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Philip marks a century of existence with festivities

Justin Wolfgang, Journal staff | Posted: Friday, June 15, 2007 11:00 pm | (0) Comments

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buy this photo When some of the more powerful autos began revving their engines Saturday at the Philip centennial parade, it was a bit more than the ears of Alisa Brucklacher could stand. (Photo by Dick Kettlewell, Journal staff)

PHILIP - Rain showers might have put a damper on Philip's centennial celebration parade, but the skies cleared just in time for a free community pit barbeque and a massive all-school reunion Saturday night.
Nearly 200 entries filled the parade with floats full of returning alumni of Philip High School, classic cars from bygone years and a seemingly never-ending train of tractors and turn-of-the-century prairie wagons.
Parade fans of all ages lined the streets of downtown Philip, some hiding under the business' awning from the downpour to watch the parade that included contingencies from the Scottie Philip family and the 1989 South Dakota Centennial Wagon Train.
When the community began planning the centennial celebration six years ago, they decided that in order to get the most visitors possible, they would coincide the celebration with an all-school reunion that hosted more than 1,300 alumni and friends.
"They're coming from all over the United States," coordinator Marsha West said. "We have a map where they're putting little stickers where they came from."
Alumni from southern Florida, Alaska and Hawaii made the trip for the reunion and centennial celebration.
West said organizers were able to pull together 2,800 names for invitations to the all-school reunion by using class lists and addresses from a similar reunion in 1982.
Saturday's events started early with a 5K and 10K run and walk, followed by the opening of the city's time capsule and a parade. Afterward, the Philip Fire Department hosted a free roast beef dinner, in which they cooked 600 pounds of roast beef.
In the afternoon, there was a car, bike and tractor show in the high school parking lot, American Indian dancers downtown and inflatable games and kids train rides.
The celebration ends today with a golf tournament, art and quilt shows, a Polka Mass and a demolition derby.
West said by integrating the reunion with the centennial celebration, more people were able to attend and have a good time.
"It just gives the people more things to do than just the reunion because of the saddle bronc and the parade," she said.
Contact Justin Wolfgang at 394-8417 or Justin.wolfgang@rapidcityjournal.com

Posted in Local on Friday, June 15, 2007 11:00 pm

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