The weekend immediately following the Fourth of July is Litchfield's biggest celebration each year. That's when the entire city dives into Watercade, a weekend of fun, food and festivities.

The Watercade celebration, which is in its 52nd year, will be July 10-13, 2008.

Activities planned each year for Watercade include a Grande Day Parade, junior royalty contest, Art in the Park, lip sync competition, 4- and 8-mile run, fishing contest, kiddie parade, water-ski show, golf tournament and a fireworks display.

The annual Miss Litchfield coronation takes place Sunday evening, as Watercade's finale, and includes the crowning of the new Miss Litchfield. The 2007-08 Miss Litchfield Natalie Barnes will serve until the 2008 coronation.

As the name implies, Watercade celebrates Litchfield's location in west central Minnesota's lakes region, most notably Lake Ripley, which is on the city's south end, and is the site for several Watercade activities.