Coleridge getting set for Q125

COLERIDGE — The final planning stages for the Coleridge Q125 celebration are underway here, and the town is sprucing up in preparation.
The Q125 Committee, headed up by Co-Chairpersons Jacie Burbach and Sally Schroeder, has been working for nearly two years to put together a birthday celebration for the community that will long be remembered. The big event is set for July 4-6.

A recent Letter to the Editor in the Coleridge Blade put forth a challenge to residents of the community to try to do what they could to improve their neighborhood in preparation for the big weekend.
Coleridge residents have jumped in with both feet to help make the homecoming for those who have moved away something special. A quick look around the tiny village will be met with freshly painted houses, newly flags, patriotic decorations and much, much more.
Friday, the first day of the big event, will be packed with fun, food, and contests. Kicking the weekend off on Friday morning will be a Fun Run/Walk around the patriotic community. There will be a Kiddie Carnival in the park with inflatable activities for all ages. a non-sanctioned Kiddie Tractor Pull and Kiddie Parade and Pet Costume Contest. Security National Bank will also be sponsoring a barbeque in the park that evening and Lonnie’s Bar and Grill will be sponsoring blindfolded lawn mower races, as well.
For those gentlemen in the community who have been growing out their beards for the celebration, there will be a beard contest. There will also be a Q125 Costume Contest held for those who choose to dress in Centennial-Era clothing.
The Q125 Grand Ambassador Awards will also be announced Friday. This will honor a resident of Coleridge chosen based upon nomination letters submitted by the public.
Special features for Friday are the Abu Bekr White Horse Patrol, which will give a performance on the baseball field beginning at 6 p.m., and a free family drive-in movie, also to be held on the baseball field beginning at dusk.

Saturday has more fun in store, with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, an open house at the school, a quilt show, a car show, ice cream social, watermelon feed, and All-School reunion supper scheduled. Also on Saturday, there will be Coleridge memorabilia on display at the school.
The highlight of the afternoon will be the Q125 Grand Celebration Parade, to start at 1:30 p.m.

It will run from the corner of Portland and Broadway Streets (near Hefner Oil and Feed), and will run up Broadway and north on to Madison Street (past Park View Haven). There are several entrants planning to attend and room for more if anyone wants to sign up. For those who still wish to enter the Grand Parade, please contact Franklin Hefner at 283-4721.
Other special feature events scheduled for Saturday include the Farmall Promenade to be held in the City Park beginning at 4 p.m. and a street dance beginning at 8 p.m., featuring “The Rumbles.” At dusk, there will also be a celebration fireworks display from the park.
Sunday will wrap up the celebration with a pancake feed at the Coleridge Community Building being hosted by the Bulldog Football team.
While the celebration is going on, there will also be chances to tour historic sites around Coleridge, see landmarks around the area, and view barn quilts. And the Q125 Headquarters will be open to visit. The headquarters will be located in the former Holmquist Building (next to Hefner Oil).
There are several Coleridge Q125 Celebration souvenirs available for sale, which include one-of-a-kind Coleridgeopoly Board Games; Authentic #35 Red Wing Crocks with the Q125 Logo engraved on them; and Glass-Etched Ornaments. There will also be Q125 shirts available.
The Coleridge Blade is also publishing a special Q125 edition, which will also be available for sale at the event.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering their help with events that weekend is encouraged to contact one of the Chairpersons.
People are also encouraged to contact one of them with any  questions regarding any event or for more information.