By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
NESS CITY — Ness County will be buzzing with excitement this week as the Ness County Old Settlers Reunion returns to Ness City.
Old Settlers Reunion 2015 gets underway Wednesday night with a pair of musical acts starting at 6 p.m. on the main stage and the carnival opens at 7 p.m. and will be open all week.
This year’s reunion marks the 135th anniversary of the first reunion held in 1901. The event has taken place every five years except for 1945 due to World War II.
Treasurer Tracee Schwien said in past years between 4,000 and 5,000 people have attended the event, almost tripling Ness City’s population for three days.
“There’s just something for everybody,” Schwien said.
The event will get underway with the Call to Order by this year’s Old Settlers Board President Brent Kerr. The parade will follow. People will bring their antique cars and tractors through the parade and then they will line up downtown for the antique car and tractor show.
At 11 a.m., there will be a hot dog feed sponsored by Farm Bureau. Schwien said that will kick off a busy three-day event that offers something for everyone.
There will be face painting, horse drawn carriage rides and kids games at 1 p.m. Thursday. Thursday evening there will be three music acts with Flat Spin at 7 p.m. and Ricky Fugitt at 9 p.m.
Friday starts with the Fun Run sponsored by USD 303 Recreation at 7 a.m. with more kids games Friday afternoon and the carnival at 1 p.m. Friday nights entertainment includes Paramount at 9:30 p.m.
The Ness County Fire District will host a freewill donation breakfast Saturday at 6 a.m.
Schwien said the department is in the process of buying new equipment and the money raised will benefit the district.
Saturday’s events will also include the golf tournament, 3-on-3 basketball and go-kart races.
Renowned Red Dirt County artist Jason Boland and the Stragglers will headline Saturday night’s musical entertainment.
You can find a complete schedule of events at http://nesscountyoldsettlers.com/Schedule.