Where community is family

“Good ole’ fashioned fun,” the Percy Fair is back for its 93rd year. The celebration will last all day on Aug. 27 from the morning church service to events and activities in the afternoon.

Nestled in the back roads of the Jasper and Marion County border, the Percy Fair is a call back to when times moved a little slower. Staged at the former schoolhouse families including the Keunings, Burns’, Kains and Kanes, along with a host of new friends and family have kept the memory of Percy alive for more than 90 years.

“We keep it simple country fun, that is what it comes down to,” Luke Wilson said during an early event.

The morning will start off with coffee and cinnamon rolls at 9:30 a.m. with a church service to start at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served by the PCM junior class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a program to follow. A favorite of all who stop by, the kids and adults sports kick off at 1:30 p.m. with activities including the crowd favorite slipper kick and a golf contest along with many games and races.

The families of Percy have worked to keep the memory of the community alive even after the physical town disappeared decades ago. When the Red Rock Dam was built in the 1960s, the Des Moines River flooded the entire town, leaving Percy to become a piece of history.

The organizers are also hosting Percy Puzzles, a contest to see who can finish their puzzle first at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at the schoolhouse. To participate it is $100 per four-person team with the puzzle provided. Food will be available for a free-will donation.