By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

Local leaders are taking preliminary steps toward making plans for Valley City’s 125th anniversary celebration. Last week, a handful of area folks joined Dean Ihla, executive director of the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, to start the process.
Ihla said they don’t have a structured committee at this time, and they are just asking anyone to “come in and help.” He said it would be nice to have a 125th anniversary committee, and this is being looked into.
Several ideas were thrown out at the brainstorming meeting, and the itineraries of past Valley City anniversaries, the upcoming tentative schedule for the 25th annual Rally in the Valley, and Jamestown’s event schedule were all discussed.
Ihla said that Valley City actually has more events already scheduled for Rally in the Valley than some cities do for their centennials. Rally in the Valley will take place during the 125th anniversary celebration.
He is, however, looking for more ideas and volunteers for the upcoming centennial. After individuals at the meeting made their suggestions, Ihla said he would probably make a list and visit various businesses, clubs and organizations to give them an opportunity to pick and choose what areas they would like to volunteer in. He added that the Chamber can send out invitations to neighboring towns to participate in and enter parade entries. Area marching bands are also welcome.
Barnes County Historical Museum volunteer Paul Vangerud gave an update of Valley City’s 125th anniversary history book. He said the book is coming along nicely, and Sandy Hansen of Valley City, who has been working on the layout and design of the book, is currently working on the photos.Vangerud said the book is made up mostly of pictures and fewer words. The 120 page hard cover book has color photos and sells for $29.95 plus tax. He added that the book looks at the last 25 years, and what’s happened since 1983. Barnes County Historical Museum Curator Wes Anderson said a lot of things have happened in the past 25 years, and many people have pictures for the book.
Several suggestions for the centennial that will probably take place include a Tour of Homes, which LaVay White volunteered to look into and organize. Valley City Postmaster Sherry Johnson said she can offer a cancellation stamp for the event from the post office, and that a logo would be nice for this. People would have to buy the stamp and she would cancel it. It would be a souvenir type of thing, she said.
Tim Ost, manager of KOVC suggested a Hall of Fame brunch with a sports theme, with a speaker from each team.
Other suggestions included an old time dance with such bands as Myron Sommerfeld from Valley City, and/or Bobby Vee from Detroit Lakes. A Trike and Bike Parade was another suggestion, and bus tours of the city, historic walking tours, and perhaps a style show. A veterans’ salute was also suggested, and the Bridges Arts Council may have ideas for their side of it.
More ideas and volunteers are needed to get the 125th anniversary activities off the ground, Ihla said. Future meetings will be held, inviting the public to come forth and help with this big endeavor.