Mason City blowout sesquicentennial celebration this weekend           Send a link to a friend

[September 20, 2007]  MASON CITY -- Mason City and its residents are getting gussied up this weekend as their sesquicentennial celebration continues. Events are planned to take place downtown, at the park and at the high school on both Saturday and Sunday.

4-8 p.m. -- 3-on-3 basketball, The Cell, middle school section, 100 block of West Court Street

5-7 p.m. (tentative time) -- Pork chop dinner sponsored by the Illini Central baseball team and the Mason County Pork Producers, Pavilion Park

6:30 p.m. -- Crowning of Prairie Harvest Days/Sesquicentennial queen, Pavilion Park stage

7-8 p.m. -- Live bluegrass music, Pavilion Park stage

7-11 p.m. -- Street dance and beer garden, music by Lost Boys, 100 block North Tonica Street (Harry's and down the street)

Nightly -- Amusement park attractions provided by Conner Family Amusements, Pavilion Park

7:15 and 9:30 p.m. -- Comedian Tim Cavanaugh. Two chances to see this "Bob and Tom Show" favorite at the Mason City Limits comedy club.

8-11 a.m. -- Breakfast at Mason City Civic Center, 120 N. Main St.

All day -- Civic Center events, information and amenities, located on the 100 block of North Main Street. Event schedules, maps and brochures; restroom facilities; and general information available. Souvenirs: DVDs, ceramic coasters, postcards, notecards, M.C. Sesquicentennial T-shirts. Historical memorabilia provided by local residents. Talking history with Mardel Mangold and Ralph Helton. Please stop by and join in the memories.

10 a.m. -- Sesquicentennial parade, "As Time Goes Bye," begins at the Illini Central School parking lot, continues east on Pine Street to Main Street, south on Main Street to Jefferson Street, and west to the Pavilion Park stage area.

10 a.m. opening -- Food and craft vendors, Pavilion Park

11 a.m. (after parade) -- Street art: sidewalk chalk re-creations of old photos by area students and artists, South Main Street

11 a.m. (after parade) -- Antique tractor display, South Main Street

11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Quilt show, Methodist Church

11:30 a.m. (after parade) -- Opening ceremonies and introductions, Pavilion Park stage

Noon -- Following the parade, Sisters of the Swish, lovely ladies in period clothing, will be escorted by Brothers of the Brush onto the Pavilion Park stage. Prizes will be awarded for preschool, grades 1-12, up to age 50 and over 50. Additionally, there will be two prizes for the best complete outfit for ages 1-20 and 20 and up.

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(Saturday schedule continued)

1 p.m. -- Firemen's water fight, Veterans Drive

1 p.m. -- Corn shelling demo, Hull Trucking parking lot

1-5 p.m. -- Various local entertainment, Pavilion Park stage

2-4 p.m. -- Local author book-signing at the Civic Center, featuring Dale Fancher's new book of reminiscences of Mason City; the latest thriller by novelist Lawrence Crossett, Donna Mayer's "History of Mason City," Jesse Young's poetry and other local authors.

2-6 p.m. -- Car show, South Main Street (downtown)

3 p.m. -- Corn shelling demo, Hull Trucking parking lot

5 p.m. -- Live music: Echos, Pavilion Park stage

6:30 p.m. -- Event to be announced, Pavilion Park stage

7-11 p.m. -- Street dance, The Cell, 100 block South Main Street

7-11 p.m. -- Street dance, Skippers/Stupid's, in alley behind Stupid's

7:15 and 9:30 p.m. -- Comedian Tim Cavanaugh. Two chances to see this "Bob and Tom Show" favorite at the Mason City Limits comedy club.

6:30-8:30 a.m. (tentative time) -- Breakfast sponsored by Pets without Parents, Pavilion Park

7:30 a.m. -- 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, Pavilion Park stage area. Click here for information and entry form. Late registration, 6:45-7:15 a.m.

The following events will take place at the Illini Central School gymnasium and cafeteria.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. -- Lunch, sponsored by The Cell, in school cafeteria: pork chops, rib-eyes, hot dogs and fixings

1:30 p.m. -- Sesquicentennial historical pageant: "As Time Goes By"

3-3:15 p.m. -- Presentation of flags, tribute to veterans

3:15-4 p.m. -- Community chorus: "Our Home Town," "Let Freedom Ring"

4-5 p.m. -- Ministerial association skits and pie auction

5-6 p.m. -- Sweet Adelines, ice cream social

A note from Bonnie Knieriem: If you have questions or would like an outfit to wear, you can still call 482-5821. Also call if you are planning to be on stage on Saturday, to provide a brief description of the clothes that you will be wearing and the approximate time period represented.

"I have had many calls volunteering clothes, but not many people to wear them," she said. "Let's show off our finery and let the world know what fashion mavens we are."

[Text from news release; LDN]

(Mason City information)

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