It is time to dive into Old Settlers preparations like this youngster diving into the ball pit at the carnival during the 2023 Old Settlers.
Time to prep for Old Settlers in earnest
by Nathan Arneal
Published 6/5/24
NORTH BEND – The centennial celebration of North Bend’s Old Settlers Picnic is just two-and-a-half weeks away. It’s time to start preparing, mentally and physically.
The full schedule for the June 21-23 weekend is posted at NorthBendNE.com and will be published in next week’s Eagle.
Here are a few things that take advanced planning or registration prior to Old Settlers weekend for you to be considering the next two weeks:
A new event this year is the Glory Days Tug-of-War, a throw-back to the days of the elementary field day track meet among the country feeder schools. You can register as a five-person team from your elementary school or as an individual to be placed on a team with your fellow alumni. Registration is free and will be done on site starting 5:30 Old Settlers Saturday. Age-group divisions, including those for children of country school grads (or even the town school *eye-roll*), will also be set up. To make sure you are properly attired, you can order an authentic reproduction of your grade-school T-shirt at 36apparel.com/oldsettlers. Order by June 10 to have the shirt by Old Settlers.
Hot Dog Eating Contest: This is another new event on Friday night. Two divisions of 16-and-under and open will each draw 10 contestants to participate in the contest. The younger division is free to sign up for and consists of a 5-minute contest. The winner gets a carnival bracelet for Saturday. The open division requires a $10 registration. Multiple registrations are allowed to increase chances of being one of the 10 contestants drawn. Venmo a registration fee of $10 to @NorthBendEagle. The winner of the 10-minute open division receives a whole processed hog.
Duck Calling Contest and Outdoor Expo: This is a new-to-Old Settlers event sponsored by the Grand Passage Sportsmen Club. The expo at the city auditorium Saturday will feature vendors, games and activities for all ages. To register as a contestant in the contest or as a vendor, visit gpsportsmen.com and see the events tab.
Pitch Tournament: Returning to Old Settlers for a third year is a 13-point pitch tournament 1 p.m. Saturday at the United Presbyterian Church. Register by calling organizer Carry Gerke at 402-317-9500. Winners will receive a cash prize and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Blessings Food Pantry in North Bend.
Old Settlers Road Run: The run, with 5 kilometer and 1 mile run/walk divisions, will begin near the city pool Old Settlers Saturday morning. Registration forms can be found at various North Bend businesses, including sponsor Platte Valley Bank, and online at NorthBendNE.com.
If you’re not going to run, race organizer Matt Musiel is looking for some volunteers to help work at the event. E-mail him at mmusiel@bellevue.edu if you are willing and able.
Alumni Golf Tournament: The Old Settlers four-person scramble is sponsored by the North Bend Central Booster Club. Register by contacting Broc Blanchard at broc15@hotmail.com. The nine-hole tournament will have a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Players do not have to be NBC alumni.
Cornhole Tournament: The Old Settlers Cornhole Tournament will be Saturday afternoon.
The field will be limited to the first 32 two-person teams to register, which can be done by e-mailing NorthBendBags@gmail.com. A $725 prize pool will go to six teams.
Old Settlers Craft Fair: The fifth annual craft fair will be Saturday morning in the park featuring homemade items, gifts, decor and more. If you have a crafting side gig and would like to reserve a vendor table, contact Randi Mimick at 402-829-9686. Proceeds go to support the NBC cheer and dance teams.
Kickball tournament: Sign up your kickball team for this all-ages tournament by contacting Cheryl Wietfeld at Platte Valley Bank or Carol Emanuel at 402-720-4950. The tournament is on Old Settlers Saturday.
Old Settlers Car Show: The car show returns downtown mid-day Saturday. Shine up and show off your car or vehicle. Register the day of the show between 9 and 10:30 a.m. at the North Bend Fire Department.
Old Settlers Parade: The parade’s theme this year is “A Century of Celebration” to salute the Old Settlers centennial.
The parade route will work its way from the high school to the city park via 10th Street. Cash prizes go to the best business and organization floats. No preregistration is required. Register during staging in the NBC parking lot from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
The Kiddie Parade is at 4:30 Saturday, free to enter and no preregistration required. Kids can dress up in costume for a parade about a block long adjacent to the park on Locust St.
Fireworks: To help keep Old Settlers top notch, donation buckets have been placed at various businesses to support the Saturday night fireworks show.
One event that will not be held this year is the Pride of the Platte Photo Display, which has been an Old Settlers staple since 2012.
This has been just a partial listing of Old Settlers events focusing on events that take prior preparation. See NorthBendNE.com for the complete schedule of activities and further information.
Read the full story in the print or e-edition.
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