Salem Old Settlers celebrates 140 years

SALEM — Following the traditions of the last 140 years, Salem Old Settlers will return Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Aug. 25-27 with good old fashioned family fun.

“We have all of your favorite events like the barbecue chicken dinner and fun/run walk, but we are also bringing back some old time favorites like the kids games and street dance,” event organizer Sabrina Mathews stated in a Facebook post hyping up the event.

This year will feature a new carnival with 8-10 rides from Joe’s Old Fashioned Carnival.

Those interested in taking a spin on rides can purchase tickets in advance at Kramer’s until Aug. 25 at 4:30 p.m. for a discounted rate of $15 for 24 tickets instead of $20.

Every year, Old Settlers features free concerts. This year’s concerts will include performances from Jennifer Lynn Handling and Revolution Friday night and The Boys Saturday night.

Following the concert the street dance will return to the festivities with music from DJ Jordan.

Also returning this year, the Old Settlers event committee has arranged to bring back kids games which will include giant bubbles, hula hoops, a bean bag race, a 3-legged race, and wood pit.

“We will have age groups 2-4, 5-8, and 9-12 for our bean bag race, 3 legged race, and our wood pit this year,” organizer Hollie Moothart said.

Moothart stated that children under 2 years old may not compete in any of the races or play in the wood pit for safety reasons, but still invites these kids to enjoy the giant bubble station and hula hoops.

The wood pit will offer the following times for kids to play:

11 a.m. kids from 9-12 years olds may play

11:20 a.m. kids from 5-8 years olds may play

11:40 a.m. kids from 2-4 years olds may play

Following the fun of Friday and Saturday, Old Settlers will offer the traditional Sunday church service in the park.

This year Evangelist Mike Manor will preach at the service sponsored by Gospel Peace Baptist Church.

Friday

5-8 p.m. Car Cruise Night

5 p.m. Ham and bean supper at the Shelter House

5-10 p.m. Joe’s Old Fashioned Fun Carnival

6-9 p.m. Jennifer Lynn Handling and Revolution concert

Saturday

6-9 a.m. Salem Fire Department pancake breakfast at the Community Center

7-7:45 a.m. Fun run/walk registration at the Shelter House

7:30 a.m. Kids fun run begins

8 a.m. adult fun run begins

10:30 a.m. Parade “Salem is the Place to Bee in 2023”

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11 a.m. Kids games begin under the water tower

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lewelling House open

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Quilt show at library

11 a.m.-4 p.m. 65 and over registration on the north side of the park

  Buy Photo

11:30 a.m. Bags tournament sign up under the water tower

Noon Bags tournament begins

11:30-4 p.m. Silent auction at the library

Noon Pedal Pull registration at north side of the square

  Buy Photo

1 p.m. pedal pull begins on north side of the park

3 p.m. Fire Department water fights

5 p.m. Chicken Barbeque dinner at the Shelter House

6-9 p.m. The Boys concert

9 p.m.-midnight DJ Jordan street dance

Sunday

10 a.m. Sunday Church Service in the park

11 a.m. Horseshoe tournament sin up

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com