Hills marks 125th year as a town

The town of Hills will likely grow to two or three times its normal population this weekend when the community celebrates its 125th anniversary.
The celebration is timed with the community’s annual Friendship Days weekend, so there will be the usual parades, games, food vendors and festivities.
A dedicated committee of volunteers called “Helping Build Communities Stronger” has formed in place of the former Community Club, and the group has been working hard to give Hills a proper 125th anniversary celebration.
Following is the quasquicentennial weekend lineup:
 
Friday, June 12
•Four-Person Best Ball Golf tournament at Larchwood Golf Course begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
•Border League softball games at Hills softball field begin at 6:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, June 13
•FFA Alumni Pancake Breakfast will be served from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Hills American Legion.
•A 5 K Fun Run and Walk for all ages will begin at 8 a.m. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
•Bean Bag Tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. near the Hills Veterans Memorial.
•A “Meet and Greet” is from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hills-Beaver Creek High School for all H-BC alumni and their families and friends.
• Farm Tractor and Machinery Show will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on West Third Street.
•“Days of the Past” Parade will be at 3 p.m. on Main Street.
•A community meal will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. on Main Street. To observe Wendell Erickson’s 90th birthday celebration, cake will be served starting at 5:30 p.m.
•A street dance with music by Neo Johnson’s Classic Rock will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Main Street in Hills. Cost before 7 p.m. is $5. Cover charge is $7 after 7 p.m.
•Kiddie Tractor Pull will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Main Street to begin.
•Food vendors will be available from 11a.m. to 1 p.m.
•Kids Activities at Hills Softball Field will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring jump tents a ferris wheel and train rides.
•Arts In The Park Vendor Fair will start at 11 a.m. in Jacobson Park.
•Music at the Park will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. with Bum Steers performing. Members of the group include Mark Richards from Steen and Lonny Ackerman from Beaver Creek.
•Movie Night featuring “SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” will be at dusk (about 9:30 p.m.) at Jacobson Park. Bring chairs.
 
Sunday, June 14
•A Community Church Service will be at 10 a.m. in the Hills-Beaver Creek High School in Hills. The speaker is Tom Goehle and music will provided by Dan and Allie LaRock, Clint Roozeboom and Kendra Doerr.
 
Hills memorabilia will be displayed at Hills City Office Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will include the Hills Centennial Quilt dated 1890 -1990.