MARENGO – The city of Marengo has come a long way from its birth as a township in the early 1800s and on Saturday, residents came out
to celebrate the founding of their hometown during the 2012 Settlers’ Days.
The festivities began Thursday with pumpkin decorating and the crowning of the Prince and Princess of Settlers’ Days.
Skinner’s Carnival, which runs through today, and the pumpkin decorating contest filled the evening hours along with bingo at the Marengo Firehouse.
Friday brought a bounty of events starting in the early morning hours with a 5K walk/run.
And Saturday, the Marengo Women’s Club Arts and Crafts fair was bustling at the high school. Items such as handcrafted jewelry, quilts and sand art were on display to buy.
Cindy Fillmore was perusing the handmade items with her daughter, Alyssa. They already had purchases tucked way for safekeeping.
“There are a lot of nice things to see,” Alyssa Fillmore said. “It’s also good mother-daughter time for us.”
The Marengo residents said they planned to attend the Saturday Night on Main Street event, which features food and music.
Alyssa Fillmore said she looked forward to watching the Modern Day Romeos perform.
“It’s a big old party down there and you see everyone come out,” Cindy Fillmore said of Saturday Night on Main Street. “We live really close to Main Street so we just walk on over.”
New to Marengo, Amanda Miller and Scott Stack were out for the first time since their move from Michigan last week.
“Our realtor told us about Settlers’ Days,” Miller said. “Scott is planning on taking the kids to the parade tomorrow.”
Their son, Oliver Stack, ran around the arts and crafts show enamored by all of the items he could touch while their daughter, Adeline, slept soundly in her stroller.
After hearing word of a petting zoo, Miller said she may take Oliver over to get his hands on the cuddly bunch.
Festivities continue today with the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Settlers’ Day Parade and Band Field Show Competition.
Cody’s Farm remains open until 6 p.m., offering a corn maze, barrel rides, pumpkin launcher and hayrides.
Settlers’ Days culminates Monday with scarecrow decorating at Hubbs Green House and activities at Cody’s Farm.
