Sesquicentennial Mega-Festival Schedule
July 24 – 26, 2015
Friday, July 24
| 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Beer Garden | Thomson Legion |
| 7:30 P.M | Sesquicentennial Pageant “Thomson’s Town” – Thomson Gym | Lewis Frosch & 150th choir |
| 7:30 P.M | Intermission: Auction of the 2nd Thomson Quilters Name Quilt | Frank Tipton, auctioneer |
| 5:00 | Ballgames – Main and South – Ball Diamonds | Jeff LaShelle |
| 6-10 pm | Carnival – North American Midway Food vendors and 10 rides |
Curley Park |
| 8:30- til 11 PM | DJ-Tom Hoch | Beer Garden |
Saturday, July 25
| 8:00 a.m.-9:00 pm | Ball Games-Ball Diamond | Jeff LaShelle |
| 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Craft Show | Gym-Teresa Duggan |
| 11 am – 11 pm | Beer Garden | American Legion |
| 11:00 a.m. | Parade registration-1111 W. Main | Val DeSpain, Angie and Joe Taylor; Kay Lawton, Supervisor |
| 12 noon | Thomson Sesquicentennial Parade (W.Main-West-North-Market to Curley Park) LIVE BROADCAST |
WCCI RADIO 100.3 F.M. |
| 12:00 | Mid America Rides Carnival starts | Curley Park |
| 1 p.m. | Car Show | The Station-Donna Opheim |
| 1-2 p.m. | Complimentary Lions Club Reception | Beer Garden-Lawrence Bruckner |
| 1:00 PM | Crowning of Master and Miss Sesquicentennial | Stage-Curley Park-Barb Kness |
| 1-5 p.m. | Paula’s Animal Exhibition | Curley Park |
| 1-5 p.m. | 3RD IOWA ARTILLERY-LIVE CANNON | Curley Park |
| 1-3 p.m. | Clown-Balloon animals-Eric Bernstein | Near Stage Curley Park |
| 1:30 P.M. | Walt Whitman speaks! IL Humanities Council | Stage-Curley Park |
| 2:30 P.M.-4:00 | US Grant & Abraham Lincoln speak about the Civil War | Stage Curley Park |
| 3:00 P.M. | Cake Walk – York Community Mission Group | Near Stage |
| 3:00 P.M. | Pedal pushers tractor tournament-behind school | Marv Green/Gary Prins |
| 3-5 P.M. | Max and Bette Meakins Memorial 2 day Euchre Tournament | TMC Shelter – Lewis Frosch- 990-8002/Shelly Falls |
| 4:00 P.M. | Women’s Alumni Softball tournament | Ball diamond- Don Mathey |
| 7:00 p.m. | Men’s Alumni Softball tournament/MELON TOSSERS Tribute | Jerry Biederman |
| 9:00-12 midnight | Music – “Two Mile Crew” | Beer Tent |
Sunday, July 26
| 9:00 a.m. | Ball Game | Jeff LaShelle |
| 10:00 a.m. | Community Church Service Sermon by “Abe Lincoln” |
Entertainment tent Grounds |
| 11:30 a.m. | Potluck | Methodist Church shelter |
| 12-11pm | Beer Garden | American Legion |
| 12-6 p.m. | Carnival starts | Curley Park |
| 1:00 -4:00 | Cemetery Walk-Rockford Colony New England Women | Lower and Upper York Cemetery |
| 1:00 -4:00 | Historical readings at cemeteries – Refreshments at churches | Luanne Bruckner & Gwen Smith |
| 1-5 p.m. | Gospel Sing: 1:00 – Grant Stiles et al 2:00 – TRINITY MEN-LARRY ST. ORES 3:00-4:30 – UKELELE GROUP-MORRISON |
Stage-Grant Stiles |
| 2:00 -3:00 | KIDS GAMES | East Curley Park-Ashley Leu |
| 3-4PM | MAGICIAN | STAGE |
| 3-5 P.M. | 2-Day Euchre Tournament Presentation of prizes |
METHODIST SHELTER BUILDING |
| 5:30-8:30 | BAR-B-QUE BASH | DAVE’S BAR-B-QUE |
| 6:30 P.M. | Community picnic on melon grounds | Beer Tent |
| 7-9 P.M. | Open Mic | Beer Tent/ Grant Stiles et al |
| 9:30 P.M. | Fireworks | Curley Park |
| 9:00 p.m.-11 p.m. | “Quicksilver” | Beer Garden |
Share Your Thomson Memories
A history/memory book is being compiled and contributions are being sought from residents, former residents, alumni or just people who have memories of their home town.
