McKenzie County Farmer - Latest News

By Kate Ruggles
Farmer Staff Writer

The celebration commemorating 100 years since the city of Watford City was founded is right around the corner, taking place the weekend of June 26-29. The goal of the weekend is to remember, and really honor all that has taken place over the last 100 years, as well as to look forward to all that the coming 100 years may hold.
The Centennial Committee believes that Watford City has a lot to be proud of and a lot to celebrate, which is why they have filled the weekend with a host of North Dakota talent that is sure to entertain, as well as ring in the celebration.
“There is so much going on that it is hard to highlight one thing as our main attraction,” states Jessie Veeder Scofield, of the Centennial Committee.
According to Scofield, the weekend will be jam-packed with concerts and entertainers at the Tourist Park Main Stage and the Centennial Main Stage at the McKenzie County Fairgrounds. Scofield feels that people will not only be excited about the caliber of entertainers taking the stage during the Centennial, but the fact that they are local, homegrown talent.
On Friday night, Tom Brosseau will start the evening’s concert line-up on the Centennial Main Stage.
“We are really excited to have Tom Brosseau in our lineup. He is a local guy, but he has gone and done some work nationally as well,” states Scofield. “He has a lot of miles and connections and we are thrilled to have him on our celebration schedule.”
Brosseau’s latest album of original music, Grass Punks, was recorded by Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek in Hollywood, Calif. He is a North Dakota-born singer/songwriter and his music has been released across the country and in the United Kingdom as well.
The night will end with performances by Mr. Feelgood and the Firm Believers and Whiskey Rebellion.
Then, according to Scofield, Saturday should be an even bigger night of entertainment with Merrill Piepkorn and the Radio Stars performing prior to the big Free Feed at the fairgrounds.
“Merrill Piepkorn is someone that will speak to a lot of different generations,” states Scofield. “He is a well-known radio personality and the host of the Prairie Public show, Hear it Now, and he recently recorded a live radio show in Watford City called Dakota Air.”
Scofield states that Piepkorn will have solo performances throughout the Centennial weekend, including performing at the Good Shepherd Home and the Heritage Park during Heritage Days events.
“He is timeless. He performs old-time music and he is someone that people of all ages will enjoy,” states Scofield.
After the Free Feed at the fairgrounds and the Centennial Gun Auction, Six Appeal with take the stage and start the night of entertainment with their repertoire of a cappella arrangements of hit songs spanning the decades.
They will be followed by Tigirlily, two up and coming sisters from Hazen who have gained an increasing fan base via YouTube. Tigirlily’s music can be compared to Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat and Adele, but they have a sound all their own.
The night will end with a performance by the Fargo band, 32 Below, an electrifying group known to put on a relentless show. They have performed music that is all their own across the country for the better part of 10 years, and their sound is described as a collision of rock and country.
The weekend will end on Sunday with a performance by Merrill Piepkorn, to be followed by a Non-Denominational Community Worship Service.
“The weekend will have great food, wonderful entertainment and a family-friendly atmosphere,” states Patsy Levang, chairperson of the Centennial Committee. “Then it will culminate with the city’s churches coming together for a community worship service, put on by the Ministerial Association, with Merrill Piepkorn performing hymns before the service starts. What better way to culminate the weekend than with the community members coming together like this.”
The Centennial Main Stage and the Tourist Park Main Stage will also welcome performances by Quintana Biffert, Jessie Veeder, Native American Dancers, Whiskey Rebellion, Medora’s Burning Hills Cloggers, Magic Keith and Magician Blake Krabseth, along with the Badlands Gymnastics Club, and a Community Band made up of Watford City High School students.