March 29, 2024

Column: Celebrating Old Settlers

Editor’s note: This column originally published Aug. 9, 2016.

Another Old Settlers has come and gone and I think, at least if you ask my kids, it was a good one.

Preparing for Old Settlers started a couple of weeks before hand by thinking up a cute kid’s parade outfit. The theme this year was Light Up the Night which caused my mom and I to work a little harder figuring out what the girls could do.

My mom took the lead on the project and was initially going to dress them up as stars. After shopping for a while, she had the great idea for the girls to be lightening bugs, or fireflies, depending on your preference.

She put together a great costume with beautiful wings, fun antennas and even a light up bulb to drive the theme home. The girls paraded through the streets and even received a prize for their efforts.

Like most kids, the most important part of the weekend was the rides. This year the girls could choose from several inflatable bounce houses and slides and a few mechanical selections.

We went on a few rides before heading over to watch the greased pig contest. I had no idea what was going to happen with the pigs and although I am a great lover of pork, hearing the little pigs squeal as they were getting captured and placed in the center was not my favorite.

The girls, on the other hand, thought the event was very exciting and even took their chances with the pigs. I can’t say I was very disappointed when the closest they got to capturing the pigs was placing their hands on their backs and giggling as the pigs ran around.

We capped the night by watching the last of the water fights with the fire department before heading home to get some sleep before a big Saturday.

I woke up bright and early to help with the annual MAMM race that my friend is in charge of before getting the girls ready for their own races. My youngest took first place in her “heat” of three and under girls while my oldest ran her fastest and came in the middle of the pack.

The money toss by the American Legion followed where the girls searched through saw dust to find and collect coins. They did a good job finding “all of the money” and were happy with the large amount of big quarters in their pile.

The last event before lunch was the frog jumping contest. My husband gathered 10 or so frogs from my parent’s pond and a couple were selected to compete to be the fastest frog across the line.

After a little squealing, the girls each took their frogs and headed to the center circle. My youngest had been holding her frog pretty tight so when the time came for him to take off, he just sat, unwilling to move.

She did not think it was very entertaining and after a few tears motivated him to move. My oldests frog did much better taking off right away, and although she didn’t place, she did a great job getting it to go.

The afternoon had the girls dancing with their dance studio and, of course, riding a few rides. We got a little rest and dinner in at home before going to the parade that evening.

I have to say, the parade was pretty impressive this year, especially the amount of candy my girls collected. We now have a large bag of candy to go along with our overflowing bucket of candy still left over from the Fourth of July.

Surprise, surprise we spent the evening at the rides. My husband and I tricked my nephew and his girlfriend into taking the girls for a while and I got to get a few rounds of bingo in.

The girls loved the rides and watching them giggle while they ride the big boat and fly around on the swings definitely make it all worth it.

The girls ended the night by watching the fireworks display with my parents in their convertible. According to them it was amazing, which is kind of how a feel about the weekend.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com