the Community Center parking lot; contact 478-4191 to enter. 10 a.m. - Festival parade themes include favorite sports team and video game. 11:15 a.m. - Flag ceremony at the VFW monument. 11:30 a.m. - Pedal pullers. noon Horseshoe tournament. noon - Garden tractor-pull tractor area. noon Home run derby baseball field. noon Tennis tournament. noon 5 p.m. - Historical Society open house and local artist display at the Community Center. 12:30 p.m. - Award ceremony - citizen and business of the year will be announced at the tractor-pull area. 1 p.m. - Antique tractor-pull tractor area. 1 p.m. - Youth games at the east side of pavilion for individuals and teams. 2 p.m. - Basketball free-throw competition; register at basketball court area. 2 p.m. - Adult games at the east side of pavilion for individuals and teams. 2:30 p.m. - Volleyball tournament. 4:30 p.m. - 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the middle school; register at courts, $10 per team. 9 p.m. - Adult dance at the pavilion; $5 admission; music by "Hair Trigger." Sunday, July 26 9:30 a.m. - Triathlon and 5K Run at Rudyard High School; pre-register by calling 478-3205 or 478-5244. $35 for an individual and $81 for teams of two or three. noon Horseshoe doubles tournament horseshoe area. noon 3 p.m. Fifth annual Fireman's Chicken Dinner Community Center, $7. noon Youth crafts at the pavilion. noon 3 p.m. - Historical Society open house at the Community Center. 12:30 p.m. - 3-on-3 basketball tournament for high school/adult ages; register at courts; $10 per team. 1 p.m. - BMX races; register at track for $3. Helmet required. 2 p.m. - Disc golf tournament at the south side of pavilion. *All events are free of charge, unless otherwise noted.