Photo (l to r): Westside Sesquicentennial Central Committee members, Michell Simons and Rose Miller
Nearly half of the 299 residents of Westside are either serving on the central committee or have already volunteered to help out with their upcoming August Sesquicentennial celebration weekend. Committee member, Rose Miller, says her family has a very long history in the Crawford County community. Her mother actually served on the Centennial committee
Another committee member, Michell Simons says they began planning for the Aug. 23, 24, and 25 event about three months after the Vail Sesquicentennial in 2017.
Organizers wanted to make it family-friendly, a lot of fun and very affordable with something to appeal to everyone. Miller says this focus is seen first thing on Friday afternoon as “Reunion Night” kicks-off the festivities.
Saturday starts bright and early with breakfast service at 6:30 a.m. Simons provides some details about other things taking place throughout the day.
After the parade there will be kids’ activities, with inflatables, a petting zoo, a dunk tank, barrel rides and more for just a $5 wrist band for each child. Live musical performances will take place all day, with Paige Huntley, Brad Morgan and Pie in the Sky performing prior to the fireworks display at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday’s events begin at 8 a.m. and then close out with a Quilt of Valor ceremony for seven veterans in Kock Memorial Park. Simons says this is a must for her, and for others who have never seen the presentation.
More information on the schedule of events, instructions on how to volunteer and how to sign up for participation in activities or purchase cash raffle tickets can be found on their Facebook page, a link for which is included with this story on our website. Or you can contact Janine Kock at the Westside Observer office on Highway 30. A schedule of events can also be found with this story online.
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Westside Sesquicentennial Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WESTSIDE150/
Schedule of events:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
“Reunion Night” — Enjoy A Night Gathering with Family, Friends and Classmates
4 p.m. – School open for tours. (until 6 p.m.)
5 p.m. – Quilt Show and Antique Display open, Fire Station (until 7 p.m.)
5 p.m. – Helicopter Rides begin, continuing all day Saturday! (Location TBD!)
5:30 p.m. – Main Street Beer Garden and Food Stand open (Beer Garden closes at 1 a.m.)
6 p.m. – Neil Anders “One Man Band” on Main Street Stage
6:30 p.m. – Flag raising at football field by Westside Legion post followed by AWV Varsity FB vs. Griswold
6:30 p.m. — Registration begins for Kids’ Pedal Pull, intersection of Main Street & 2nd Street
7 p.m. – Bar in Community Building opens. Building open for visiting throughout the evening. Memorabilia available in the Community Building while it lasts!
7 p.m. – Kids’ Pedal Pull at intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street.
8:30 p.m. – Beard Judging (either in Community Building or on Main Street Stage)
10 p.m. – “Time of Your Life” DJ Scott Masching on Main Street Stage (until 1 a.m.)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
6:30 a.m. – Breakfast sandwiches available by Food Committee.
8 a.m. — Watermelon Run/Walk beginning on Mill Creek Bridge on North Main.
9 a.m. – Parade Registration begins, 1st Street/FAC Agronomy Center
9:30 a.m. – Flag raising at Hoffman Park by Westside Legion/Legion Riders.
10 a.m. – Chainsaw Carver working on 2nd Street (continues all day — items to be auctioned)
10 a.m. – Food Stand on Main Street opens
10 a.m. – Beer Garden opens at Hoffman Park (until 6 p.m.)
10:30 a.m. – Big Parade Begins (Lineup at FAC Agronomy Center, west side of town).
12 noon – Inflatables and Other Kids’ Activities, Dunk Tank, Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Barrel Rides, Carnival Food, in Hoffman Park throughout the afternoon until 7 p.m.
12 noon – Beer Garden opens on Main Street (until 1 a.m.)
12 noon – Car Show begins, Clinton Street (near the school)
12 noon – Quilt Show and Antique Displays Open, Fire Station (until 6 p.m.)
1 p.m. – Bingo at Community Building by Westside Legion (until 5 p.m.), Memorabilia available!
2-4 p.m. – Fire Department Water Fights on Eagle Street
3-6 p.m. – Paige Huntley and Band performs at Hoffman Park
5 p.m. – Free Watermelon by the Westside Fire Department, Main Street near Hoffman Park
6-10 p.m. — Ride the Mechanical Bull, at the top of Main Street!
6-8:30 p.m. – Brad Morgan performs on Main Street Stage
8:30 p.m. – Auction of Carved Items, Depot Prints, Sesquicentennial Car, etc., Main Street Stage
9 p.m.-1 a.m. – Pie in the Sky performs on Main Street Stage
10:30 p.m. – Fireworks, North Main Street
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
8 a.m. – Flag raising, United Church front lawn
8 a.m. – Tractor Ride begins following flag raising, FAC Agronomy Center
9 a.m. – Community Worship Service, United Church
10 a.m. – Quilt Show Open and Antique Displays Open, Fire Station (until noon)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Staley’s Chicken Dinner, Community Building
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2-6 p.m. – Lawn Tractor Pull by Western Iowa Garden Tractor Pulling Association;
Big Tractor Pull by West Central Iowa Pullers, North Main Street. (Refreshments will be served)
12:30 p.m. – Cash Raffle drawing, Community Building
1 p.m. – Quilt of Valor Ceremony, Kock Memorial Park. (Tractor Pulls will break for this ceremony.)
