The Chief Wapello Days celebration is set for a weekend of fun and festivities. 

Kicking off the events Thursday are musical performances by acapella group Wapetonics, the Wapello Jazz Band and the band Pearl featuring Chris Wyrick and Tanya McDowell from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Following the live music will be the Lighted Parade at 9 with the parade lineup meeting at 8:30. Friday’s events include a rodeo at the Wapello Fairgrounds at 7:30 and a teen dance starting at 9. The full day of fun on Saturday kicks off with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by a 5k color run, antique car and tractor show, a board game themed parade, school supply drive, big wheel races, kid’s activities, rubber ducky drop race, rodeo, fireworks and an adults- only karaoke night. 

Dave and Shelley Singleton were chosen as this year’s Grand Marshals to honor their memory and impact on the community. Chief Wapello Days organizer Katie Hammond explains the impact that the Singletons had and why they were chosen, “Shelley is kind of an icon of our community. She worked at Casey’s for a long time and I think that everyone went to Casey’s every single morning to get a cup of coffee or a donut or something, just to be able to walk in the door and see her smiling face and say hello to Shelley in the morning. She passed away just recently and her husband passed not too long before this and so they’re still really close to everyone’s hearts and we just really wanted to be able to honor them.”

The Singleton’s children and grandchildren will be riding in the parade in their place. The KCII Big Red Radio will be broadcasting live from 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday as part of the Summer Town Tour.