LITCHFIELD–A tradition since 1931 and it continues this year in Litchfield with the annual Old Settlers Picnic! The Litchfield Community Club spearheads the weekend and President Andrew Reynolds says he wants to keep the event going for future generations.
“I grew up here in Litchfield. I was born and raised here and it’s just always been a weekend that I always I looked forward to growing up and I just wanted to kind of keep it going to give the other generations of kids something to look forward to as well. I’ve got a two-year-old son and a one-month-old daughter that I want them to have a weekend like that to look forward to,” Reynolds told KCNI/KBBN.
Reynolds has helped organize the Old Settlers Picnic for about the last five years. He enjoys every part of the weekend but told KCNI/KBBN the Saturday night Smokin’ on Main and Beer Garden is a big event and fun way to get people together. Seven teams will compete this year cooking meat and sides. The food will be judged and then served to the public.
The theme of the 2021 Old Settlers Picnic is “Celebrating Heroes.” Reynolds said this is in response to COVID-19 and wants to show appreciation for the people who kept working for their communities.
“Well you know, coming out of the pandemic—the people that really got this country through it are the people who were out on the front lines and you know, your first responders with the care. And the farmers—they couldn’t take a day off because the world was shut down, they still had to do their work. And the teachers. Teachers don’t get enough credit for what they had to put up with, with the remote learning and everything,” Reynolds said.
Friday, July 9
Vendor Show, Dessert Contest, Fireman’s BBQ 5-7:30 p.m., Ice Cream Social & Bake Sale 6-7 p.m., Variety Show at 7 p.m., Coed Slow pitch Softball League, Beer Garden with “3 Guys Polka” Band, Fireworks at 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 10
Splash Dash Fun Run, Old Settlers Picnic Parade “Celebrating Heroes” at 10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Afternoon fun at the park 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Tractor Pedal Run, Kids Games & Relays, Horseshoe Tournament, Turtle Races, Inflatable Water Slides & Jousting, Inflatable Arcade Basketball, Pluck a Duck, Kids Crafts, Face Painting
Smokin’ on Main and Beer Garden 6-8:30 p.m.
Street Dance featuring “Jessy Karr Band” and “3 Guys Polka” 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday, July 11
Church in the park at 10 a.m., Sand Volleyball Tournament 9 a.m., Dads, Lads, and Lassies Trap Shoot at 1:30 p.m.
