June 24, 2014

Let the party begin

By Stephanie Allums
Farmer Staff Writer

Come one, come all - to the Watford City 100 Year Centennial Celebration.
Although Watford City is a fairly “new” town compared to most, it is rich in history and community support.
In one century, Watford City has gone from a tiny, blink-of-an-eye gas stop, to a thriving, billion-dollar oil boom hub.
On Thursday, June 26, the Watford City 100 Year Centennial Celebrations will begin. The party will continue through the weekend, wrapping up on Sunday, June 29.
There will be a Free Main Street Feed kicking off the celebration on Thursday, followed by Meanderings on Main Street, which will be walking tours; a Centennial Park dedication; an alumni baseball game; and the kick-off of the Film Festival at 1:30 p.m. at Six Shooters’ Showhall on Main Street.
The Film Festival will feature Cowboys and Crude: The McKenzie County Story, Small Town Soldiers, and 6 Brothers. Showings will be at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. beginning on Thursday and through the weekend.
Friday, there will be a Centennial Parade and Festival, a Baby Pageant, an All School Reunion, the Trish Gravos Memorial Golf Scramble, an art show, Ag Days & Heritage Days, and the ground-breaking ceremony for the new healthcare system’s medical complex.
The Centennial Art Show, sponsored by the Long X Council on the Arts, will feature artists with connections to North Dakota and McKenzie County. It will be held at the Badlands Gymnastics Building at the fairgrounds. There will be a variety of lithographs, sculptures, illustrations, oil paintings and more. Some of the artists include Miles Bendixson, Larry Veeder, Julia Crozier, Bruce Loeschen, Trish Stevenson, Steven E. Lillegard, and Eddie Wold.
Saturday, there will be mud volleyball, the Centennial Festival with live music, food and fun for all ages. The All School Reunion will continue, along with the Baby Pageant, the art show and Heritage Days. There will be another free feed and a gun raffle.
Live music and free concerts throughout the weekend at the McKenzie County Fairgrounds and the Tourist Park will include Tom Brosseau, Lonesome Willy, Mr. Feelgood & the Firm Believers, Whiskey Rebellion, Quintana Biffert, Taylors/Dwaylors, The Radio Stars, Six Appeal, Tigirlily, 32 Below, Merrill Piepkorn, Jessie Veeder, Medora’s Burning Hills Cloggers and more.
On Sunday, there will be an interdenominational church service held.
Among the many souvenirs that will be for sale during the Watford City 100 Year Centennial Celebration, will be Centennial History Books, A Taste of History Recipe Books, Centennial Belt Buckles, and a Watford City Montage - which is an illustration of Watford City. These items may be purchased during the festivities or online at www.watfordcitycentennial.com.
Any pre-ordered Centennial items, such as the Centennial Book, cookbook, wine, belt buckles, etc., need to be picked up at the Long X Museum as soon as possible.
For more information regarding the alumni baseball game, contact Pat Spacher at (701) 720-4315.
For more information regarding the Centennial Parade, contact Vicki Monsen at VMonsen@mckenziecountybank.com.
For more information regarding the Baby Pageant, contact Cari Forbes at (701) 570-9867.
For more information regarding mud volleyball, contact Keith Larson at (701) 580-8380.
This weekend of celebration, history and remembrance would not have been possible without the Centennial Committee and all of the committees formed under it.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER