Beach Centennial Just Around The Corner

Beach Centennial Planning committee members are busy finalizing details for the celebration of the 100th year of the Incorporation of the City of Beach, July 29th through August 2nd.

One of the event planners, Kim Nunberg says the five day event will have something for everyone. Activities begin with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 29th in Gazebo Park at the corner of Central Avenue and Main Street. The Dickinson Elks Sod Buster Band will entertain with old-time music at Gazebo Park beginning at 5:00 PM, followed by a picnic of hot dogs and a Coke for 10 cents. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM with Mayor Walt Losinski as Master of Ceremonies.

Event planners set a family registration fee of $25 which will allow access to the Friday night Beach Party concert, Saturday lunch, as well as wrist bands for their children’s entrance to the inflatable games, swimming pool, whiffle ball game and air rifle contest. Those not registered can purchase a wrist band for their children for $10 each or pay as they go. All concerts will be located at the Golden Valley County Fairgrounds. Children’s inflatable games will be located at Gazebo Park, as will the vendors. Food and beverage vendors will also be located at the fair grounds during the concerts. Interested vendors can contact Bobbi Hildebrant at 701-872-4369 for more information.

All-School Reunion registration will be open beginning at noon on Wednesday, July 29th, and each day thereafter from 8:00 to 5:00 at located at Lincoln Elementary’s east entrance. Those pre-registered will be able to pick up their Centennial and reunion information, name tags and children’s wrist bands at the registration table.

Other activities include a golf tournament each day Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 7:00 AM; free-will breakfasts Thursday through Sunday; and kid’s activities Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday, July 30th activities include a kids whiffle ball game, free-will BBQ chicken dinner at Golden Valley Manor and the Johnny Holm concert.

According to Nunberg, Friday, July 31st is the day set aside for class reunion gatherings. Class reunion schedules will be available at the registration table for classes that provide information to Judy Ridenhower. Other activities on Friday are the American Legion Alumni Baseball game on Friday afternoon, car show, Daae Family Christian Concert, ZZ Not, tribute band for ZZ Top. Due to the class reunion get-togethers, the concert will begin at 9:00 PM. All other evening concerts begin at 8:00 PM.

Saturday, Aug. 1st will be a full day beginning with the half marathon or 5K/10K walk/run. The parade will begin at 11:00 AM with the theme “Celebrating A Century”, followed by a picnic lunch and Centennial Coin Auction. To register a float for the parade, contact City Hall at 701-872-4103.

Also on Saturday, a demolition derby sponsored by the fair board, will be held at the Golden Valley County Fairgrounds, at 1:30 PM. For more information regarding the derby contact Bob Schmeling, Fair Board President at 701-872-4671.

The Saturday night concert will feature KingBilly. The Nashville based, six member band mixes their bluegrass and country roots with pop rock sounds to create music that is uniquely KingBilly. Beach will be familiar to the band as they were the back up band for last year’s Spirit of the West artist, Sarah Buxton. A fireworks display will follow the concert at 10:00 PM.

Sunday, August 2nd will round out the event with an Ecumenical “Cowboy Church” Service with Don Funke, Bozeman, MT at 10:00 AM, the Home On The Range Champions Match Ride Rodeo at 1:00 PM and the 100th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 5:00 PM.

A U.S. Postal pictorial commemorative stamp cancellation will be held on the official date of Incorporation on October 29th at City Hall. Postcards and other items will be available to purchase during the summer event. For those not living close by, items can be purchased to be held at the Community Learning & Technology Center until the cancellation date for those wishing to mail a commemorative item to their grandchildren, friends or themselves on the official date.

As with any celebration of this type, donations of any size are welcome. Anyone interested in donating to the centennial costs can contact Wosepka, CPA at 701-872-4321. Those interested in volunteering during the event can call City Hall at 701-872-4103 or email cityofbeach@midstate.net. For reunion information, contact Judy Ridenhower at 701-872-4987 or email judyridenhower@midstate.net. For more information regarding the half marathon or 5K/10K walk/run contact Co-Organizer Pastor Paul Peterson at 701-872-4302.

Many more details for each day of the celebration are available at www.beachnd.com, along with registration forms. Items will be updated as activities are added or change.