In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims, early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest, an event many regard as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. Historians have also recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America, including British colonists in Virginia in 1619. The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as the event became a national holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.
The 2011 Popcorn Day celebration, “Standing Together, Standing Strong” is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. Activities will run all day. They will include a flea market, a two-mile popcorn run starting at 8, children’s games and activities, a kid’s and pet parade starting at noon, the grand parade at 1 p.m. and a variety show at 3. The alumni banquet and teen street dance will wrap up the festivities.
The Hamburg High School Music Boosters will host the Music Carnival Saturday, March 5 at the high school.
Video>>> Highlights from the Hamburg, Iowa Popcorn Day celebration 2010.
Film director Kyle Komline expects to complete the Hamburg-based footage for his movie by the city’s annual popcorn days festival this weekend.
Komline, 23, has been shooting scenes for the feature film since August. The action adventure, sci-fi, mystery and documentary hybrid is expected to be submitted to major film festivals.
As of Monday morning evening, there were three Fremont County entries for fair queen.
Megan Lightfoot of Shenandoah, who attended school at Farragut, Lindsey Holt of Sidney and Chelsey Anderson of Randolph.
Nebraska City, home of Arbor Day, continues its tradition of celebrating the holiday with tree plantings, community events, parade, and fun for the whole family.
A beautiful day was enjoyed for the Unadilla Groundhog celebration Saturday.
The Avoca Quack Off celebrated its 25th season Saturday and set a new record for the number of ducks raced.
