LITCHFIELD–For more than 120 years Litchfield residents continue to celebrate their community with the annual Old Settlers Picnic. Members of the Litchfield Community Club have been preparing for this weekend with some of the classic events like the Smokin on Main BBQ Competition as well as some new events too.
From ice cream to BBQ and the variety show to the parade there will be something for all ages this weekend in Litchfield and something for every appetite!
“It’s some of the best ice cream that you’ll find around. There’s nothing, in my opinion, that beats homemade vanilla ice cream,” Andrew Reyolds told KCNI/KBBN on Tuesday morning.
Friday, July 12: Dessert Contest, Fireman’s BBQ from 5-7 p.m. (freewill donation), Vendor Event, Ice Cream Social, Variety show at the Christian Church at 7 p.m., Beer Garden, and the big finale of Fireworks on Friday night at 10 p.m.!
Litchfield Principal Matt Drew encourages everyone to check out the firework show and all that the Old Settlers Picnic has to offer.
“Last year was my first year attending this and I was really impressed with the fireworks show we had on Friday night. It’s really cool show, you can stop by at 10 p.m. It’s a really tremendous show and it’s free,” Drew said.
Saturday, July 13: Parade at 10:30 a.m. with the theme of Parading through the Decades, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Dinner 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Winters Building, 3-3 basketball tournament at the gym
Following the parade, pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be served at the Litchfield Park. The Show and Shine Car, Bike, and Tractor Show, Vendor Event, Kids Games, Face Painting, Inflatable Bounce Houses, Horseshoe Tournament, and Scavenger Hunt will all be held in the afternoon on July 13.
The fun continues on Saturday evening with the Smokin on Main Street BBQ Competition from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., as well as the beer garden, and live entertainment by the Jessy Karr Band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets at the Gate for Smokin on Main Street BBQ Competition are $15 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6-11, and free for ages 5 and under.
Sunday, July 14: Church in the Park at 10 a.m. followed by donuts and coffee, Volleyball Tournament, Concessions, and at 1:30 p.m. the Dads, Lads, Lassies Trap Shoot
Many local Litchfield businesses and sponsors have stepped up to celebrate the community this weekend and will also be celebrating various activities such as a grand opening at the salon on Saturday, karaoke, wine tasting, raffles, appetizers, yard games, art shows, and much more at surrounding businesses.
“We couldn’t do it without our sponsors and our support from the community. It’s just a great thing to have that support,” Reynolds said. “This community–it’s a very fun community to be involved in. For Old Settlers we have a lot going on in three days but the turnout we get for it is just amazing. The people really come out and support it, not just the locals, we get people from surrounding communities that come in and support it too and we always try to make sure we do the same for them,” Reynolds added.
See you in Litchfield for the Old Settlers Picnic!
