06/20/2026
🇺🇸
PATRIOTIC SUMMER FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR JUNE 27
Submitted by Main Street of Perry
If you’ve been downtown lately, you’ve likely noticed that Perry’s historic Square is shining with patriotic spirit as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday.
Main Street of Perry is turning up the fun for their annual summer festival on Saturday, June 27. This year’s theme, Freedom on the Square, honors the nationwide America250 celebration and promises a full day of family-friendly activities, entertainment, food, and patriotic festivities.
The community is invited to come downtown to enjoy the fun. The schedule of events follows:
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
7:30am: Fun Run
8:00am: 5K Race
9:30am - 2pm:
Food Trucks & Vendor Booth Shopping
Touch-a-Truck (free)
Small carnival rides (free)
Face painting (free)
Bounce houses (free)
Superhero & Paw Patrol Characters (free)
Big slide (free)
10am-1pm: Live band performance on the Bandstand
12pm: Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Bandstand
The morning will begin with a Fun Run and 5K race. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Registration is open and proceeds benefit the Backpack Blessings program, which provides free school supplies to local children in need. Participants can register up until race day. The 5K is $20, Fun Run is $10, and kids (age 15 and under) are free with an adult entry. The race start and finish line will be at the corner of 7th Street and Birch Street. Red, white and blue attire is encouraged.
The DuskLight Band will take the stage from 10am to 1pm to provide live music throughout the day.
Children can visit the Touch-a-Truck area to view and climb on big vehicles and machinery, as well as take a turn at the firetruck water hose. Bounce houses, small carnival rides, a big slide, facepainting, and photos with our special guest characters will also be available for kids to enjoy for free.
An exciting new attraction will be Main Street’s first-ever Hot Dog Eating Contest, sponsored by Kumback Lunch, at 12pm on the Bandstand. Anyone is welcome to enter for $25 and will compete to eat the most hot dogs in a 10-minute time period. The winner will cash in on a year of free meals from the Kumback. It will be a fun event for a good cause, with all entry fees being donated to Backpack Blessings. Interested contestants are asked to enter by Thursday, June 25 so we can make plans to prepare enough hot dogs.
A variety of food trucks have secured their space and look forward to serving delicious meals and treats to Perry patrons, including: Igloo Island, Cousins Maine Lobster, La Mac Food Truck, Franks Food Shack, Anything Doggs, Okie Sips Dirty Soda, Fellowship Grounds Coffee, The Baked Bear, Scoops Ice Cream, Heavenly Kernels, Hilton Okie Old Time Root Beer, Sip N Brews, and the BBQ Bus.
Enjoy vendor booth shopping and games from: Splinters & Shards by Deb, Frieling Woodworks, Lavender Layne, Ember's Love, Prairie Blossom, First Bank & Trust, and more!
The day promises to be a memorable one, so bring the family downtown to enjoy the festivities. All events will take place around the bandstand, courthouse lawn, and in the street.
For event info, race registration, vendor information, and contest details, visit www.mainstreetperry.com/freedomracesummerfestival or follow Main Street of Perry on social media.
