Bagley Crazy Days! An Annual Bagley Tradition for Years
The weather was perfect Saturday for Bagley’s annual Crazy Days. Vendors filled Main Street in downtown Bagley from the lights north to the Bagley Senior Center, south to Galli’s Furniture. Vendors selling about everything from hand crafted wood furniture, handmade up cycled purses, jewelry, art, walking canes and sticks, and knickknacks, to tools, tables, chairs, recliners and sofas. Plus a whole lot more.
Shoppers from all over came in the earlier hours. They filled the sidewalks finding treasures they knew they needed, once found. Some enjoyed the morning with a gooey snack, a cup of coffee or the taste of ice cream. While others enjoyed a Brat, chips and a drink.
Candidate for Clearwater County Sheriff Clarence LaCroix was set up north of the light and posed with his wife. Their daughter was present as well. He had a coloring station for kids, quickly coined Coloring with Clarence. Ladies walking by took the opportunity to sit and “Color with Clarence”. As they all began the task at hand, coloring, the ladies were quick to ask poignant questions of the candidate. The coloring station was really a “Junior Deputy Station”. We can all be Junior Deputies regardless of age! Lemonade and Fruit Punch were served.
Members of the Bagley Area Arts Collaborative (BAAC) were on hand in their art space with several tables of beautiful handmade creations for sale. The BAAC is located a half block or so west of the light on Central (Hwy 2), in the building now occupied by Northwest Dental Access.
The Bagley Senior Center got started at 8:00am with 300 gooey delicious caramel rolls. Whether you wanted to dine in like Sylvia Herbert - or “grab and go” from the table outside, it was all hands on deck to keep up with the demand. By 9:30 the rolls were gone!
A special shout out to 12 year old Allan Reese, grandson of Jane Gregory, whose young legs proved to be invaluable as he ran packs of caramel rolls from the kitchen to the sidewalk and never stopped until the rolls were gone. Gail St. George sitting to Allan’s right in the picture said, “what a remarkable young man Allen is! I am so impressed by his kindness and how helpful he is. I believe his Grandmother Jane has a lot to do with this. Thank you for helping to raise this super kid!! He is the best!”
South of the light Galli’s Furniture Store filled much of the sidewalk in front of the store with great deals from socks to couches. Inside was no exception. Heather Galli, owner of Galli’s and Crazy Days organizer hadn’t slowed a moment even in the afternoon hours. Many vendors can be seen on north of Galli’s on both sides of the street.
At Galen’s “Do It Best” Hardware store the parking lot was full of just about everything, with deals shoppers couldn’t pass up. Store manager Kyle said it was a great day! Lots of shoppers, especially earlier in the day.
And! in true Galen’s fashion, an event such as this or any summer day, called for a cook out! Brats/Chips/Soda were available for only $5. Newly engaged couple Sierra and Jonas held down the Brat Station.
Galen’s Fresh Food Market west of town was a buzz as well with lots of activities for Kids Day! Kids of all ages were treated to a Bounce House, Face Painting, Dunk Tank, and other activities. Prizes were also available. Kids also enjoyed a free hot dog, chips & bottled water. Love the nod to hydration with the water. It was a very warm day with temps in the mid 80’s by 10:30am and kids play hard!
Heather Galli, Crazy Days organizer, said it was great to so many people downtown, supporting vendors, Bagley’s businesses and organizations. Crazy Days, once organized by the Bagley Area Chamber, has been a Bagley tradition for many years. With the Area Chamber inactive at this time, Heather became more involved in organizing the annual event. She felt a strong sense to give people a reason to come downtown and experience what Bagley has to offer.
Over the years Heather has been building on the traditional Crazy Days Sidewalk sales by adding the Vendor and Craft Show. She continues encouraging other businesses and organizations to create their own activities. She said, “it has really become a collaborative community event rather than something one person, organization or business puts on. There is something special about continuing a tradition that people remember years ago while finding ways to make it relevant and fun today”.
Building on the traditions, making it fun and relevant for today, and imagining what the future could be are important things keep in mind. Heather has more to share about Crazy Days 2026; from businesses not right in downtown, some challenges faced, to her hope and vision for next year and years to come. Her words, full of love, passion and commitment, extend well beyond that of a Bagley business owner.
For this week Heather Galli, event organizer, extends a deep heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, even a little, in making Bagley Crazy Days 2026 a success. More to come.