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   If you thought celebrations were over with the Fourth of July, get ready for another week of fun and games! It’s time for Hackensack’s annual Sweetheart Days.

    Celebration begins on Wednesday, July 10 with a flea market and craft sale at 8 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Later at 6 p.m., gather the family to have a chance to win Bingo at the Hackensack Legion.

   The Hackensack Legion will be hosting a meat raffle on Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. Right afterwards at 7 p.m., watch The Goonies with the whole family at the City Park.

   Friday, July 12 starts at Rendezvous Brewing with a Sweetheart Days Beer Release starting at 3 p.m. Head over to the UCC Church for a filling spaghetti dinner from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Then make your way to the Hackensack Legion at 7 p.m. for music Bingo. Wrap up the first day of Sweetheart Days at the Community Building at 7:30 p.m., with live music from Josh Duffee & His Big Band preforming “Drummer’s Delight.”  

   Set your alarm early on Saturday, July 13 for another adventurous day! Stop by the Faith in Action building for the Hackensack Lending Library book sale from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Meet with author Darrell Pedersen in the park from 10 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. or bring your dog to the Paws + Claws Furry 5K Fun Run at the same time. Also starting at 10 is the Sweetheart Craft  and Vendor Fair and kid’s bouncy houses until 3 p.m. 

   While you are having fun around town, there will be plenty of food trucks and a beer tent to choose from throughout the day to keep you fueled up. 

   The 7th annual Sweetheart Days Dachshund Derby commences at noon in the park. Make sure to head to the American Legion for the silent auction fundraiser between noon and 3 p.m. From 12:30 to 2:45 p.m., meet author Candace Simar in the park. Come and see some great classic cars at the Car & Motorcycle Show in the park from 1 - 4 p.m. A Lucette parody pageant at the statue will start at 3:30. Right after at 4, the Hackensack Area Fire and Rescue Department is hosting a BBQ.

   Dance your heart out at a street dance from 7 to 10 p.m. with a street dance featured the Lydia Rose. Starting at 7:30, the Northwoods Arts Council is hosting  Josh Duffee & His Big Band at the Community Building. To top off your night, a fabulous fireworks show will light up over Birch Lake as soon as the sun sets!

   The Canoe Derby registration starts at 9 a.m., with the Pros Race starting at 10 and the C1 Amateur Race at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. At noon, get refreshed with a watermelon feed with a watermelon eating competition right afterwards at 1. From 2 to 4 p.m., a cornhole tournament will be held. At 6 p.m., the Hackensack Legion will host a meat raffle and a comedy show will start at 7:30 p.m. at Rendezvous Brewing.

   Monday’s events are short and sweet, with a Hackensack Lions meat raffle at the Muni at 5 p.m.

   Tuesday, July 16 picks up the pace, starting off at 11 a.m. with the Kids Fishing Contest at the pier on Birch Lake, which will wrap up at 12:30 p.m. Go and enjoy kids games in the park sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. At 5:15 p.m., the Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation (HLACF) is celebrating new bricks around the Flag Pole with a ribbon cutting. At 5:30 p.m. the fourth annual pet parade begins with the Sweetheart Days Parade beginning at 6 p.m. 

   Wednesday’s activities start at 6 p.m. with Bingo at the Legion. At 7 p.m., bring a group of friends to Rendezvous Brewing for a trivia night.

   For the last day of Sweetheart Days on Thursday, July 13, head to the Legion for a raffle drawing at 5:30 p.m. followed by a meat raffle at 6.

   Whether you are in town for just a portion or the entirety of Sweetheart Days, there’s activities for the whole family! 

   For more information, call (218)675-6135 or visit www.hackensackchamber.com.

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