Elwood’s 125th birthday festivities start Sunday

Post date: May 28, 2010 11:58:15 PM

By HARRY G. PERKINS Hub Regional Correspondent, Kearney HUB on line at: http://www.kearneyhub.com

ELWOOD -- A three-month birthday party for Elwood begins Sunday with a variety of festivities.

The town celebrates its quasquicentennial, the 125th anniversary of its founding in 1885, this year.

A community church service at the village park Sunday will be followed by a potluck dinner to get the celebration under way. A community choir will provide music.

An old-fashioned style show and tea will be at 2 p.m., and a series of events with familywide appeal begins at 4 p.m., including an old-fashioned Olympics, a plate drop by the Johnson Lake Flying Service and a tug-of-war at the Gosper County Fairgrounds.

There will be carriage rides sponsored by Pinnacle Bank and a deputizing ceremony for the town’s posse. The posse will catch and charge people who have violated the weekend laws for dress and for the absence of facial hair.

The Elwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue will provide supper for a freewill donation. Quasquicentennial souvenirs will be on sale throughout the day.

Memorial Day will be observed with services by the American Legion. There will be a 10 a.m. service at Salem Cemetery and an 11 a.m. service at Elwood Cemetery.

Lunch will be served at the Gosper County Senior Center following the services.

There will also be a golf tournament Monday at the Lakeside Country Club. Contact Dick Bennett at 308-785-3103 for more details.

Residents are planning additional events to celebrate the quasquicentennial over the summer, including events at the county fair the last weekend in July.