Plans taking shape for Mount Ayr Sesquicentennial
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More details continue to emerge for Mount Ayr’s 150th birthday celebration set for September 19-21
Cookbook
Sesquicentennial organizers are seeking contributions of recipes for the publication of a special cookbook commemorating the town’s 150-year history.
Contributions are welcome from past and present Mount Ayr residents and may include everything from main dishes to desserts to famous “mocktails.”
The deadline for submitting recipes has been set for Saturday, February 15.
Submissions may be sent by email, by mail, or dropped off to Angie Glendenning at Country Blossoms or Lywanda Case at Glendenning Motors.
Email may be sent to mtayrsqcookbook@outlook.com.
Food and drink
The Ringgold County Cattlemen will provide a noon meal on Sunday, September 21, with other organizations and vendors providing food options at other times throughout the three-day event.
Trail’s End Saloon will provide a beer garden for the weekend. In accordance with their liquor license, patrons will be allowed to carry their beverages around the square.
A traditional Scottish tea will be held Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church.
Attractions
A carnival is booked for all three days. It will be located starting at the intersection of Madison and Taylor streets and run north on Taylor toward the Depot. Wristbands will be available for purchase.
A large car show will be held Sunday with more information to come closer to the event.
Plans are also in the works to have a small farm show Saturday and Sunday just off the square.
Various vendors will be lined up in one area starting on the north side of the square and continuing to the intersection of Madison and Pierce streets.
A children’s parade will precede the grand parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 20.
Performances over the weekend include the Omaha Drill Team, a bagpiping group, circus performers, and performances by the Mount Ayr Sparks drill team and dancers from Ryann’s Dance Academy. A complete list of performers will be announced closer to the event.
Local historian Mike Avitt will present a “sitting” tour of some of the buildings and historical sites around town. Members of the Historic Preservation Commission will also provide information on Mount Ayr history and efforts to sustain some of the town’s oldest structures.
The Clearfield Lions have offered the use of two shuttles to carry people to and from different ends of downtown, out to Rose Hill Cemetery for the cemetery tour, and to Ben Graham’s for the croquet tournament.
Music
As announced earlier, eight bands have been booked, with live music beginning at noon on Saturday and culminating with the headliner performance until 11 p.m. that night.
The primary stage will be set up at the northeast corner of the square with a smaller secondary stage located in a different area. Seating and lighting will be provided on East Madison Street to enjoy to live music performances on the main stage.
Fundraising
Efforts are well underway to raise funding for the celebration.
The marketing committee is securing a mobile app that will provide a schedule, line-up, and map of all events.
The committee is currently working on grant applications as well as sponsorship letters to local individuals, businesses, and organizations.
For more information, please contact event organizers at info@mtayr150.com.
Homecoming
Scheduling of certain events and activities will depend on the date of the Mount Ayr High School Homecoming.
The Iowa High School Athletic Association designates schedules for district football games, and individual schools then choose which home date they want to designate as their Homecoming.
The Homecoming date should be announced in the coming weeks, after which sesquicentennial plans can become more complete.
Plans are in place either way to accommodate the parade on Friday and other school events.
