AS I SEE IT
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Wondering where to go and what to do this Labor Day Weekend? Well, you aren’t going to have to go very far if you are looking to have a great family time as the residents of Alexander are rolling out the red carpet this week for their 65th annual Old Settlers’ Day Celebration.
From the Chili Cook-Off and team roping on Friday, the parade, barbecue and a children’s carnival on Saturday and wrapping up with the Buck-A-Roo Youth Rodeo Finals on Sunday, Alexander’s Old Settlers’ Day is a great family event and a perfect way to enjoy a beautiful fall weekend.
Pulling off a great weekend of fun and entertainment is no easy task for any sized community. But the people of the Alexander area make it look easy, and after 64 years of experience at hosting this annual event, it runs like the proverbial “well-oiled machine.”
With an army of volunteers, many of whom you see year after year, manning the fire, cutting and serving the beef and working all of the events, you can see why Old Settlers’ Day has stood the test of time. While putting on this annual event takes a lot of work, they make it fun, and the fun has become pretty contagious.
And just as Alexander has no trouble finding volunteers for this weekend, the Old Settlers’ Day Committee has a waiting list of area farmers, ranchers and businesses just waiting for their chance to be able to donate upwards to 1,500 pounds of home-grown McKenzie County beef to feed the people who flock to the barbecue.
Old Settlers’ Day has become the celebration that the community of Alexander hangs its hat on. It is steeped in the tradition of celebrating the end of the harvest season and the gathering of friends and neighbors from across McKenzie County.
So this weekend, become part of Alexander’s tradition and take in the good times, good food and good fellowship that make up Old Settlers’ Day. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the Labor Day weekend.