Enjoy food, games, music and tradition in Salem from August 23-25
SALEM – After months of planning, the Salem Old Settlers returns this weekend, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 23-25, with many beloved traditions.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Friday night with a drive-thru, ham and beans dinner and Joe’s Old Fashioned Fun Carnival. Those who want to start the weekend with a little competition can sign up for the bag tournament outside the library at 5:30 p.m. Teams pay $20 for play, which begins at 6 p.m. The first night ends with the first of three free music concerts of the weekend. Lee-Henry Road plays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Maverick Foss (left) and Macksen Foss (right) ride with their grandfather “Mumbles” Foss on one of the rides at the 2023 Salem Old Settlers on Saturday, August 26. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
There will be plenty of activity on the streets of Salem on Saturday from 6am to midnight. A pancake breakfast at the fire station, a fun run/walk and a kids’ game make for a fun-filled morning for Old Settlers participants.
The parade with the motto “Let’s RAWR in 2024” begins at 10:30 a.m.
The Mitchell Boys and their Bees will participate in the 2023 Salem Old Settlers Parade on Saturday, August 26. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Because the Old Settlers’ traditions date back over 141 years, people age 65 and older are asked to register on the north side of the park between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to commemorate their participation.
Mary Savage (in green) helped participants ages 65 and older register and receive their OId Settler wristbands at the 2022 event. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
This year’s children’s games, including bean bag races, three-legged races, hula hoops and giant bubbles, will have a more relaxed approach and fewer set times.
Willow Cornelious, center, of Olds, blows a giant bubble during one of the Salem Old Settlers’ children’s activities last year. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
“Our giant bubbles and hula hoops are available for an hour for all ages, even children under 2,” said Hollie Moothart, organizer of the children’s games. “Please take turns, respect the objects and put things back where they were when you’re finished!”
The three legged run gives children the opportunity to explore how they can participate in this type of activity and offers plenty of opportunities and support. The bean bag run is divided by age but will be run as age groups are available.
However, due to last year’s popularity and to encourage safe play, the following structured, age-specific times will continue to be offered in the wooden box:
11am 11-12 year olds
11:10 a.m. 9-10 year olds
11:20 a.m. 7-8 year olds
11:30 a.m. 5-6 year olds
11:40 a.m. 2-4 year olds
The rest of Saturday is filled with the fair (from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), a horseshoe tournament at 11:30 a.m., a silent auction all afternoon in the library, and a pedal parade at 1 p.m., followed by water fights by the fire department.
To round off the evening, a chicken barbecue dinner will be served at the Shelter House before Stumptown plays from 6pm to 9pm and there is a street dance with DJ Jordan from 9pm to midnight.
For those who still have the energy to get up on Sunday morning, Friends’ Church hosts a community service in the park at 10 a.m., followed by a potluck in the fellowship hall.
Although it’s not time to celebrate Old Settlers yet, those who want to participate can prepare by purchasing early carnival tickets at Kramer’s by 4:30 p.m. Friday and receive $5 off a sheet of 24 tickets. Rides range in price from two to five tickets each. In addition to the discount, purchasing early helps the Old Settlers committee fund the carnival.
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