Monona Hay Days announces entertainment lineup

MONONA — A pair of live bands highlight the schedule for the 2018 edition of Hay Days, which will be held June 9.

Smoking Gun Showdown and 88 M.P.H. will take the stage during free performances on the big stage. 

Northeast Iowa-based Smoking Gun Showdown, which will be on stage from 2 to 5 p.m., is a country/rock band featuring two powerhouse female vocalists that has been playing since 2015. They play throughout northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin and recently announced that they will be opening for Parmalee at the Crawford County (Wis.) Fair in August.

88 M.P.H. is a Prairie du Chien-based band that plays a wide variety of music including modern and classic rock. The four-member band will perform at the street dance from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Other entertainment announced by the Hay Days Committee this week includes the annual parade at 11 a.m. a new opening ceremony featuring the annual presentation of Quilts of Valor to local veterans at noon, the annual tractor and car shows and the previously-announced tractor pull that will take place on Egbert Street. The festival’s grand marshal, king and queen will be introduced during the opening ceremony, and there will also be karaoke from 5 to 8 p.m.

On Friday preceding the Hay Days festival, the Monona Fire Department will host its annual Glow Run Fundraiser with registration beginning at 8 p.m. and the race starting at dusk.

More information on the festival can be found on Facebook under Monona Hay Days.