Old Settlers’ Day celebration offers four days of fun
By Tina Foreman
Farmer Staff Writer
As fall approaches, the time has come for the 64th Annual Old Settlers’ Day Celebration in Alexander, a weekend of food, fun, family, reunions and of course, new memories.
This year’s celebration will run from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6.
The festivities kick off on Thursday, Sept. 3 with the Bonfire at 7 p.m. Each year the bonfire is held to kick off the event and prepare for the annual roast that is held at noon on Saturday, which is the focus of the weekend.
“The whole weekend centers around Saturday’s feed,” says Barb Fixen, Old Settlers’ Day chairman. “A noon feed 64 years ago is how it all got started.”
Friday’s festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the Long X Wagon Train which leaves from the Anderson Vermeer Machinery Lot.
Those more interested in the food portion of the weekend won’t want to miss a minute of the Chili Cook-Off from 3 to 6 p.m. on Main Street. After you get your fill of chili, you’ll want to head over to the ALSC Arena for Team Roping beginning at 5 p.m. Wrapping up the day will be music and dancing at the Firehall with ‘Wes and the Sidewinders’.
Thursday and Friday are sure to be fun days, but if you can’t make it to all four days of the celebration, Saturday is the day you don’t want to miss.
The events kick off with the parade down Main Street at 11 a.m. Whether you’re a participant in the Parade or just there for the candy, it’s sure to be a fun time. Following the parade will be the barbecue in the park. In true Old Settlers’ Day tradition, this year’s beef has been donated in memory of Leonard and Elda Fixen with a program honoring them scheduled for 1 p.m.
After they fill up on parade candy and the barbecue, the kids won’t want to miss the Aerial Ball Drop on the north side of the Alexander School.
“The ball drop is something new this year, sponsored by Bryan Prevost,” says Sarah Lewis. “Prevost will fly over and drop Styrofoam balls down to the kids. Once they have a ball they can turn it in for a prize donated by Pepsi Cola Bottling.”
The ball drop is just the beginning of the fun for the kids. The kids carnival will open at 12:30 and run until 4:30 p.m.
“The kids carnival is completely free of charge,” says Lewis. “It is located near the school on Weber Excavating land. We are very thankful to Joe Weber for allowing us to set up on his land.”
The carnival will include fun and games for kids of all ages from the tractor pull to the 27-foot cliffhanger slide, there will be something for everyone.
“The kids will have a blast with all of the inflatable games we have,” adds Lewis. “We plan to have the cliffhanger slide, bungee run, rock wall, iron man obstacle course and the toddler jumper.”
In case of inclement weather the games will be held inside of the Alexander School, so rain or shine, the fun will go on.
Following the carnival will be the Street Dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Everyone is welcome to dance the night away to Singing Star Music with Trudi Slow.
Although the main day of the weekend is Saturday, the fun spills over into Sunday with the Basin Buck-A-Roo Youth Rodeo Finals for kids 15 and under beginning at 10 a.m. in the ALSC Arena.
It’s going to be a weekend filled with fun and excitement and a $2 Old Settlers’ Day Button admits you to all of the activities, so there’s no excuse not to stop out and enjoy at least some of the fun.