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The 40th annual Cinder City Days is one of the first kick-off celebrations of summer in the Chippewa Valley. This four-day event in Altoona begins on Thursday, June 6, with a carnival, but the weekend brings even more fun. Starting Friday, there will be free music, a baseball tournament (for both Little Leaguers and the Babe Ruthers out there) and a softball tournament. Saturday brings the bulk of the event, including a pancake breakfast, the Fourth Annual Spectrum Shuffle 10k/5k Run/Walk, the largest parade in the area, a doll and pet parade for participants in sixth grade or under, Chicken in the Park, and a beanbag tournament. There will also be car and craft shows on Saturday as well. This event is hosted by the Altoona Lions Club, which has been responsible for many projects in the community, such as recycling eyeglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones; cornea eye tissue transportation; preschool vision screening; the 10th Street Christmas park display; and spring and fall fish boils. The have donated money to Altoona High School scholarships, the Wisconsin Eye Bank, Leader Dog programs, Camp Needlepoint (Diabetic Camp), Wisconsin Lions Camp (for children with visual, hearing, or mild cognitive disabilities), community safety, and local food pantries. Cinder City Days is a great opportunity to get out, have some fun in the early summer sun, and give back to the community by supporting such a great organization. For more information and a full schedule, search for “Altoona Lions Club/Cinder City Days” on Facebook.

Cinder City Days • June 6-9 • 10th Street and Spooner Avenue, Altoona • all ages • AltoonaLionsClub@yahoo.com