The 150th Arkona anniversary celebration is happening this weekend.
The festivities will include live music, food trucks and a parade.
"We have a great weekend planned, filled with fun family-focused events. We start on Friday afternoon with our opening ceremonies at Utter Park in Arkona at 6 p.m. We have some great baseball games featuring youth in the community going on and music all night, starting with Force Excelsior Band, followed by Second Wind, and closing off with The Brothers Wild that night," said Co-Chairperson Rob Rombouts. "They're a great group, and we're glad to have them participate in our activities. And you know, can't forget that there's going to be cupcakes that night to help celebrate, so you know that would be great for the kids who are at the opening ceremonies."
Various events will take place over three days, from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14. A schedule can be found on the Arkona 150th website.
"We have music starting as early as 11 a.m., and then we have our parade starting at Rockland Road and ending at Utter Park, which starts at 1 p.m. and down our corner road there. So, we'll have lots of great floats featuring community members, some different performers, businesses, all sorts of different things," said Rombouts. "We have a cornhole tournament, some cider tasting hosted by Twin Pines, tours in different locations around the community, a quilt show, children's activities running from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Utter Park, and Rock Glen Conservation Area is offering free admittance for everyone all day."
The three days of festivities are put on by sponsors, as well as volunteers, and are meant to highlight Arkona's journey from a rural village to the thriving community it is today.
"Sunday, starting at 9 a.m., going to about noon, we have the firemen doing the breakfast at the fire hall in Arkona," Rombouts said. "Our community members will also be having a bit of a celebration or decoration day at the cemetery to remember the people who have passed in Arkona. Of course, it's important to note that admittance is free for these activities, so we want to make sure that it's a fun, free family event for everyone."
