HOLYROOD – Born among prairie dog holes and buffalo wallers the town of Holyrood rose from the prairie to become an important community along Plum Creek in Ellsworth County.
On June 21 - 23, the city of Holyrood will celebrate its 125th Jubilee along the same streets from which was heard the roar of train engines and clatter of wagon wheels.
The celebration will start at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 21, with an ice cream social at the Main Street City Park sponsored by H&B Communications.
Friday’s activities include a history of Holyrood exhibit along with a quilt display at the Holyrood Grade School located at the south end of Main Street. Use the main entrance to view these free displays from 3 to 8 p.m. The displays will also be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Famous for their barbecue, the Holyrood Fire Department will serve dinner at the park Friday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The free will donation will benefit Holyrood’s dedicated volunteer department.
The Main Street Beer Garden will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday night and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday.
Main Street will rock with the sounds of King Midas and the Muflers from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Friday. Admission to the street dance is $8 with children 12 and under free. No coolers will be allowed.
Holyrood runners challenge all runners to a 6k run on Saturday morning starting at 7:30 a.m. at the softball diamond on County Road.
Entries for the grand parade are still being accepted. Parade entry forms are available on the Jubilee website.
The Bank of Holyrood will sponsor one float entitled “Partners Through Time.” According to bank employee Karen Pauley, “The city and Holyrood Bank have truly had a partnership through the good times and the difficult times. The bank was founded on Jan. 20, 1887, surviving through grasshopper plaques, dust storms and the depression. Since December 1980, my father and mother Gerald and Nadine Pauley have worked side-by-side to continue this great heritage.”
The parade down Main Street will start with a children’s parade at 9:30 a.m. from the water tower followed by the grand parade starting from the American Legion.
Great food, crafts, games, volleyball tournament, talent show, performances by the Holyrood Band and Holyrood Chorus, reptile show and a car, motorcycle and farm implement show will add to a day of fun and opportunity to meet with old friends who are returning to the community for Holyrood school and family reunions.
“Committee members have spent hundreds of hours planning and preparing for this event,” said Jubilee Committee chairperson Christi Herber. “Members of the community have worked hard to spruce up the town. We invite those from neighboring communities to join with us for this historic celebration.”
Herber can be reached at 785-252-3209. For a complete list of activities, times and registration information visit the celebration website at www.holyrood125thjubilee.com.