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Old Settlers' Weekend 2025
All Roads Lead Home
June 20-22, 2025
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The community of Highmore holds Old Settlers' Weekend annually the third weekend in June. It is set for June 20, 21 and 22 for 2025. The community comes together each year to offer a variety of different events. Our goal is to make Old Settlers' Weekend fun for the whole family.
The HHS All-school reunion will be in 2025! If you registered for the 2020 reunion and paid, your money will be applied to the 2025 registration. You may contact the committee if you have another preference. ​
Old Settlers' Weekend is a community effort, put on by volunteers from a variety of groups, organizations and businesses. Each year, we seek individuals to assist us with the tasks it takes to make Old Settlers' Weekend a great experience for all. This takes many amazing volunteers. Even an hour is enough. If you have any questions or want to volunteer, please send us a message on Facebook. We also love new ideas!
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Local business, CJ Designs, is offering Old Settlers/reunion apparel. Check it out online at Amber Waves Emporium.​
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2025 Schedule of Events
If you're having a class reunion, please call Mary Ann at the Highmore Herald 605-870-2927 to schedule a class picture.
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THURSDAY
7 P.M. Music in the Park
At the South Park (Pool Park) on the new Richard Hamlin Memorial Bandstand, hosted by Highmore Area Council of the Arts. There will be a dedication and refreshments by the Hamlin family.
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FRIDAY
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9 - 11 A.M. Rolls and Coffee at the Senior Center
11:30 A.M. Lunch at the Senior Center
6 P.M. Class of 1970 Reunion
At the South Park
6 P.M. Coronation and Community Play at Hyde County Memorial Auditorium
The program, put on by the Women's Civic League, will include coronation of the king and queen and a community play, "Everything you always wanted to know about your teacher but were afraid to ask.".
7 P.M. SD Farmers Union Bull Bash at the Highmore Rodeo Arena
Highmore Civic and Commerce hosts the annual SD Farmer's Union Bull Bash. Gates open at 6 p.m. Calcutta at 7 p.m. Bull riding to follow. Food/concession will be offered by the Knight's of Columbus. No coolers. Entry fee for spectators is $10. Nine and under is free. We'll be doing a bike drawing for the kids (four bikes, must be present to win)! This is a TPBR sanctioned event. Call 605-222-0267 to register to ride. Hosted by Highmore Civic and Commerce.
Gold sponsors: Venture Communications, Quoin Financial Bank, Kroeplin Air LLC, Luce, Luze, Reck Funeral Homes, East River Electric Cooperative, Jan Busse Ford, Titan Machinery, Prairie Grain Partners, Kimball Livestock Exchange, Agtegra. Championship Belt Buckle: Gutzmer Family in memory of Julie Gutzmer. Bike sponsors: Highmore Herald, The Kut Hut, Hydeout B&B, Mashek Food Center, Dakota Radio Group, Highmore Health, CJ Designs, Miller Rexall Drug.
8 P.M. - 12 A.M. Street Dance at the Fire Hall with music by Urbandale Lane
Sponsored by Highmore Volunteer Fire Department.
9 P.M. - 1 A.M. Karaoke with Korney and the El Caminos at Chah's Bar and Grill
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SATURDAY
7:30 A.M. Color Run at the South Park
Register by 7 a.m. at the South Park (pool park). The route starts and ends at the South Park. There is a participation fee of $10 which includes a t-shirt. Sponsored by Highmore Civic and Commerce.
9 - 11 A.M. Rolls and Coffee at the Senior Center
9:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. All Alumni Art Show at 118 Commercial Ave.
At 1:30 P.M. David Vogelgesang, class of '64, will speak about his upcoming book. David is in the Iowa Track Coach Hall of Fame.
10:00 A.M. Parade; theme is "All Roads Lead Home"
No preregistration required. Parade travels from Highmore Health to Commercial Ave., North to First St., turns west to Iowa Ave. and South to the school. Floats are to enter on the west side of the nursing home. No one is allowed to enter from the South on Ash Ave. Parking is available for horse trailers on the north side of Our Savior Lutheran Chirch on 4th St. Prizes for best float, best class float, best entry other than a float and best overall theme float.