The committee is looking for photos, anecdotes and personal recollections of Thomson over the years: high school dances, unforgettable characters, movies on the Potter Brothers Lumber Yard building, ball teams, favorite teachers, taking the train or bus to Clinton, remembrances of Thomson.
Local author Tom Hoch is editing the history book and the book committee is asking for submittals of memories up to 500 words or ideas for stories for inclusion. Sesquicentennial Committee members are willing to assist with transcribing memories for the collection.
Anyone wanting to share written memories is asked to contact Luanne Bruckner, 1110 Locust St., Thomson, Ill., 61285, , or Jan Bristol, 16605 Loran Rd., Mount Carroll, Ill., 61053 .
Thomson Sesquicentennial Calendar
Dates Are Subject To Change
January:
- Trivia Night held at Heirloom Market January 17th. Happy Hour followed by Trivia competition. We’ll be rolling out the Thomson Sesquicentennial Logo and the special vintage watermelon wine from Massbach Wineries – melons provided by Bim and Debbie McGinnis. Be there for the fun! Contact and more info to follow on Thomson website coming soon.
- Sesquicentennial Logo Presentation
February:
- February 21, 2015. Antiques Roadshow-type appraisals and auction of Thomson antiques and collectibles. Tipton’s Auction House. Details to follow as the develop.
March:
- /Agricultural Month. Tribute to Agriculture, March 14 2015 in Thomson High School (so far, approved by West Carroll School Board).* John Deere Blacksmithing demo, exhibits, farm groups and FFA and 4-H participation. Emphasis on past, present and future of agriculture.
April:
- Church Month
- April 3, 2015 – Community Easter Cantata on Good Friday held at Thomson Methodist Church. All voices welcome. Practice will begin in February. Stay tuned for details.
- Thomson Community Soup Supper – April 18th, 2015 – 4:30 – 7:00pm, Thomson Fire Station. Chili, chicken noodle soup, homemade desserts. Board games, cards, visiting. In appreciation of residents and in honor of Thomson’s 150th anniversary.
May:
- May 23, 2015: Alumni – 150th Anniversary Prom held at Thomson High School* Ladies are encouraged to wear old prom dresses or period dresses. We’ll be looking for volunteers to help with decorating – LIVE BAND!!!If you haven’t attended alumni for a while, be sure to put this one on the calendar – a very special alumni for all.
June:
- June 14, 2015 – Sesquicentennial Golf Tournament: two-person, best ball. 9a – noon. $30/person for cart and 9 holes at Sandburr Run. Contact Sandburr Run for details.
- June 20, 2015 – Thomson Depot Days: Outhouse Races, Historical Exhibits; Barbershop Choir, Brass Quintet, Art in the Park.
- Railroad Movie
- Village Garage Sale; Outhouse races, Barbershop Choir, Art in the Park.
July:
- July 24-26, 2015. SESQUICENTENNIAL FESTIVAL. Carnival, Beer Garden, Parade, Women’s and Men’s Softball Tribute Ballgames, Historical Pageant, Car Show. FIREWORKS!!
- Parade
- Pageant
- Cemetery Walk
- Carnival with 12 rides – Fireworks – Thomson women’s and men’s softball/baseball tribute games – more to be announced.
August:
- Sandbur Classic
- Ladies/Men’s Sandbur Golf Tournament. Details to follow.
September:
- Annual Tractor Pull
- Softball Tournament
- Heirloom Market Harvest Days
October:
- October 4,2015 – Crop Walk; Halloween Parade and Party
- Hayride
November:
- Veterans Tribute Month
- Veterans’ Memorial Dedication
- Community Thanksgiving
December:
- Christmas Walk, Time Capsule, Caroling