Set for June 28-30, the celebration will feature a myriad of events spread across three days, including truck pulls, fireworks, kids activities,  the Middleton Classic golf tournament, and the Crash My Crater concert. 

“There’s gonna be something for everybody this year,” said Macie Schoon, a member of the Crater Days Committee. 

One notable change will be the location of the kids’ activities.

“In the past, we have had all of the kids’ activities out at our fairgrounds, but we’re going to try to do something new this year,” said Schoon. “We’re going to put all of the activities at City Hall Square.”

-Messenger file photo
Ryzin Lenz, t hen 7, of Manson, who wore swimming goggles just for the occasion, almost gets lost in a stream of foam during the 2023 Manson Greater Crater Days celebration.

Friday will feature the truck pull at the fairgrounds and an outdoor showing of the movie “The Goonies” at the Manson Area Community Center Youth Complex softball field.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday as usual, however, Schoon said the route will be reversed, starting at the fairgrounds and ending at the fire station. 

Activities for kids will include face painting, tattoos, a foam party, inflatables and more.

“Some of those inflatables are adult size, so adults can participate,” Schoon said. 

In addition, an obstacle course, pirate ship and castle are also planned. 

-Messenger file photo
Ethan Bloom, of Fort Dodge, got to drive what was probably the smallest parade entry in the 2023 Manson Greater Crater Days parade for Shore Side Pub & Grub.

“We are going to have some barrel train rides,” Schoon said. “There also is the conservation station from Iowa Learning Farms and Water Rocks.”

Several food vendors will also be available during the day on Saturday.

On Sunday, there will be a community church service at 11 a.m., where people can gather on the square and bring their lawn chairs. In the afternoon, there will be a car show — all of which Schoon said will be around City Hall Square instead of on Main Street as in years past.

“Also surrounding that will be the Middleton Classic golf tournament on Saturday and Sunday,” Schoon said.

Organizing Manson Greater Crater Days requires a lot of help from many volunteers.

“It’s a lot of work, but we’ve got a lot of good people helping with it this year,” Schoon said. “We’re trying to get it to that standpoint of getting more people involved in the community. Our vendors are actually mostly Manson people. For Crater Days, we try to stick to local businesses or local groups trying to fundraise. We want them to be showcased and to be able to raise a little money for their ventures.” 

Schoon said a campground will be set up for anyone who wants to come for the entire weekend. The campground will be located on the grass lot southwest of the Manson Area Community Center, 1227 16th St., and will be available from Thursday through Sunday for a fee. For more information, call Manson City Hall at 712-469-3759 or email MANSON.IA.CD@gmail.com

“We hope everyone comes,” Schoon said. “We just want everyone who’s interested or excited about Manson to come and hang out for the weekend.”

The annual Crash My Crater concert will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. This year’s concert will be headlined by Warren Zeiders, with Royale Lynn and Scott Kirkhart as supporting acts. 

The Grammy Museum described Zeiders’ music as “distinctive, high-energy country music … that is powered by a steady supply of youthful grit, honesty, and muscle.” Zeiders won the CMT music award for breakthrough male video in 2024. 

Lynn is an up-and-coming country artist whose sound is described on her website as “pulling from influences like Morgan Wallen, Avril Lavigne, Nickelback, and various punk artists” in a style that combines country and punk — called ‘Punktry.'”  

Jesse Grossnickle, one of the event’s organizers, said, “Scott Kirkhart, a local Mansonite, will be kicking off Crash My Crater 2024. Kirkhart is a full-time artist who plays all over the Midwest. Kirkhart has written many original songs and will be sure to get the party started for Crash My Crater 2024.”

Grossnickle said planning for Crash My Crater began months ago.

“Although Crash My Crater isn’t a huge stadium-style concert, the planning and organizing take six to eight months leading up to the annual Manson’s Crash My Crater event,” he said.

He added that the event wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors and volunteers.

“We have 40-plus amazing employees and volunteers who show up to help us put on the event,” Grossnickle said. “By midnight, the show is over, and cleaning begins and ends around 3 to 4 a.m.”

Tickets are available online at crashmycrater2024.eventbrite.com, the Hy-Vee Grocery Store in Fort Dodge, or the Shore Side Pub & Grub in Manson.

For more information about the weekend’s events, see the Manson Updates and Events Facebook page or Manson’s Crash My Crater Facebook page. 

2024 Greater Crater Days Schedule

Friday

4 to 6 p.m.: Appreciation Meal at Heartland Bank

5 p.m.: Middleton Skills Competition

6 p.m.: Truck pulls at the Fairgrounds

8 p.m.: Outdoor movie, “The Goonies,” at MACC Youth Complex softball field

Saturday

9 a.m.: Middleton Classic Golf Tournament

10 a.m.: Parade

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Bingo at the VFW

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Face painting and tattoos by Heather Leith

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Foam party

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Add a Little Bounce inflatables

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Connect 4, Bags, and Bucket Toss

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Barrel train rides

Noon to 3 p.m.: Conservation Station

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Food vendors at City Square Hall

5 p.m.: Crash My Crater concert

10 p.m.: Fireworks

*Kids activities are free and will be held at City Hall Square.

Sunday

9 a.m.: Middleton Classic Golf Tournament

9 a.m. to noon: St. Paul Sunday brunch at VFW

11 a.m.: Community church service at City Hall gazebo

1 p.m to 3 p.m.: Dog parade and hot dog meal at Good Samaritan 

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Car show and food vendors at City Hall Square