Parnell Duck Days July 12th and 13th, 2025

Parnell Duck Days will be July 12th and 13th this year.

Saturday the 12th will start with a kids pedal pull and games as well as a wiffle ball tournament starting at 2 pm. A pulled pork and nacho meal will be held that evening at the Lions Shelter House in the park as well as live music. At dusk, the Parnell Fire Department will have a fireworks display. Tuck Point will be offering a beer garden.

On 10 am on Sunday the 13th, the Parnell United Methodist Church will hold a church service. They will serve ribeye, hamburger, hot dogs, loin sandwiches, and sides throughout the day. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will serve homemade ice cream with all the toppings.

The parade will begin at 11:30 am and there will be live music all afternoon. Steve Mullock will organize the antique car show on the east side of the park.

Classes from Northeast Nodaway will sponsor various booths. The Legion Auxiliary will have a raffle and pop booth. A vendor fair is also planned along with a bounce house.

The event is seeking sponsors for this year’s fair. If interested, contact Debbie Cordell (660) 986-3330.

 

Parnell Duck Days is July 6th Through 8th

Parnell Duck Days will be held July 6th through 8th this year. This year, the celebration will be extended to three days.

On Friday afternoon starting at 2 pm, there will be a “Remember and Reminisce” about Parnell, an event held in the Parnell United Methodist Church. The Bateman Family will host, and pictures and memorabilia are appreciated. Snacks and appetizers are welcomed.

On Saturday night, the NEN Sophomore Class will sponsor the family-friendly movie, “Little Rascals” in the Parnell Park. Popcorn and drinks will be served. A fireworks display will follow, provided by the Parnell Volunteer Fire Department. There will be music and a beer garden in the east park, which will be served by Burny’s.

Sunday will start off with a church service provided by the Parnell United Methodist Church at 10 am. At 11:30, there will be a parade, organized by the local 4-H chapter, followed by Tribe Mic-O-Say. Cory Cronk and the Outlaw Creek Band will provide live music throughout the afternoon.
Steve Mullock will organize the Shine and Show Car/Tractor/Truck/Motorcycle Show, which will take place in the east park. Each of the NEN classes from grades 7-12 will sponsor a fundraiser/activity along with Boy Scout Troop 131 and the Cub Scouts. The School PTO will provide a free bounce house for kids. The Legion Auxiliary will have a booth, and vendors are welcome. A Kids Pedal Pull will be held in the afternoon, with prizes and awards planned. There will be bathtub races, pony rides, an obstacle course, a dunk tank, slip and slide bowling, balloon darts, and chances on the winning duck.

Businesses are invited to help sponsor the event. Premier ($200+) will allow businesses to provide a banner which will be displayed throughout the day on the stage/bandstand, as well as multiple mentions throughout the day. Gold ($100-200) will allow businesses to provide a banner which will be displayed as well along with multiple mentions.

Sponsors can also sponsor Silver ($50-100) and Bronze (Under $50), including prizes which are used in the mystery box auction and car show. Each level will be listed in ads and sized differently according to amount. Upper level donors will receive more mentions during the festival, in addition to the start of the festival. To sponsor Duck Days, please contact Debbie Cordell (660) 986-3330.

