Orchard Free Days celebrates homecoming

Orchard Community Club invites area residents to celebrate homecoming during the 2024 Orchard Free Days celebration, scheduled for July 25 to 28.

Thursday, July 25

Kickoff the weekend celebration at the dive-in movie at the Orchard Swimming Pool, sponsored by the Orchard Public Library and Village of Orchard.

The event is free and the movie will begin at dusk.

Friday, July 26

On Friday, make plans to attend the Orchard Historical Society's chicken dinner. Serving will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 1, at The Rex.

After lunch, stop by the District 57 school house for a tour, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Orchard Community Club will host free swimming at the pool, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Purchase tickets now for the 5 p.m. duck race, sponsored by the Tri-County Titans. The race will be held at the swimming pool. For more information, contact a team member or Jeff Shabram.

A road rally, sponsored by ACN/Orchard News will run from 5 to 7 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and the top team with four or more alumni. No entry fee is required for the rally.

Two food trucks will be serving, including Troy Watson and Rhonda's, beginning at 5 p.m.

KBRX will be in O'Neill, spinning tunes during cruise night, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

From 7 to 9 p.m., a free kids' dance, sponsored by Dusty's, will be held at the community center.

The beer garden will open at 8 p.m. The Kaul Band will play at the street dance, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Beginning at 10 p.m. and continuing until 2 a.m., biscuits and gravy will be served at Dusty's quonset.

Saturday, July 27

A fun run kicks off Saturday's slate of events, with registration at 7:30 a.m., at the community center. The race, sponsored by the Summerland track team, will begin at 8 a.m. Contact Shannon Schumacher at 402-750-9012 for information.

Summerland Volleyball players will sponsor a car wash from 9 to 11 a.m., at TJ's Market.

Deja Brew Coffee will serve at the snack shack, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Join Brittney Finch at 10 a.m. for a free BODi workout at the football field.

At 11 a.m., Plains Cover Crop will host a free pingpong drop at the football field. Kids' games, organized by the Dance Cats, will follow. A water balloon and paint ball fight will also be held.

Dusty's will serve food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Registration for the annual poker run begins at noon at The Den. Participants will depart at 1 p.m.

Beginning at 1, take a dip in the Orchard pool. The pool party runs from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Orchard Young Men's Club will sponsor a cornhole tournament, with registration set for 3 p.m. Competition begins at 4.

Students in seventh grade and up are encouraged to try the pizza, popsicles and puzzle trifecta, at 3 p.m. The event will take place outside of The Rex. Contact Alison at 402-394-7649 to register a team of four.

Orchard Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor its annual wing feed from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Orchard Alumni Banquet will be held at the community center, with social hour at 5:30. Dinner will be served at 6:30.

Stop by Dusty's for a hot dog bar between 5 and 8 p.m.

Happy Endings will play at the street dance. The beer garden will open at 9 p.m. and continue until 1 a.m.

Sunday, July 28

The Tri-County Titans will host a pancake feed, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the community center. A freewill donation will be accepted.

A community church service is planned for 10 a.m., at Orchard City Park.

The District 57 school house for will be open between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Registration for the parade will begin at 1 p.m., with the event slated to start at 3 p.m.

Register at the community center until 2:30 p.m., or by contacting Shayna Strope at 402-340-4513.

Inflatables will open after the parade from 4 to 7 p.m.

Midtown Salon will host face painting, at the conclusion of the parade until 5 p.m.

Dusty's will serve funnel cakes and cotton candy between 4 and 8 p.m.

Satisfy a sweet tooth at the Rex. Between 4 and 7:30, the Orchard Historical Society will serve root beer floats and the Bobcat volleyball team will sell brownie sundaes.

Play a game or two of Bingo, from 4 to 7 p.m., at The Rex, sponsored by the Summerland Volleyball team.

Between 5 and 7 p.m., the 70-year class will host a free beef barbecue.

At 7, the Meuret boys will provide entertainment.

The celebration is funded, in part, by the Antelope County Visitor's Bureau, Plains Cover Crop, Lazy T Tire and Implement, H&T Seed and Technology, LLC, and ACN.