GWINN — The Gwinn Lions Club’s annual Gwinn Fun Daze event is coming up on June 21, and all of the money raised from event registrations will go to supporting children with cancer.

Starting off the day, there will be a 5K walk and run event, with prizes for the top finishers and a chance for door prizes. All participants in the event will receive a coupon for a $3 discount from any food vendor at the park. The race will begin at 8 a.m. at Gilbert Elementary School, which is located at 250 West Iron Street. Race registration can be done online at runsignup.com/Race/MI/Gwinn/WalkRunRoar. The $25 registration fee will be used to fund aid for childhood cancer.

“I think some of it (is) maybe the tradition that it’s about. It’s been there, it’s been a part of it. I’ve heard people that say, ‘Oh, I went to Fun Daze when I was a kid. I remember that.’ I love that, and I think trying to have a fairly affordable…a family friendly event,” said Kris Patterson, Event Coordinator for this year’s Gwinn Fun Daze, about the event’s 40-plus year history. “You get together and spend the day and it’s like if you go outside, get (the kids) being active, seeing different things…I think it’s just a good chance for families to have a day together, and (do) family things in a safe environment. I think it’s kind of probably one of the biggest things to me.”

Also beginning at the elementary school, at 10 a.m., a garden-themed parade will be taking place. Businesses and organizations who are interested in having a float in the parade can register online at gwinnlionsclub.org/parade or contact Patterson at 906-362-0202 or gwinnlionsclub@gmail.com.

A free antique motor vehicle show, which will include cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, and chainsaws will be taking place across the river, which is easy to access from the bridge connecting it to Peter Nordeen Park, located at 115 North Pine Street. There will be prizes awarded to winners of different categories, and door prizes for those displaying vehicles.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be live music, a bouncy house, several free games for kids, and a variety of food vendors including Croatian Chicken and Manny Mags. There will also be vendors with wares for sale, such as clothing, woodworking projects, glassware, jewelry, and a variety of homemade items.

A cornhole tournament will take place at 12 p.m., costing $20 for a pair and $10 for a single. Participants can register online at gwinnlionsclub.org/cornhole-tournament or at the park the day of the event. A children’s soccer camp will begin at 1p.m and run until 3 p.m., and children are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and tie-up tennis shoes, as well as bringing plenty of drinking water. Children are asked to show up by 12:40 p.m.

Registration for the soccer camp can be done online at gwinnlionsclub.org/youth-soccer-camp and is limited to 60 participants. Registration may also be available the day of the camp if there is still room.

Duck races will be held down the river at 3 p.m., and tickets can be purchased from members of the Gwinn Lions Club or by contacting the club via email.

Any questions regarding the event can be directed to gwinnlionsclub@gmail.com or found online at gwinnlionsclub.org.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.