LAHARPE After a seven-year hiatus, LaHarpe residents are ready to celebrate once again.
LaHarpe Day, an annual celebration last held in 2012, will return with a slew of activities all day Saturday.
The festival was targeted by locals as something theyd like to see return, and was one of the centerpieces in a successful IOBY (In Our Back Yard) fundraiser.
Putting the plans together is a small group of volunteers, led by Marcia Davis, new community engagement coordinator at Thrive Allen County. One of Daviss responsibilities is continuing to work with LaHarpe residents as part of a three-year grant funded by the Health Forward Foundation.
Im very happy to be involved, and to help bring this back to the community, Davis said. It should be a fun day.
The activities begin Saturday morning at 9:30, with a number of food booths and vendors setting up shop at the LaHarpe City Park.
From there, the parade starts from City Hall, travels east to Main Street, north to Sixth Street, then west to the park, before winding its way back east to City Hall again.
Several members of the LaHarpe Alumni Association which hosts its annual reunion dinner that day will serve as featured guests.
The balance of the activities from there will be at the park.
The inaugural LaHarpe Olympics kick off at noon, with teams competing in activities such as a zip line relay, sand volleyball, horseshoes and tug-of-war.
A number of kids games and activities begin at 1 p.m., starting with a cute baby contest.
The Allen County Animal Rescue Facility takes center stage at 2 oclock with a showcase of adoptable animals.
The celebration wraps up with a talent show, starting at 3 oclock.
Its exciting to see how everything is coming together, Davis said. Everybody is doing a great job.