11 A.M. - 5 P.M. Vendor Fair at Hydeout Bed and Breakfast at 315 Commercial Ave.
Contact Beth at the HydeOut Bed & Breakfast to sign up as a vendor.
11 A.M. Lunch at the Senior Center
11:30 A.M. All School Reunion at Hyde County Memorial Auditorium
1 P.M. Kids Tractor Pull near Vilas Pharmacy on Commercial Ave.
Sponsored by Titan Machinery. Sanctioned event.
1 P.M. - 3 P.M. Baseball park display in the East Wing of the Auditorium
1 P.M - 4 P.M. Kids inflatables at the South Park (Pool Park) - FREE
Sponsored by Simplot. Hosted by Highmore Civic and Commerce.
2 P.M. Co-ed adult sand volleyball at the South Park (Pool Park).
Hosted by the Richard Hamlin family. Must be over the age of 18 to participate. Entry fee $250. Three match guarantee - cash payout. Register by contacting Mary Beth Hamlin at 605-870-0858 or email at dihamlin@venturecomm.net. Proceeds to go to construction costs of Richard Hamlin Memorial Bandstand.
2 P.M. - 4 P.M. Scavenger Hunt at Central Park (across from Mashek's Food Center)
Sponsored by Venture Communications. Registration starts at 1:30 at Central Park.
2 P.M. - 4 P.M. Open House at the Historical Society Museum
The museum is open 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Highmore's first schoolhouse will be open on 4th street, on the north side of the current school 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
2 P.M. - 5 P.M. Lemonade Stand
Purchase some fresh lemonade or a flavored water to support locals Eleanor (Miss Mount Rushmore USA Ambassador Jr. Preteen) and Della (Miss South Dakota USA Ambassador Princess) as they head to nationals. They will be set up on the sidewalk by Vilas Pharmacy on Commercial Ave.
3 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. 19th Annual Car Show on Commercial Ave.
Free entry. Awards in 13 classes. Registration on site at 2 P.M. Check out the flyer or more information contact Alan Schwedhelm at 402-427-3206.
3:30 P.M. Kids Coin Dig at the South Park (Pool Park)
This fun new event for the kids will be in the pool park. It is open to kids eight and under. There will be three separate age divisions. It will be in the sandbox.
4:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. Music on Commercial Ave. by the Dirty Boot Band
Sponsored by Jan Busse Ford. Bring a lawn chair!
5 P.M. Cornhole Tournament at Chahl's Bar and Grill
5 P.M. Class of 1995
Near the Fire Hall on Commercial Ave.
5:30 - 7:30 P.M. Smoked Roast Beef Meal at the Fire Department on Commercial Ave.
Hosted by Highmore Volunteer Fire Department.
6:30 P.M. Class of 1965 Reunion
West wing of Hyde County Memorial Auditorium.
7 - 8:30 P.M. Bingo at Hyde County Memorial Auditorium
Hosted by Little Pirates Childcare/Hyde County Childcare Development. BYOB. Coolers welcome. 16 rounds with a $25 Highmore dollar prize and a $100 black out prize. They're also selling tickets to win a 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend 4x4. Tickets are also available at Vilas Pharmacy, Quoin Financial Bank or Jan Busse Ford. Payment options: cash, checks made payable to HCCD Fundraiser; Venmo: @LittlePirate; PayPal: Hyde County Child Development. Please include your name and phone number. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win. You must be 19 or older to purchase a ticket. Winner is responsible for tax, title and license fees. Tickets are $100 each.
7 P.M. Class of 1975 Reunion
East wing of Hyde County Memorial Auditorium.
9 P.M. - 1:30 a.m. Music by Jokers 2 The Right band at Chahl's Bar and Grill.
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SUNDAY
9:30 A.M. Interdenominational Worship Service
At Hyde County Memorial Auditorium.
10 A.M. Venture Communications Golf Tournament
Two-man best ball; Register by 9:30 A.M.
3:30 P.M. Miller 12U vs. Faulkton Baseball
6 P.M. Amateur vs. Four Corners Baseball
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