Elida centennial set

After months of preparation, the town of Elida is set to mark its 100th anniversary this weekend with a variety of events.

“You can’t believe how many people have worked on this,” committee member Red Halliday said of the volunteers who prepared for the celebration.

The all-school reunion will begin at 9 a.m. today at the school, Halliday said.

“It’s an all-school reunion. We usually have it every five years, but it has been three years and they decided to hold it in conjunction with the centennial,” he said.

Festivities continue at 3 p.m. with vendor booths set up on the square. Food booths will be open at 4 p.m. with the Future Farmers of America students selling fajitas and hamburgers. A dance contest will be held at 7 p.m. followed by a country dance on the cement slab. A fireworks display will take place at dusk, said Halliday.

There will be a car and farm equipment display today and Sunday on the south side of U.S. 70 and the north side of the town square.

A cowboy church service will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday on the cement slab.

A catered barbecue brisket lunch will follow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $8 per person.

An art show will take place at Goods Feed Store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, along with the Elida Book Sale, said Halliday.

On Sunday, the day will finish with children’s games in the park, and a style show. Vendors will continue to be set up on the square, and music and food will be in the park, Halliday said.

“I feel really good having been involved and so many people have helped with it,” Halliday said.