June 22, 2011

Homefest kicks off summer season

By Olivia Sundeen   
Farmer Staff Writer

The excitement is in the air as Homefest nears.
This year will be similar, yet different from other years. But one thing is for sure, Homefest has something for everyone.
Friday, June 24, the Watford City Golf Course hosts its annual Scramble starting at 4 p.m. with a supper to follow. This gives golfers and non-golfers a chance to enjoy swinging some clubs or reminiscing over something to eat.
Later that night the fun continues as folks of Watford City get the chance to boogy the night away to the Northstar Band, who will be playing both Friday and Saturday nights.
After a long night filled with fun, runners must grab their gear and head to Fridley Field for the Homefest Run that starts at 8:30 a.m.
Like other years, there is a 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and a 10K Relay. This year there is a new addition - Amy’s Run.
Amy’s Run is a one mile run that is being used as a fundraiser for Amy’s Room in the future Connie Wold Wellness Center.
“Amy’s Room will be a positive, fun and inviting playroom that will be available to children whose parents are working out at the Connie Wold Wellness Center,” stated Kristin Bolken, director of the Benefit Fund of the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems. “Amy’s Run is a noncompetitive fun run for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you want to support Amy’s Room, your kids want to participate in a fun run or you just want a fun one mile run on Saturday morning, come out and join us!”
Another change in this year’s run is the course.
“Routes have been modified,” stated Tricia Sundeen, co-chair, “so it’s all in-town running.”
This is for safety reasons. The orginial 10K Run was a cool run, but it had runners out on the highway for portions of it.
“The traffic is just not the same,” stated Sandi Sanford, co-chair. “We had to change it for everyone’s safety.”
What better way to start the day than with a morning run? Cash prizes for overall winners and door prizes will be given at the end of the run.
“This is a fun way to start your day,” stated Sanford. “Come out and help this race grow.”
The fun doesn’t stop there. Shower up and head over to the Long X Visitor Center where activities will be going on all day long.
Native American and Cowboy Culture on the Deck will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trish Stevenson will have her Art of the West exhibit set up all day in the Pioneer Museum. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. there will be different forms of entertainment, one being a Native American dance performance. Indian Tacos will be served for lunch at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m. Marilyn Hudson will give her presentation on “How our Gardens Did Grow! A Planting and Harvesting History of the Fort Berthold Reservation.”
“We are exploring the avenues of our culture and heritage,” stated Jan Dodge, director of McKenzie County Tourism, “and how the variety of our cultures plays into our everyday life.”
All day tours will be going on in the Pioneer Museum as well, which represents the rich culture of McKenzie County.
“Trish with western art, the Native  American dancers, Marilyn Hudson and her presentation on gardening on Fort Berthold and the Indian Tacos for lunch,” commented Dodge, “sounds like a cultural experience to me!”
Among the excitement, don’t forget to tickle your funny bone by attending the Missoula Children’s Theatre play, “King Arthur’s Quest.” Performances will be Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 25 at 2 p.m. in the High School Media Center.
Homefest weekend is full of fun festivities. Whether it is a class reunion, the Homefest Run, King Arthur’s Quest, or just dancing the night away, it will be a great time for all ages.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER