NEWELL—It was a great weekend in Newell these past few days for the 66th annual Newell Labor Day Celebration. People from all over the area came to Newell to enjoy the festivities, starting on Saturday, August 30 with the 5K Fun Run/Walk/Bike in the morning leaving from the Newell Evangelical Church parking lot.
An All-School Reunion at the Austin Auditorium hosted alumni, students, administration and teachers from Newell, Nisland and Vale.
In the afternoon at the rodeo grounds was the Calcutta and Ranch Rodeo. The audience got to enjoy the new grandstands, which were covered thanks to Levi and Cierra McTaggart who donated a temporary cover for the grandstands for Labor Day Weekend. 75% of Calcutta proceeds were paid back. Teams were made up of a woman, a youth aged 14 or under, a senior aged 50 or older, a hand, and a mutton buster under 60 pounds. Events included mutton busting, sorting/penning/doctoring, branding, trailer loading, sheep teepeeing, and mugging. The first-place team won custom trophy buckles, while 2nd and 3rd place teams won quality leather products and the Top Hands earned Newell Ranch Rodeo jackets.
The Whistle Stop Market at the NVN Center was open, along with the Newell Museum and Quilt Show at City Hall. In the evening was the Newell FFA Goat Roping at the rodeo grounds and the Firemen’s Barbecue at the Newell Fire Hall. And finally, at nighttime, adults got to enjoy a dance at the Newell Bar with Williams & Wright providing live music. Youth had their own dance in the park from 9 to 11 p.m., and they enjoyed the dance despite the chilly weather!
On Sunday, celebrations started early in the morning with the J.D. Mutchler Memorial Team Roping and Breakaway Roping at the arena and the Car Show at South Park. The park was full of people enjoying the 43 entered car show contestants, and viewers got to vote on their top three favorite cars and their favorite tractor. The Newell Christian Fellowship Church offered pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and water for a free will donation, along with a bouncy house for the youngsters. Newly crowned Newell Labor Day royalty served up the food.
In the afternoon, spectators enjoyed the Tractor Pull and the Corn Hole Tournament. There were 32 teams entered in the tournament and the competition was double elimination. At least 62 games of corn hole were played, and the top two teams were paid out. The payout was 80/20 with the 20% going towards finishing the grandstands at the arena. Turnout for the tractor pull was great, with folding chairs lining the track. A muddy track from the rain did not stop the performance! Mimi’s Food Truck was also on site to feed hungry spectators. Chicken Bingo was another fun event in the park, with the winner taking home $90 on Sunday! Proceeds from Chicken Bingo entries go towards the NVN Senior Center.
Labor Day will be full of more fun events, starting with the Labor Day Parade and then the Labor Day Rodeo in the afternoon. Keep an eye out for the next issue of the paper to see how those events went! Happy Labor Day!
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