Lenox 150th celebration kicked off Thursday

Lenox will celebrate its 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration June 30 through July 3. The committee has been planning for months and came up with a busy schedule for the weekend.

The Depot Welcome Center will be open all weekend. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be historic displays set up, Shining Hospitality Christmas displays, Sesquicentennial Quilt raffle tickets, new history book “Proud Heritage” by Pat Stream, new Free Lenox magazine, and memorabilia on sale.

The celebration kicked off Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. in Highland Park. The Lenox American Legion had a flag raising followed by a welcome by Steve John, and the blessing by Tim Maxa. Dave Baker, creator of the Facebook page “The 29th State”, had a history presentation “Proud Heritage, Bright Future”. There was be a time capsule presentation followed by Rockin’ Country Jam Band. The movie “The Crazies”, filmed in Lenox, was shown on the slab in the park. Kids swam in the pool during the movie.

A quilt show will be on display at the Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Precision Pulley is sponsoring a Bags Tourney at 11 a.m. Tours of school are available at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Free bowling is available from 1-5 p.m. at Tiger Lanes and a Cribbage tournament will run from 1-3 p.m. at Vintage Park.

There will be a history discussion at the Community center from 2-4 p.m. A Conservation Trailer will be on Main Street from 4-8 p.m. This is a mobile learning center that educates audiences of all ages on different conservation aspects that delve into the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife.

The Yesteryears Parade will start at 6 p.m. on Main Street. A unique float participating in the parade is the Iwo Jima float, a replica of that famous photo taken at Iwo Jima. The Legion will lead the parade, followed by the Iwo Jima and floats with veterans from different wars. The Rotary Club will be selling homemade ice cream from 5-8 p.m. The evening concludes with a street dance and beer tent in front of City Hall from 8 p.m. to Midnight. The band is Hold On featuring Rick Holmes, a 1976 Lenox graduate.

Marti Cordell and Your Life Fitness will kick off Saturday morning’s activities with a 5K Run or Walk. Meet at the Depot Welcome Center at 7 a.m. Paid registrations will receive a free commemorative blanket.A past and present farm and auto show-off will be held south of the fire station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Dan Carruthers at 641-344-4265 or Ryan Brown at 712-370-3931 for more information.

The Leading Ladies of Lenox will sponsor a Pickle Ball Tourney on the newly renovated tennis courts east of the rodeo grounds starting at 9 a.m. Vendors will set up in the Main Street Pocket Parks for a market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.The Methodist Church will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a quilt show. The Legion Auxiliary will sponsor bingo at the Methodist Church from 1-3 p.m.

Country Roads Baptist Church will have vintage kids games in the park from 1-3 p.m. Bring the kids and enjoy sack races, 3-legged races, roll the hoop, cat and mouse, water balloon toss, standing broad jump, upset the fruit basket, tunnel tag, balance ball relay and Ninja games. The Tiger Den is providing free ice cream tokens for participants. AgriVision Equipment Group is holding a pedal pull at the same.Tiger Lanes will offer free bowling from 3-7 p.m.The Alumni Supper will be held at the Community Center at 4:30 p.m. Blacktop Band will play in Main Street in front of city hall for the street dance and beer tent from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Top Notch Fireworks will have fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.The last day of the event, Sunday, July 3, starts with a community breakfast by Michael Foods from 7-9 p.m. at the Community CenterThe Sesquicentennial quilt raffle will be done at 9:30 a.m. followed by community church services at the Methodist Church at 10 a.m.

An alumni golf tournament tees off at 10 a.m. at the golf course. Free swimming is available at the Lenox Pool from 1-8 p.m.Throughout the weekend, food trucks and vendors will be available along with great food from local businesses.