Hartford’s sesquicentennial celebration is right around the corner, and sesquicentennial committee members are busy putting the last minute touches on the event.
The sesquicentennial celebration will be Memorial Day weekend — May 25, 26 and 27 — in Hartford and promises activities for nearly every taste. On Wednesday night, 11 committee members hammered out the final details to make this event memorable for all who attend.
John O’Connor, chairman of the Hartford sesquicentennial committee, led Wednesday evening’s meeting. O’Connor passed around a proof copy of a book that is being published in honor of Hartford’s sesquicentennial. The book gives an account of the town from 1857 to 2007. The book will be available for purchase during the sesquicentennial weekend as will commemorative buttons.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the visit from decedents of the original founder of Hartford, Harvey D. Rice. Several descendants of the Rice family will be present during the weekend.
All businesses will be open on Saturday and Woody’s Cafe will stay open on Sunday. Events are planned as follows:
Friday, May 25
- 6 p.m. — Ice cream social by St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
- 7 p.m. — Celebration, including a welcoming address, the singing of the National Anthem by Don Roberts, congratulatory messages, a beard contest, a solo by Fred Gilligan, a vintage fashion show, a poem by Joyce Wardell and Vida Keyser read by Holly Thomsen, the singing of “Song of Hartford” by the community choir and blowing out the candles on the city’s birthday cake followed by “Happy Birthday.”
Saturday, May 26
- History displays and a historical time line will be on display throughout the day. A poster contest and 4-H history will be on display in the new community center.
- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. — breakfast at the new community center
- 10 a.m. — Parade
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — All churches open for viewing and tour
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Old-fashioned items on display in the small community center
- 11 a.m. to noon — Old-fashioned games for children
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Demonstrations of quilt making, weaving and spinning, tatting and prairie doll making in the old gym and quilt show will be on display
- 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. — Antique hay baler demonstration
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Lunch at the community building, sponsored by the Methodist church. Fire District No. 5 will also sell hamburgers and hot dogs.
- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Trolley car history tours
- 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Hay baler demonstration again
- 1 p.m. — Horseshoe pitching contest
- 2 p.m. — Barrel roll contest with ATVs for fifth grade through high school
- 5:30 p.m. — Class roll call for the annual Hartford alumni banquet
Sunday, May 27
- Noon — All community basket dinner in the new community building. Bring a covered dish and table service.
- 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Performance by the Bruce, Virginia and Company Band
- 3 p.m. Invitational horse pulling contest featuring eight pair
- Displays of old-fashioned clothing and Indian arrowheads at the library and of old-fashioned items at the small community center throughout the day. Busy Beaver 4-H and Eagle Creek Unit will sell refreshments.