(ABOVE: News Channel Nebraska file photo from 2023 Old Settlers Day parade)

LODGEPOLE -- It started as a celebration of families, of farm and ranch skill competitions and has continued a century later.

The celebration started as the Cheyenne County Union Picnic in the 1890s.

"They used to gather out here in the trees east of town (Lodgepole), and I think it was the Persinger ranch. And they found out when everybody was born, how old they were, the oldest ones that were gathering, and they used to celebrate, on Labor Day," said Maryann Dickinson.

The Cheyenne County Union Picnic used to travel to different communities, she said. In 1924, the Lodgepole community decided it wanted its own day.

"That's when it was called Lodgepole Old Settlers ... Reunion," she said.

Throughout the years, the "union" reference got dropped to Old Settlers Day. The celebration expanded from Monday only, to Sunday and Monday, and to Saturday-Monday. 

“We used to have horse pulls, draft horse pulls; pony pulls, That's, that's how I originally got involved with Old Settlers. My father-in-law had a team of mules," Dickinson said.

This year the Lodgepole community is celebrating 100 years of a Labor Day weekend festival. Activities start Friday, August 30, with The Steer In 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and open each day of the weekend.

Saturday, August 31, starts with the golf tournament at the Chappell Golf Course; 4-person scramble starting at 9 a.m. Call Bill Taylor at 308-250-0530 or Justin Misegadis at 308-249-5969. There will also be a softball tourney, tractor pull, car show, bake-off, taco supper and magic show Saturday.

Sunday starts with Church in the Park at 9 a.m., followed by the volleyball tourney starting at 10 a.m., the Quilt Show & Raffle opens at 10:30 a.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Lodgepole Museum opens at 11 a.m., Bingo at the Community Hall at 2 p.m., Burger Bash starts at 4 p.m. and the Street Dance is at the Community Hall starting at 6 p.m.

The parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Labor Day with the Community BBQ and Program starting at 11 a.m.

For more information, see the Old Settlers' Days Facebook page.