Sheldon celebrates its 100th Old Settler's Picnic

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

The whole community's involved, and has put extra effort into making sure the 100th annual Old Settler's Picnic in Sheldon will be a celebration that will be remembered for years to come.

"Some say it'll be our last one. It won't. Of course, it'll be hard to top this one," said Kerry Fowler, who, along with Robyn Fowler is co-president of this year's event.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. We'll have 15 events going on in eight hours' time, and there's just going to be a lot to do." he said.

More than 60 community members joined together as part of 30 committees to organize the event, which will feature everything from old favorites like the Saturday morning baby contest to brand new events like a fashion show that highlights clothing from each decade for the past 100 years, Thursday evening at 7:30.

"There'll be a flapper, Rosie the Riveter, regular folks from through the years. Elvis might even show up," Fowler said.

Thursday, there'll also be plenty of food on hand, with a watermelon feed set for 3 o'clock. Thursday's events also include opening ceremonies at 6 p.m., introduction of the royalty candidates at 6:30 and a carnival.

"We've got a really good carnival this year. It's all set up and ready to go," Fowler said in an interview Tuesday.

Events begin bright and early on Friday, with a Lions Club breakfast at 7 o'clock. "Later, we're going to thrash and bale oats. One of the local folks grew some oats, so we're going to do that," Fowler said.

In the evening, several events are planned.

Old Settler's Picnic started out as a barbecue in 1904, so committee members felt a barbecue would be in order -- and it'll be catered by Count On Us starting at 5 o'clock Friday evening. A classic car cruise-in, pet show, talent show and fiddle contest, horse pulling contest and street dance are also in the evening's lineup.

On Saturday, it all starts again with breakfast at 7 o'clock, a softball tournament, a baby show, kids rances and games, and other events. At 12:30 p.m., the annual pedal tractor pull begins. "That's always really popular. It's for kids 5 to 12 years old. It always brings in a good crowd," Fowler said. Horseshoe pitching will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, and will be in honor of Jack Brown, a horseshoe aficianado who died earlier this year.

Fowler said that following a day chock-full of exhibits and games, "we're going to finish up with fireworks and the street dance." Fireworks are scheduled for midnight on Saturday.

"It'll be a good time. There'll be a lot to see, and a lot to do," Fowler said.

For more details on times and events, please see the schedule of events on page 9 of today's Nevada Daily Mail.