Events begin June 25, run through June 28
For four days each summer, Sutton comes together to celebrate the people, traditions and community spirit that make small-town life special.
Dugout Days returns June 25 through June 28 with this year’s theme, “From Founding Fathers to Hometown Heroes,” bringing together longtime favorites, family activities and community gatherings throughout the weekend.
One of the biggest highlights is always the Dugout Days Parade on Saturday, June 27. Beginning at 6 p.m., the parade will travel along North Saunders Avenue, featuring floats, community organizations, local businesses and participants celebrating this year’s patriotic theme. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, find a spot along the route and enjoy one of the community’s most anticipated traditions.
While the parade may be the most visible part of the celebration, many locals have another favorite circled on their calendars.
The Sutton Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Chicken BBQ returns Friday, June 26, at Sutton City Park, with serving beginning at 5 p.m. More than just a meal, the event serves as a fundraiser for the department’s volunteer firefighters, who dedicate countless hours each year to protecting the community.
In many ways, the BBQ perfectly reflects this year’s “Hometown Heroes” theme. The men and women of the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department respond to emergencies at all hours, train throughout the year, and stand ready whenever their neighbors need help. The annual fundraiser gives residents an opportunity to support those efforts while enjoying an evening of good food and fellowship.
For many families, the Chicken BBQ has become one of the most anticipated traditions of Dugout Days. Friends gather around park tables, neighbors catch up on local news, and visitors quickly discover why the event remains a community favorite year after year.
The celebration offers much more throughout the weekend. The Dugout Days Carnival will operate on multiple days, while younger residents can enjoy swimming activities, a fishing contest at Clarks Pond, turtle races, a coin scramble, bounce houses and miniature golf.
Saturday’s schedule is packed with hometown fun, including the Run for a Resident 5K and 1 Mile Run, a coffee truck, dodgeball tournament, walking tacos, a dunking booth, tractor pull and shopping opportunities with local vendors and businesses.
The festivities continue into Sunday with the 13th Annual Dugout Open Golf Tournament at Fox Hollow Country Club. Golfers can participate in either the Adult/Child Tournament beginning at 9:30 a.m. or the Adult Tournament at 1:30 p.m. The tournament has become a popular Dugout Days tradition, drawing participants from around the area for a day of friendly competition.
Even non-golfers have a reason to stop by. Jamber Q Meats & Treats will be serving food at the course until 3 p.m., giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy lunch while watching the action and supporting another local business.
Sunday’s activities also include a brunch buffet at the American Legion, a horseshoe tournament, and fireworks to close out the weekend.
Yet as full as the schedule may be, Dugout Days has always been about more than events. It is a chance for former residents to return home, neighbors to reconnect and families to create new memories together. It is a celebration of the people who built the community, the volunteers who continue to serve it and the traditions that help keep those connections strong.
As Sutton prepares for another year of Dugout Days, organizers hope residents and visitors alike will come out to enjoy the festivities, support local organizations and celebrate the hometown spirit that continues to define the community.
After all, events come and go. Traditions are what bring people back year after year.
