It’s time for Survival Days in West Concord

West Concord’s 37^th annual Survival Days gets underway tonight, Thursday, as local law enforcement officials take on the firefighters and EMS workers in a Guns vs. Hoses charity softball game.

The game starts at 7 p.m. at the West Concord softball fields. During the game organizers will be “passing the boot” with all monies raised going to Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention.

Activities continue all weekend. There are several daytime events on Friday including city-wide garage sales, coffee and donuts at the Methodist Church, garage sale at the Historical Society and kids activities and a picnic at Memorial Park from 4:30 to 7;30 p.m.

Food stands and the Beer Garden open at 5 p.m.

The Mayor’s Key to the City, the Miss West Concord Pageant, the announcing of the Citizen of the Year and the winners of the Baby Contest all take place at Lion’s Park beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Other Friday events include a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Park, Garden Tractor Pull on Front Street at 6 p.m., a Bean Bag Tournament on Main Street starting with registration at 6:30 p.m., and a 5K Color Run/Walk beginning at Memorial Park by the pool. 5K registration is at 7 p.m. with a start time of 7:15 p.m.

Friday activities conclude with Music Under the Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Admission is $5 or a Survival Days button.

A new activity for both Friday and Saturday this year will be open barn and milking observations at Gochnauer Farms at the end of Main Street in West Concord. The event will take place on Friday, July 22, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, July 23, from 5 to 7 a.m.

If you miss being in a barn as a kid or if you have never seen cows get milked, this is the event for you. On Friday afternoon there will be dairy treats available and on Saturday morning there will be coffee and milk. On Saturday morning the milk truck will also be coming during that time frame.

There will be tables set up in a seating area for everyone to sit and enjoy the time.

There are also other activities scheduled at the farm during the weekend including a Fun at the Farm activities and a meat smoking competition.

Friday features a full day of events beginning at 7 a.m. with coffee and donuts at the Methodist Church, continuing until 11 a.m.

On Saturday the Fire Department will have their Burrito Breakfast and Burgers from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The annual Scott Hodgman Classic Car and Bike Show on Main Street opens at 8 a.m. and continues until 1 p.m.

Also starting at 8 a.m. is a softball tournament and the garage sales resume at 8:30 a.m.

Fun on the Farm, including a petting zoo, opens at Gochnauer Dairy Barn on the east end of Main Street at 10 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m.