Swayzee Days continues to celebrate small town life

On September 14, the town of Swayzee hosted their annual Swayzee Days event which consisted of several family-oriented events, starting with the 7:30 a.m. 5K race.  

A range of Swayzee locals arrived at West Park early in the morning to kick off Swayzee Day with the race. The course was arranged by Phillip Howell from Swayzee Utilities. The course spread out across the town of Swayzee, taking participants through parks, past morning wheat fields, eventually to end downtown across from the Town Hall building.  

Howell sprayed green arrows along the course to keep runners on the trail. Utilities also provided orange cones to highlight every major turn along the course. It was Howell’s first time planning the race.  

“It was good,” Howell said, “but I have learned quite a few things for next year. I guess that’s probably how it happens a lot.”  

The top three winners of the Swayzee Day 5K won cash prizes and placement medals.  

Howell said, “(We are) trying to get community involvement and just have something fun for everybody to get together with the town.” 

After the 5K wrapped up, pancakes were served in the Town Hall. Swayzee locals and a few visitors sat around plastic folding tables, eating breakfast and discussing their weekends.  

Event Communications Coordinator, Brittany Reiner, said, “One thing that Swayzee really prides itself on is small town living and the strong community. (Swayzee Day) is one thing that we’ve had for a long time just for people to come around and see each other and enjoy all the amenities that rural country life offers.” 

The Town Council hosts the event every year. The Saturday event consisted of the 5K run, a kids bike parade, a silent auction and a town parade, which was lead by the Swayzee Fire Department.  

“There are a lot of residents who have been here for a long time,” said Reiner. “They know that the culture is ‘everybody knows everybody’, and relationships are strong. This is something that people expect, and the town council is happy to put it on for them every year.” 

Scott Shepard, a Marion resident who was in Swayzee to perform radio corps communications, said, “I think there is obviously a core of very dedicated people that work at this. I think it’s a great community builder that represents what life is like in small-town America. I’m a little envious of the small-town atmosphere.”