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Make plans to hitch up the team, gather up the ‘young-uns, and head out to Ripon’s Sesquicentennial Community Picnic scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, June 7 & 8, 2008.
This inaugural event will feature a Pioneer Days theme, complete with re-enactment folks, cowboys (& girls), pioneers, Voyageurs, and an assortment of characters from days long gone by. Sample life as it was from the 1850s through the turn of the century. Enjoy watching some trick riding, roping, and horseplay.
The event is being featured as part of Ripon’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Ripon received its City Charter on March 20, 1858, so 2008 marks Ripon’s 150th ‘birthday’ year. A series of special events to celebrate has been planned throughout the year.
Community picnics, BBQs, barn raisings, and square dances were all ways that country folk got together to socialize, and enjoy a bit of ‘leisure’ time when they weren’t hard at work on the farm completing their daily chores. Life may have been simple back in the 19th century, but it certainly wasn’t easy. Chances to get together with friends, neighbors, and family were eagerly looked forward to.
With this in mind, the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and Cedar Ridge Ranch will host this unique two-day event – to celebrate the past, embrace Ripon’s pioneer heritage, and be thankful for the present.
Scheduled activities include: a cowboy performance on Saturday at 2 p.m.; a variety of down-home vittles sellers; horsemanship demonstrations; a cowgirl taming a ‘wild’ mustang; and a foot-stompin’ Barn Dance with live music by the Rolling Mills String Band, from 6 to 8 pm Saturday evening.
On Sunday, fun will begin again with another cowboy performance at noon. As a special treat, folk musician Lil’ Rev will perform with live music & edu-tain-ment. Lil’ Rev is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter & music historian who tours nationally. Known as a “protector of old songs, poetry and stories,” Rev has been called a “Wisconsin Treasure”. He will perform from Noon till 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Throughout the weekend there will be tall tale telling; Voyageurs with teepee and canoe; cowboy tricks; vittles for sale; and re-enactment folks on the grounds to visit with and view their “camps”.
Don’t miss this opportunity to visit Cedar Ridge Ranch, located at W14471 Dartford Road just outside of Ripon, to enjoy some real old-fashioned family entertainment and celebrate Ripon’s roots. All are welcome; there is plenty of parking available, and lots to see and do.
For more information about Ripon’s Sesquicentennial Community Picnic, go to www.ripon-wi.com or call the Ripon Chamber at 920-748-6764.
