In vintage baseball, players do not use gloves, only one ball is used for the entire game, and the bat is a round wooden stick with a maximum diameter of 2.5 inches.
Photo submitted
By Charlene Corson Selbee
The Wykoff Fall Festival is stepping up to the plate this September 25-28, bringing a weekend of crowd-pleasing events, and all-ages of fun that’s sure to be a grand slam for the whole community.
Festival organizers proudly boast that, “This year is bigger than ever!”
This year’s annual classic is shaping up to be the biggest inning yet, as Wykoff celebrates the 150th anniversary of St. Johns Lutheran School – meaning more activities, more excitement, and more reasons to join the fun than ever before.
As the baseball season winds down across southeast Minnesota, fans will get a chance to watch a vintage baseball game as it was played the old-school way, just like it was in the 1860’s. On Friday, September 26, the Rochester Roosters take on the Eagles at St. Johns Lutheran School, and this is no ordinary matchup. It’s a game filled with classic rules of sportsmanship (watch your language, or you’ll face a fine from the umpire!), and plenty of laughs. Stick around for a fireworks finale at 7:30 p.m., guaranteed to be a grand slam!
The festival gets a head start with a mysterious twist on Thursday, September 25. Step into the Wykoff Commons for the Murder Mystery Dinner, “Fall Fest Foul Play: The Big the Bad and the Deadly.” The social starts at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. This historic stone building, built by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), is located at 201 W. Bartlett Street. Tickets are advanced sale only through Eventbrite or at Minnwest Bank in Wykoff or Spring Valley.
The Wykoff Fall Festival has a lineup that is sure to please all. Attendees will enjoy the egg drop from a helicopter, a pedal tractor pull, a garden tractor pull, a car show, street dance featuring “Door 49,” bean bag tournament, a puzzle challenge, plus a lot more.
What’s a German-inspired festival without classic German cuisine? The United Methodist Church leads off with a traditional German meal at 11 a.m. on Saturday. On Friday night, St. Johns will be serving up Ruebens and Things, while the Lions Club will dish out bratswursts on Saturday.
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