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Salem Old Settlers will return this weekend
Enjoy food, games, music, and tradition in Salem Aug. 23-25
SALEM — After months of planning, Salem Old Settlers will return chock-full of many well-loved traditions this weekend Friday through Sunday, Aug. 23-25.
The festivities will kick off Friday night at 5 p.m. with a car cruise, ham and bean supper, and Joe’s Old Fashioned Fun Carnival. Those looking to begin the weekend with a little competition can start by signing up for the bags tournament in front of the library at 5:30 p.m. Teams will pay $20 for the game which will begin at 6 p.m. The first night will wrap up with the first of three free musical concerts for the weekend. Lee-Henry Road will play from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday the streets of Salem will be filled with fun from 6 a.m. to midnight. A pancake breakfast at the fire station, a fun run/walk, and kid’s game will keep the morning busy for those attending Old Settlers.
The parade, with a theme “Let’s RAWR in 2024,” will start at 10:30 a.m.
With the Old Settlers traditions dating back over 141 years, those 65 and older are encouraged to register on the North Side of the Park to commemorate their attendance between 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This year’s kids’ games including bean bag races, three-legged races, hula hoops, and giant bubbles will have a more laid-back approach with less specific times.
“Our giant bubbles and hula hoops are available for your leisure for the entire hour for any age group, even kids under 2,” kids’ games organizer Hollie Moothart said. “Please take turns, respect items, and return things where they were when you are done!”
The three-legged race will give kids an opportunity to figure out how to participate in this type of activity with multiple chances and opportunities for assistance. The bean bag race will be divided by ages, but will run as age groups are available.
The returning wood pit, however, will still offer the following structured age-specific times due to popularity from last year and to promote safe play:
11 a.m. 11—12-year-olds
11:10 a.m. 9-10-year-olds
11:20 a.m. 7-8-year-olds
11:30 a.m. 5-6-year-olds
11:40 a.m. 2-4-year-olds
The rest of Saturday will be filled with the carnival open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., a horseshoe tournament at 11:30 a.m., a silent auction throughout the afternoon at the library, and a pedal pull at 1 p.m. followed by fire department water fights.
As the evening comes to an end, a chicken barbecue dinner ill be served in the shelter house before Stumptown playing from 6-9 p.m. and a street dance with DJ Jordan from 9 p.m.-midnight.
For those still left with the energy to get up Sunday morning, Friends’ Church will host a community church service at 10 a.m. in the park followed by a potluck in their fellowship hall.
While it is not yet time to celebrate Old Settlers, those planning to attend can prepare by buying carnival tickets early at Kramer’s until Friday at 4:30 p.m. and receive a $5 discount on a sheet of 24 tickets. Rides will cost between two to five tickets each. In addition to receiving a discount, buying early helps the Old Settlers committee pay for the carnival.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
