Slayton celebrates 125 years as a community at the seventh annual Days of '87 Festival this week.
According to festival coordinator Trish Rowden, the Days of '87 Festivals were originally held for at least 20 years, until a break in the 1990s, and was revived in the first decade of the current century.
"Just so people know, we're really excited by this," Rowden said. "We're expecting about 600 people at the All School Reunion."
Aside from softball, bean bag and golf tournaments, there will be inflatable castles on Main Street and Bi-Centennial Park, stock car races at the Murray County Speedway and leading off the parade on Saturday will be the Honor Ride for classic cars and motorcycles.
This year the Honor Ride is held in commemoration of Luke Beers, who died tragically in a car accident on the outskirts of town on March 15, 2011, according to Rowden.
Throughout the festival, visitors to the Dinehart/Holt House museum can relive their high school days and view a collection of classic prom dresses.
"We have around 80 prom dresses starting from 1942, all the way up to 2000," said Museum Director Diane Clercx. "They'll be displayed all over the house in every room."
The museum will also host a display of Slayton memorabilia, including a stuffed wildcat and a stuffed goat.
"The goat was what the basketball teams used to fight over," Clercx said. "Back in the '50s and '60s the winner of the tournament got to take it home and display it. The wildcat mascot used to be in the Slayton trophy case."
In keeping with the historical theme, DJ Mylan Ray will be playing hits from the '50s, '60s and '70s at the Murray County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
Saturday morning starts with a 5K walk-run combined with a 10K run.
"We've had these runs every year and try to dedicate them to community events," said run organizer Joe Muldoon. "This year is the 125th anniversary of Slayton's founding and being combined with the All School Reunion, we've dedicated the proceeds to the Murray County Central track resurfacing project."
Schedule
Register for tournaments at slayton.govoffice.com
Today
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Prom dress exhibit at the Dinehart/Holt House
1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Slaytona Beach West Aquatic Center open
7 p.m. Prairie Oasis Players present radio skits at the MCC Auditorium
Friday
8 a.m. golf tournament at the Slayton Country Club, 20 teams of four players, first come first served
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Prom dress exhibit at the Dinehart/Holt House
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Slayton memorabilia exhibit, Murray County Museum
1-8 p.m. Slaytona Beach West Aquatic Center open
7 p.m. Prairie Oasis Players present radio skits at the MCC Auditorium
7:30 p.m. Stock car races at the Murray County Speedway
Saturday
7:15 a.m. 5K & 10K run
8 a.m. Kids pedal pull, Muldoon Chiropractic, begins 9 a.m., kids ages 4-11
10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Tours of the high school
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Prom dress exhibit at the Dinehart/Holt House
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Burgers and root beer served at the Dinehart/Holt House
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Inflatable houses on Main Street and Bi-Centennial Park
10 a.m. Men's slow pitch softball tournament at Bi-Centennial Park.
10 a.m. Co-ed volleyball tournament at Slaytona Beach West sand volleyball courts
10 a.m. Bean bag tournament at Bi-Centennial Park
Noon Honor Ride for motorcycles and classic cars, registration at noon in Grain Exchange parking lot, leading off the parade
1:30 p.m. Pinewood Derby at Muldoon Chiropractic on Broadway after parade
4-7 p.m. DJ Mylan Ray at the fairgrounds
4 p.m. Grain Exchange beer garden/cash bar/food stand at the fairgrounds, to closing
5-7 p.m. All School Reunion picnic
7-8 p.m. Bruce Dysthe concert
8 p.m. Quilt raffle drawing at the Bruce Dysthe concert
8 p.m.-midnight Pirate Taxi band at the fairgrounds
Sunday
10 a.m. All School Reunion band and choir rehearsal in the auditorium
11 a.m. All School Reunion choir rehearsal in the auditorium
Noon-4 p.m. Tour of the high school
1 p.m. All School Reunion band and choir concert at the high school auditorium