The 139^th Annual Old Soldiers Reunion is set to take place this weekend, in Griswold. The non-profit Old Soldiers Reunion started in 1882 as a Reunion of returning war Veterans. The Theme this year is “Coming Together – Griswold: Past, Present, and Future.” The three day event runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Ted Marciniak is one of the event organizers and Griswold City Manager. He says opening ceremonies begin 5:15-pm, Friday at the Griswold Community Building, followed by the Queen Contest at 5:30-pm, and fun, musical entertainment.

At around the same time the Queen Contest is underway, there will be registration for the Neon Fun Run at the school, and at 6-pm: Adult Water Fights at the Fire Station, a run/walk for kids ages 6 and under at the school, and at 6:30, a 2-mile run/walk and 5K run, also at the school. A sundae bar can be found at the Griswold Community Building from 6-until 8:30-pm, Friday. There will be a boys/girls State Flag presentation at 8:15-pm, at the Community Building, and Fireworks at 10-pm, at the Football Field.

Saturday’s activities during the Old Soldiers Reunion begin bright and early with a Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station, from 6-until 10-a.m., followed by a Tractor Show on Cass Street, from 8-am until 2-pm There’s also an American Legion Auxiliary Membership Drive from 8-until 9:30-am, at the Legion Building, and a Road March at 9-am. A big change from years past, according to Marciniak, is the Grand Parade was moved from the afternoon, to 10-am, Saturday.

The Grand Parade Starts at the high school and traverses down Main Street. The Legion Beer Garden runs from 10-am until 5:30-pm, with Mud Bogs at 5^th and Union Streets at 11:30-am with Junior Class offering food concessions. Other events scheduled throughout the day, Saturday, include but are not limited to: a rock climbing wall, military vehicle display, little kids’ water fights, fire truck rides, and a Street Dance at 7-pm.

Earlier in the afternoon, from 2-until 3-pm, Darrin Crow will speak with regard to Prisoners of War from Iowa, at the Community Building. On Sunday, a Church in the Park will be held beginning at 10:15-am, in the Griswold City Park Shelter. There’s a dunk tank, carnival rides, a petting zoo, food vendors, cotton candy and sno cones from Noon until 5-pm in the City Park and around town. And a Home Run Derby from Noon until 5-pm at the Byron Legg Sports Complex.

The Cass County Historical Museum will be open from Noon until 5-p.m. Sunday, as well.

For more information, visit www.oldsoldiersreunion.com.