Humboldt to celebrate 150th in grand style

One hundred and fifty years and still growing is the theme for Humboldt’s Sesquicentennial celebration, planned for this summer, July 4-7. A Sesquicentennial committee has been meeting regularly since February, planning some of the activities and events. The activities include an opening ceremony in Nokomis Park on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Mayor Walter Jensen will deliver comments and welcome citizens and visitors to the land once known as Springvale, founded by the Rev. Stephen H. Taft, some 150 years ago. Among the planned activities are harness races on both Thursday and Saturday afternoons. The 4th of July Parade at 7 p.m. July 4th, a 5K walk/run at 9 a.m. that morning. A cemetery walk at Union Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 5. A Humboldt Idol singing contest, car and bike cruise and kids games starting at 5 p.m. on Friday. Saturday events will include the farmer's market and tractor drive-in Saturday morning, tours of the town and the Humboldt High School and Middle School, kids inflatables and Humboldt Fire Department water fights, a community concert at the high school gym at 7 p.m., free swimming and an outdoor movie at the Humboldt Family Aquatic Center beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday will include ecumenical worship with the Cowboy Church beginning at 11 a.m., followed by food and entertainment. There will be a beard judging contest at 12:30 p.m., and a photo exhibit at the Humboldt Arts Center from noon to 4 p.m. The day will conclude with a barbecue contest at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds as well as displays and a barnyard olympics at the fairgrounds in the afternoon. See the complete list of activities and times in this week's Humboldt Independent.