An antique tractor ride, an appraisal fair and a concert by the Melrose-Mindoro Jazz Band are new events in what the Mindoro Lion’s Club hopes will be an even bigger and better Spanferkel next week.

The popular three-day celebration kicks off Friday evening, Sept. 5, with the Miss Mindoro pageant; an associated punt, pass and kick contest will be held earlier that afternoon. There will also be music by Double Crossed followed by the Lions Club fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. And, for the card players, there is a Texas hold ’em tournament at 7 p.m. and then again at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.

“We get a lot of compliments about the fireworks,” said Lions Club member Steve Oesterle. “Like everything else, the costs have gone up recently, but we still try to have a 20- to 30-minute exhibition every year.”

Traditionally, the fireworks end with an unusual twist — a ground display of a pig.

On Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cindy’s banquet hall will be the site of the Appraisal Fair, a local version of public television’s popular “Antiques Roadshow.”

“We’ll have an expert on hand to appraise any antique items that people might want to bring in,” said Gloria Beaser, event organizer.

Saturday will also feature a medallion hunt at 10 a.m. and children’s games and bingo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We tried to have more things for the kids this year,” Oesterle said. Spanferkel will also feature a sawdust pile hunt for quarters, dimes and nickels for the youngsters.

One highlight of the day will be the Melrose-Mindoro FFA Alumni Tractor Ride, with registration from 9-10 a.m at the county park. There will also be a co-ed volleyball tournament, and an antique tractor pull.

Walking tours of Mindoro will be offered throughout the day and there is also a book sale with proceeds going to the proposed Mindoro Community Library.

“There’s usually kind of a lull late in the afternoon, so that’s when we’ll have the Mel-Min Jazz Band play for an hour or so,” Oesterle said.

There’s even a special Spanferkel cancellation stamp available that should remind people why Spanferkel is promoted as Wisconsin’s biggest pork fest.

“(The stamp) has a pig with an apron and says “Put a squeal in your meal,’” Oesterle said. Besides pulled pork, the Lions Club will also serve pork chops for as long as they last.

Saturday evening should be good for some laughs during the popular garden tractor pull. Double Crossed will again be providing the music beginning at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 7 is parade day.

“We got about 70 entries last year, and we’re hoping for at least that many this year,” Oesterle said. There will also be an old-fashioned pie and ice cream social with portions available.

One of the great things about Spanferkel is the free admission. It’s not necessary to buy a button, but for those who do, there will be a drawing for prizes after the parade. Only a maximum of 500 buttons will be sold and there will be 10 winners. First prize is a John Deere riding lawn mower. Second prize is a Stihl chainsaw and the remaining winners will get cash prizes.

Music will be heard Sunday afternoon as well, as the Country Classics will play from 2-6 p.m.

Oesterle said that it takes a lot of teamwork from a lot of people to pull off Spanferkel every year.

“We have 20 to 30 (Lions Club) members and we would welcome just about anyone to join. Our group formed in 1968 and this is probably the 36th or 37th year for Spanferkel.”

The club holds a dozen or so breakfasts a year to help pay Spanferkel’s expenses.

“We really enjoy doing it,” Oesterle said.