MERNA–More festive fun is in store this weekend with the annual Anselmo-Merna Foundation Banquet and Merna Heritage Days. To paraphrase Garth Brooks, Merna residents are saying “Blame it all on our roots” as they prepare for the traditional games, food, parade, and fireworks that only Merna can provide.
The weekend starts with the 8th annual Anselmo-Merna (A-M) Foundation Banquet on Friday, July 1 at the One Box Convention Center in Broken Bow. The evening will include social hour at 5:30 p.m., a prime rib dinner at 6 p.m., live auction at 7:30 p.m., and a DJ/dance at 8:30 p.m.
Banquet organizer Brandon Miller says the event is not just for A-M alumni, but the entire community.
“We encourage everyone who wants to attend to attend because it is a fun night and it definitely supports a good cause,” Miller told KCNI/KBBN.
Miller continued by saying, “The A-M Foundation–the reason is was established was to enhance the educational opportunities and services for the students, the staff, the faculty, and the residents of Anselmo-Merna Public Schools and obviously that mission would not be possible without the generous support and the donations from the entire community. Not just from Anselmo and Merna but all of Custer County and beyond.”
Regarding the Merna Heritage Days theme for this year (Blame It All On Our Roots), Miller said it is important to consider the footprint that A-M students leave on the world.
“Their roots are established and nurtured through the A-M school system, but they branch out all over the U.S. and beyond,” Miller said. A-M students help communities thrive by serving in the military or through the myriad of business and services they provide.
Since the A-M Foundation was established in 2015, Miller said it has raised more than $200,000 for the school system to be used for scholarships, student grants, and school or staff grants.
Friday, July 1
5:30 p.m. A-M Foundation Banquet at One Box Convention Center in Broken Bow. Visit www.a-mfoundation.com or Brandon Miller at 308-870-1518 for more information. $45 tickets for the whole evening or $10 for live auction and dance.
Saturday, July 2
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Free Pancake Feed (A-M School)
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Concessions by the Secret Garden, Craft Vendors, and Street Fair (Downtown Main Street)
9 a.m. Parade Registration and Lineup (A-M School Parking Lot NE Entrance)
10 a.m. Parade on Main Street “Blame It All On Our Roots”
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch (Community Center)
11 a.m. Pedal Tractor Pull (Downtown Main Street)
11 a.m. Basketball Skills Challenge (Downtown)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Face Painting (Downtown)
12 p.m. Cornhole Tournament (Downtown)
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Obstacle Course, Water Activities, Axe Throwing (Downtown) Putt Putt Golf and Kick Ball Pool (Library Yard)
1:30 p.m. Kids Races/Games (Library Yard)
1:30 p.m. Bingo (Community Center)
2 p.m. Bunny Bingo (Downtown)
3 p.m. Ping Pong Drop (Downtown)
5:30 p.m. Alumni BBQ (City Park)
8 p.m. Firemen’s Watermelon Feed (Ball Field)
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Firemen’s Street Dance (Downtown)
10 p.m. Firemen’s Fireworks (Ball Field)
