Summer is a busy time for community festivals, and Meeker County has plenty of events from May through September. Here's a quick look at some activities:

Memorial Day Parade — Litchfield's veterans organizations plan a stirring tribute each Memorial Day. Kicking off with a parade through Litchfield's downtown, the event wraps up with a memorial service at Ripley Cemetery.

Manannah Daze — The small village of Manannah puts its best foot forward the second weekend of June each year. Manannah Daze includes a parade, and a variety of competitive activities.

Valley Daze — Eden Valley celebrates annually the third full weekend in June. Valley Daze events include live music, a grande parade, food stands and tournaments.

Space Festival — Cosmos celebrates each year during the third weekend of July with an out-of-this-world event, including the crowning of Little Miss Universe and Man in the Moon. But it's not all futuristic. In past years, the event included a buckskinners' rendezvous which hearkens back to the 1800s.

Kraut & Wurst Day — It isn't the worst day. It's the Wurst Day. The residents of Watkins band together on the first Saturday in August to celebrate the area's German heritage.

Meeker County Fair — It's the "Best Four Days of Summer" for county residents during the first weekend in August. Traditional county fair activities, such as the showing of livestock mingle with carnival rides and games during the weekend. Grandstand shows in the past have included demolition derbies and truck and tractor pulls.

Twine Ball Celebration — It's one of Minnesota's unique landmarks...Darwin's big ball of twine. Dubbed the World's Largest Twine Ball Collected by One Person (Francis A. Johnson), the spherical collection of twine has a 40-foot circumference, stands 11 feet high and is 11 feet, 9 inches wide. Darwin residents get together for a parade and other activities the second Saturday of August.

August Fest — Grove City's community celebration during the third weekend of August includes the crowning of Grove City Ambassadors, a parade and many other fun and competitive activities.

Antique Car Run — The New London to New Brighton antique car run, which takes place each August, goes through the heart of Meeker County. Stops along the way have included Litchfield and Kingston.

Forest City Stockade Rendezvous — Step back in time during the third weekend of August in Forest City. The Forest City Stockade, a replica of a fort built by Forest City residents during the Dakota Conflict, is home to a variety of old-fashioned activities. The rendezvous includes blacksmithing, pottery and rope making demonstrations. And there's old-fashioned eating, with homemade ice cream and buffalo sandwiches.

Forest City Thresher Days — Also the third weekend in August, Thresher Days include displays of antique tractors and other farm equipment, along with musical entertainment and other activities.

Red Rooster Days — Labor Day Weekend is time to celebrate in Dassel, with an ambassadors coronation, parade and other activities. Wrapping up events on Labor Day is the Minnesota's Largest Chicken Barbecue.