It’s called a “fun run”, and it really was fun. There were not more than a hundred people in the 1 mile run, which was a contrast from the huge Go! St. Louis 5K I ran in April  in Forest Park, St. Louis.

The variety in ages was impressive. There were tiny kiddos as young as 4 and 5 years old, and I was passed by a man who was probably seventy. It was a family event, where parents ran beside their young kids and adult children walked with their moms and dads.

People come in from out of town to run with us in Farmington. A woman at the start line with me said she drives from Sikeston every year to run in our little race. 

There were three total events this morning; the 1 mile fun run, the 2 mile walk, and the 5 mile run. Among the racers in the 5 mile was a high school runner who holds the state record for the mile (4:13).

Country Days activities will continue throughout the day and into tomorrow. For the complete schedule of activities, see the Daily Journal’s website.

Like any other small town, Farmington has a revenue-boosting, visitor-drawing weekend of fun. In other towns, it might be a watermelon festival or a apple harvest. In this small town, it’s Country Days.

Up go fair booths and sidewalk sales and carnival rides, and the streets become blocked off to vehicle traffic. The smells of dirt and sweat and funnel cake and hot dogs fill the air, and town comes to life for one weekend.

Activities begin in earnest tomorrow, with rides opening at 5 pm, a dance party starting at 6, and the annual moonlight bike ride starting at 10:30.

On Saturday, highlights include a one-mile fun run at 7 am, a 5 mile run at 7:30, the opening of the arts & crafts fair at 9, and the parade at 10. THE big event of Country Days 2009 will be the Aaron Tippin concert at 8:30 pm in Long Park.

Activities continue through mid-day Sunday. I’m considering wandering the events with my camera to see if I can get some fun small town moments, though I may escape the crowds and head into the woods for a weekend of hiking instead.

Click here for a complete schedule of events.