NEWELL - In Newell, Labor Day marks more than just an extended weekend away from the worries and stress of work and school. It's a time to celebrate, reminisce with old friends and maybe make a few new ones.

Although Monday's annual parade and rodeo may draw the largest crowds, Saturday night's street dance and Sunday's antique car and tractor show, as well as the tractor pull that follow it, are not far behind in numbers and aren't lacking in fans.

Like Matt and Danielle Bauer from Alliance, Neb. While in town visiting friends, the couple decided to take in the car show and cast their vote for best entry.

"I like the black 1949 International pickup. It fits everything I think should be in something you fix up," Matt Bauer said.

The row of antique tractors kept to the small-town feel of the event; in fact, Newell's Mayor Roger Monson took home the People's Choice votes for his 1949 Ford N tractor.

With more than 50 antique vehicles entered, there was a lot of nostalgia for days gone by as folks were reminded of the cars their families drove them in as children.

On Monday, the past 99 years of Newell history unfolded in front of spectators as the parade themed "Centennial or Bust" was led through town by parade marshals Ken and Donna Wetz.

Vollmer's First Western Insurance float included a pickup bed full of antiques complete with a pioneer woman guarding them with a rifle. Blue Line Dinner and Darrell's Plumbing and Heating joined together for an old west-themed hayride float. Local youth also joined in, such as Joseph and Megan Jackson who were dressed as an NHS quarterback and cheerleader.

After the parade, the Newell Community Band kept the music going in the park as children ran races put on by Cub Scout Pack 13 and others tried their luck at bingo.

Although there were a lot of events and activities going on throughout the weekend, longtime area resident Mary Alexander admitted her favorite part of the weekend is having a picnic in the park with her family after the parade.

"I've probably been to every Newell Labor Day since I was a baby," she said. As she watched her grandchildren compete in the races, she counted four generations of her family that will join them that afternoon.

Labor Day also marks the last weekend that the Newell Museum is open for the year. Curator Linda Velder was kept busy answering questions and giving tours of all the items that have played a part in the area's history.

Meanwhile at City Hall, a steady stream of people enjoyed the talents of local gardeners, artists and quilters on display.

The culmination of the weekend full of events was the annual rodeo. The events included regular rodeo events, mutton bustin' for the youngest cowgirls and boys, family team-roping and unique events such as sheep tee-peeing paying tribute to the history of the sheep industry in the area. Sheep tee-peeing involves teams of people racing with canvas tents in an arena where sheep are loose. The team must capture a sheep and unfold the tent on top of the sheep and hope it stays inside while the team races back to the starting point.