Newport Pioneer Days returns Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8, with two days of family-friendly activities highlighted by a community parade, 5K race, live entertainment, children's events, vendors and an outdoor movie.
The prelude begins Friday evening with Library on the Go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., along with the Mik Mart Ice Cream Truck, scheduled for the same time window. Free popcorn will be offered from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m., with an outdoor showing of Hoppers, beginning at 8:30 p.m. and running until approximately 10 p.m.
Saturday's activities begin early with 5K and Kids Race packet pickup from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. A DJ will provide music from 9 a.m. to noon, while the 5K gets underway at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Kids Fun Run at 10:30 a.m.
One of the weekend's signature events, the Newport Pioneer Days Parade, will line up at 10 a.m. before stepping off at 11:30 a.m. Participants will assemble near Lions Park before traveling west along Second Avenue to 17th Street, turning south, then east onto Fourth Avenue. The parade continues west on 4th Avenue past Pioneer Park before turning south onto Fifth or Fourth Street to exit the route.
Parade organizers ask that participants throw candy and giveaways toward the ground to help protect spectators. Drivers are also encouraged to leave the area by turning east onto Fourth or Fifth Street after the parade concludes to reduce congestion around Pioneer Park and the festival grounds.
Saturday afternoon features a full slate of activities at the park, including the following:
• Vendors: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Petting zoo: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kids crafts and bounce house: Noon to 3 p.m.
• Car show: Noon to 4 p.m.
• Live band: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Bingo: 1 to 3 p.m.
• Button raffle drawing: 2 p.m.
With activities ranging from competitive races and a community parade to children's attractions, live music and an outdoor movie, Newport Pioneer Days offers entertainment for residents of all ages while celebrating the city's community spirit and local traditions.
The Newport Pioneer Day Celebration is made possible through the support of numerous community sponsors, including Marathon's St. Paul Park Refinery, St. Paul Park Newport Lions Club, Husnik Meats, Allied Motors, Amerect, Inc., bioLawn, Cloverleaf Bar & Grill, the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Daley Electric, Dogs at Play, Shannon Auto Glass, TEN-E Packaging Services, Tinucci's, Xcel Energy, Hag's Newport Pizza, Hy-Vee, Johnson Auto Body, North Pole Restaurant and RSI Insurance Agency.

Come on out and support Newport Pioneer Day!