Valley City Mayor Mary Lee Nielson accepts a medallion and card from Myron Sommerfeld from the head mayor, Alfons Brandl of Herrieder, Germany. Sommerfeld and his wife, Jenneice,  just returned from Germany and they told the mayor that Valley City is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Brandl gave him a medallion that states Herrieder is celebrating its 1,225th anniversary. Nielson and Sommerfeld had a good laugh about that. Sommerfeld, the leader of the Myron Sommerfeld Orchestra, will play at the Valley City celebration on Thursday, June 12,  beginning at 8 p.m. at the Valley City Eagles. (Jean Schlegel/VCTR) 

By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

Valley City and the surrounding communities have good reason to celebrate this week. Valley City is marking its 125th anniversary and the 25th annual Rally in the Valley all in one.
Events start on Wednesday, June 11, and continue through Sunday, June 15.
Planning for the big bash started many months ago and numerous people can take credit for coming up with events that will please the whole family.
Mayor Mary Lee Nielson said they have been making plans for so long, and “all of a sudden ... it’s here!”
Starting on Wednesday, June 11, is a picnic at 6:30 p.m. in City Park, sponsored by MarketPlace Foods. Following this is Concert at City Park Bandshell with the Valley Troubadours.
Thursday, June 12, an open house is planned at the Barnes County Museum, which will feature book and souvenir sales and registration. Don’t miss looking at the new Valley City 125th anniversary book compiled by the Valley City 125th Anniversary Book Committee. The book was made possible with grants from the City of Valley City and the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
A community picnic, sponsored by Michel’s Pipeline, is at 4:30 p.m. in the Valley City Firehall. Nielson said the picnic will go on “rain or shine” because they will be indoors. Plans are to serve the first 1,000 people.
For anyone who loves to dance or listen to Big Band music, the Valley City Eagles is the place to be on Thursday with Myron Sommerfeld and His Orchestra providing the music. Myron Sommerfeld and his daughter, Bonnie, will be singing many of those old favorites, while Myron's wife, Jenneice, is featured at the piano. The Sommerfelds and their orchestra will play on Thursday, June 12, starting at 8 p.m. There will be dance instruction during breaks by Roxanne Rogers.
Friday, there will be a flea market and craft fair in City Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The rest of the day is chuck full of fun things to do, including:
The Bridge City Cruisers Car Show registration at Rosebud Visitor Center at 4 p.m., followed by their Bridge City Cruisers Show 'N Shine.
The Double B Barrel Bash at the North Dakota Winter Show Event Center, starting at 7 p.m. A street dance with "Great Outdoors," starts at  9 p.m. on Main Street, and at 10:30 p.m., the outdoor movie, "Grease," will once again be shown at the Youth Sports Complex parking lot. This is back by popular demand after last year's successful show.
Saturday will keep everyone going from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. when the day will culminate with a fireworks display at VCSU’s Lokken Field.
The day looks like this:
8 a.m.: Flea Market and Craft Fair in City Park. The Optimist Club's Bill Jansen Road Race, starting at 8 a.m. at Hi Line Park. Bridge City Cruisers Car Show registration at Rosebud Visitor Center.
10 a.m. until 5 p.m.:Open house at Barnes County Museum.
The 125th Grand Parade down Central Avenue, starting at 10 a.m., followed by children’s games in City Park.
The days of the Old West have long since passed, but local residents will soon get a taste of the early frontier days as the legendary Wells Fargo stagecoach rolls through Valley City’s 125th Grand Parade.
Wells Fargo’s history in Valley City dates back to 1913 when the company was known as Middlewest Loan & Trust Company.
“The Wells Fargo stagecoach has symbolized our company’s reliability and service for more than 155 years,” said Ross Fugleburg, Community Banking president for Wells Fargo in Valley City. “We are committed to supporting the communities we serve, and our involvement in Valley City’s 125th Grand Parade gives us an opportunity to do just that.”
11 a.m.: Car Show following the parade, and various car club events throughout the day. Roving entertainment by members of the Valley City Community Theater. Double B Barrel Bash at NDWS Events Center. 14th annual Head Start Poker Run. Live music in City Park Bandshell. Pie and Ice cream Social at VC-BC Public Library, 11 a.m. until gone.
12:30 p.m. is the Rubber Duck Race in City Park, and a Kids Pedal Pull, also in City Park.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Live music in City Park Bandshell, featuring “Valley Voices,” VCSU Ensembles and others. Also from 1-3 p.m. is the Ward Wilkins book signing at the Barnes County Museum.
1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. is free swimming at Valley City Parks and Rec Community Pool.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. is "Discover the Planets" show at VCSU Planetarium and a Medicine Wheel Park open house (2-4 p.m.)
2-5 p.m.: All Saints Episcopal Church 125th anniversary Open House.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Valley City Fire Department Bucket Brigade.
5 p.m.: Dedication of the new 125th Mural at "The Wall" on West Main Street.
9 p.m.: Street dance with "The Blackwells," on Main Street.
9 p.m. to 11 p.m., teen dance in Valley  Drug Parking Lot, featuring “Scuba.”
 10:30 p.m.: Fireworks display at Valley City State University’s Lokken Field. Mayor Mary Lee Nielson said it will be twice as big as last year.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m.: Double B Barrel Bash at NDWS Events Center.
An Ecumenical Community Church Service is planned  at Chautauqua Park at 11:30 a.m. Rae Kvilvang wrote a song for the 125th anniversary, and Carol Winter will sing it during the service.
Sunday noon: Dakota Riders Hill Climb. Take the I-94, Exit 290, and follow the signs.
Each day, there are self-guided historical walking tours, class and family reunions, and a Smithsonian Exhibit, “Between Fences” at the Barnes County Historical Museum.