Especially when it means that you get together in celebration with your family and friends.That is how residents in Royal, Ill. felt in 1982 when their town decided to build the Royal Community Building to provide the town and surrounding areas a place to host reunions, weekly bingo games and ballroom dancing.
They still felt the same way in 2007 when they gathered for the community’s Sesquicentennial celebration.
“Due to the positive feedback from attendees of the event, members of the community decided that it should become an annual event,” Royal Days Committee Chairman Kalee Ackerman said.
“From there, a committee was formed, and it has been a success ever since!”
The 2019 Royal Days will begin on Aug. 2 will Smokin’ Joe’s food truck at 6 p.m. and a bags tournament to the music of DJ Jason Wheatley at the Royal Community Building Pavilion at 7 p.m.
Saturday morning kicks off in downtown Royal with the Royal “Donut” 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7 a.m. and the Kids’ Fun Run at 9 a.m.
“This is the perfect way to get some exercise for the entire family and really kicks off the day and brings out runners, joggers, walkers, and spectators,” Ackerman said. “The kids, of course, love to get a medal as well.
“Following the race, we will have Royal Donut donuts and their famous iced sugar cookies available as well.”
Registration for the Royal “Donut” 5K and Kids run are now open at https://tinyurl.com/
Adults can then move on to the softball tournament at 9 a.m. while the kids take part in the annual Kiddie Tractor Pull at 9:30.
Ackerman said the Bags and Softball Tournament are held as invitationals to former teams, but when spots become available, they are opened to the public.
“If you are interested in participating, message the Royal Days facebook page, and we will add you to the contact list,” Ackerman said.
The Kid Zone opens from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with inflatables, laser tag, a dunk tank where children can dunk the PVO school administrators and many of the Royal Youth League coaches, an obstacle course, face painting and Kona Ice. A $5 wristband will admit one child.
At 11 a.m., children can get registered in a Child ID program provided by the Masons of Illinois.
The registry provides parents with a color photo with the child’s height, a recorded interview that captures their appearance, speech patterns, etc., a DNA sample, and fingerprints to give to authorities in the event the child is lost.
Lunch will be served at the American Legion Post 996 from 10:30 to 1:30 with a drawing for a golf cart at 12:30 p.m. The Marvin Lee Band will provide entertainment until 1 p.m. when Champaign Freight takes over until 5 p.m.
Food trucks will be available in downtown Royal from 2 to 6 p.m.
The Golf Cart Parade will also line up at PVO Grade School before it heads through the streets of Royal.
“Watching the golf cart parade is something the entire community looks forward to,” Ackerman said. “You will see golf carts decorated, pulling floats full of kids, tractors and more. It’s quite the parade for such a small town!
“We just want everyone that attends to have fun! Let go of any stress they may have with a day out with friends and families and enjoy the feel of a small-town community.”
