Gopher Count


The Gopher Count is an annual community festival held in Viola, Minnesota, United States. Since 1874, the event has been on the third Thursday in June. Some the events include a parade, a tractor show, a nail-driving contest, a pie-eating contest, fireworks, and dancing. Gopher Count is one year older than the Kentucky Derby.
The festival is named for the practice of collecting a bounty on killed gophers, still paid by the township, though other aspects of the festival are more actively promoted.