Minonk is in final preparations for its upcoming centennial next weekend.
Chairman Cathy McKay said that some new attractions have been added for next weekend's celebration.
McKay said that a fly over of C130's by the Illinois Air National Guard will occur around
4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 12. Minonk native Dennis Baker, who will be one of the pilots, received permission
from authorities to conduct the fly over. Many Minonk residents are already familar with the low flying C130s
that occassionally fly low over the area on training exercises out of their base in Peoria.
There will be a cemetery tour Friday
4pm-6pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. A booklet has been made up of people who made a difference the last 150 years that are buried at
Minonk Township Cemetery.
There will be a marker next to grave to correspond to story in booklet.
McKay also said that a balloon launch will take place at 6:30 p.m. on July 4 at Sutton's Park during the
evening program leading up to the fireworks. Finally, a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic will be held at
the Westside Park after the parade on July 4th. Anyone who has volunteered for anything is welcome to attend the
picnic.
Tickets are still available for a Sesquicentennial Drawdown to help raise money to fund this year's sesquicentennial celebration. Tickets are $25 and only 200 are sold. If anyone wants to buy a ticket they can contact Jason Buchanan at (309)287-4236 or e-mail him at buchanan4@mchsi.com.
There will be 13 payouts and the 200th ball out will be worth $1000.00
Minonk Koozies are being sold as commemorative item for the upcoming sesquicentennial.
Koozies are rubber holders for pop or beer cans.
The price of the Koozie is $3.00 or 2 for $5.00. They also can be bought over the Celebration weekend in the Beer Tent
or can be bought from Jason Buchanan at 287-4236 or Russell Ruestman at 432-3909.
Everyone is busy preparing for next weekend's celebration with store owners decorating their windows
and displays going up in the old fire station on West Fifth Street. The carnival will be setting up
starting Monday and will be open to the public on Thursday night. This year's carnival promises to be one
of the best carnivals coming to town.
Minonk's sesquicentennial
celebration is shaping up to be a memorable event for everyone with historical displays and dedication
of the Millennia Park and the Westside Park pavilion. To view all of the events for
the sesquicentennial, click here.