Parnell to Hold Two Days of Festivities

Parnell will be holding its annual Town Festival and will hold two days of celebrations to mark their 125th anniversary on July 7th and 8th.
Events will kick off on July 7th. At 2, the 180 ATV Race will start at the Parnell Horse Arena, sponsored by the Parnell Fire Department. Registration will start at 1. For more information, call (660) 582-0223 or (660) 254-3430.
At 3, the Shimmy & Shake Dance Studio will perform at the Bandstand. From 4-8, there will be a flea market. There will be a $10 set-up fee to the Park Board; for more information, call (660) 986-3029.
At 4, there will be a Pet Show at the Bandstand. Registration will be at 3:30. For more information, call (660) 986-2281.
At 5 will be the Baby Show. Registration will start beside the Bandstand from 4-4:30. There will be four categories, 0-6 months, 7-12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months, and 37-48 months. For more information, call (660) 986-2468 or 2688.
Little Mr. & Miss Parnell will be chosen immediately following the baby show. Contestants must be 4-6 years old and have a Parnell address. Registration and contact information are the same as the baby show. Little Mr. & Miss Parnell will ride in the parade Sunday.
At 5:30, there will be a chuckwagon supper in the park with pulled pork, baked potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, and lemonade. Cost for adults is $8, $5 for 9-12. Children 8 and under are free. Proceeds go to the Parnell United Methodist Church.
At 6:30, there will be a mystery box auction at the bandstand sponsored by the Parnell United Methodist Church. Following that, there will be bandstand entertainment and a 50/50 drawing. People can buy chances for the 50/50 throughout the day and the drawing will be held just before dusk. You must be present to win.
At dusk, there will be a fireworks show presented by the Parnell Fire Department.
At 7:00 a.m. Sunday, festivities will resume with a free will donation breakfast at Burns Chuckwagon in the park. It will last until 9:30.
At 9, there will be a free car show south of the Legion Building. Registration will be from 9-11 and awards will be handed out at 3. Classes are Car Stock, Car Modified, Truck Stock, Truck Modified, Motorcycle, Tractor, and Special Interest. For more information, call (660) 582-9374.
At 10, there will be a church service in the park led by Rev. Don Ehlers of the Parnell United Methodist Church. From 10-6, the Flea Market will resume. From 11-3, there will be a BBQ sponsored by the Parnell Methodist Church, serving grilled pork loin, hamburgers, and hot dog sandwiches and plate meals, including potato salad and baked beans. From 11 until it’s gone, the church will also be serving homemade ice cream at the Lions Shelter.
At 11:30, the parade will start, beginning at the former school building. The theme will be “Celebrating 125 years.” Registration will be from 9:30 to 11 east of the school. For more information, call 986-2468 or 2688. Ribbons will be awarded in the following categories – floats, costumes, autos, tractors, animals, 4-wheelers, bicycles, horses, and miscellaneous. Following the parade, the Mic-O-Say tribe will perform at the bandstand.
At 12, Dale Stoll and the Midnight Playboys will perform on the bandstand as well as Tony Brown performing guitar and “old time” music.
At 1, the “Pink in Parnell” Washer Tournament will be held. Registration will start at 11 and the tournament will start at 1. All proceeds will go to breast cancer research. This is sponsored by Cargill, Fred the Barber, and R&S Seeds. For more information, call (816) 244-8983.
At 1:30, the annual Northeast Nodaway PTO Duck Race will be held on the Platte River. Buy a chance on a duck at the park on Sunday or contact any PTO member. First place will be $100, second will be $75, and third place will be $50. You need not be present to win. For more information, call (660) 937-2628.
At 2, there will be a fire brigade for all ages at the firehouse. There will be a bingo for all ages during band breaks sponsored by the Parnell Park Board.
Throughout the day, there will be many different activities. The American Legion & Auxiliary will be having a bake sale, drinks, mugs, and raffles for various prizes. The Parnell Park Board will have a quilt raffle and Parnell 125 year t-shirts. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be having games. The Northeast Nodaway PTO will be having a free bounce house. The Northeast Nodaway FFA will be having their animal bingo; you can buy a chance from any Northeast Nodaway FFA member that day. The Northeast Nodaway seniors will have a game and the juniors will have hair and face painting. The freshmen will have a dunk tank and the 8th graders will have a pie-n-face. There will be another 50/50 drawing; must be present to win. Winners of the Legion Auxiliary, Duck Race, and 50/50 drawing will be announced after the last band number.

Parnell Duck Days July 10th

Parnell will be having its annual Duck Race & Festival on Sunday, July 10th at the Parnell Park.
At 10:00 a.m., there will be a church service at the Bandstand in the Park. The Rev. Don Ehlers of the Parnell United Methodist Church will be leading the service.
From 11-2 will be the United Methodist Church BBQ. There will be grilled pork loin, hamburgers, and hot dog sandwiches and plate meals including potato salad and baked beans served in the park. From 11:00 until its gone will be homemade ice cream and cookies at the Lions Shelter House. Proceeds will go to the Parnell United Methodist Church.
The parade will start at the Parnell School. Registration will start from 10-10:30 east of the school. For more information, people can call 986-2468 or 986-2102. Judging will be held at 11:00 a.m. Ribbons will be awarded in the following categories -- floats, costumes, autos, tractors, animals, 4-wheelers, bicycles, horses, and miscellaneous. Following the parade, the Mic-O-Say Dancers and the students of Miss Whitney’s Elite School of Dance will be performing.
From 12:30 to 3:30 will be the Ramblin’ Country Band from Gentry at the Bandstand. From 12:30-1 will be the Baby Show. Registration will be held beside the Bandstand. All babies from birth to 5 years may take part. For more information, people can call 986-2468. Announcement of the winners will be held on stage during the first band break.
The annual Duck Race will start on the Platte River at 1:30. People can buy a chance at the park or contact any Northeast Nodaway PTO member or 986-3330 prior to July 10th. Northeast Nodaway Board of Education members will collect ducks at the river. First place will be $100; second place will be $75; third place will be $50. You need not be present to win.
From 2:00 to 2:30 will be the Pet Show. Registration will be behind the bandstand and winners will be announced during the second band break.
The final event of the day will be a Bingo sponsored by the Parnell Park Board. It will follow the announcement of the raffle and race winners. For more information, call 986-2102.
There will be various activities held all day. The American Legion and Auxillary will be having a bake sale, drinks, and raffles for various prizes. Boy Scout Troop 131 will be having a pop ring toss and lollipop pull. The Northeast Nodaway PTO will be having a free bounce house and face painting for kids. The Northeast Nodaway FFA will be having their animal Bingo; you can buy a chance from any FFA member that day. The Northeast Nodaway Junior Class will be having a dunk tank. The Northeast Nodaway Freshman Class will be having snow cones. There will be open horseshoe pitching located in the park by the school; bring your own horseshoes. There will be a flea market; bring your own tables. For more information, call 986-3330. You can but three raffle tickets for a dollar for hourly prizes donated by sponsors of Duck Days. There will be a list posted at the park; you must be present to win.