The Rippey Sesquicentennial 150 plus 1 on Saturday, July 31, will provide activities beyond the usual rural Iowa small town celebrations. Unusual activities will include the premier of Bigfoot Monologues, written and performed in open air theater style by Community Players of Greene County; viewing and a chance to fly radio-controlled airplanes courtesy of the Des Moines Modelaires; Big Bang Bubbles by Rick Brammer; an amazing two-hour gigantic bubble show, and an antique tractor ride to the site of the original town of Rippey near the Raccoon River.
The parade will begin the day at 10 am with King LaVere Derry and Queen Mary Cunningham serving as marshals.
Traditional activities with a twist will include an Old Timers’ baseball game between the Rippey Bulldogs and the East Greene Hawks. Now that some of the original players say they are too old to run to first base, providing they could get a hit, many of them plan to be present sitting in the stands, once used by their parents as their teams were cheered on to victories.
In Rippey’s own food truck throw down, several vendors have signed up offering tasty and unusual menu features directly adjacent for those observing the car show and making purchases from the craft vendors on Main Street.
In an effort to successfully entertain youngsters and grandchildren of visiting friends and alumnus, bouncy houses, spin art, face painting, and a children’s tractor pull will be located near the skating rink and shelter house.
Nature photography artist Peg Gannon will have photos displayed for people to observe and purchase, while playing Bingo in the air conditioned Rippey Community Room.
Local food providers include the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association and members of the United Methodist Church. The church folks will provide lunch following the parade with homemade ice cream and delicious baked goods.
The Cattlemen will grill beef burgers and sell chips and water near the baseball concession stand during the Old Timer’s game and stay through the Churdan Town and Country Band performance at 6:30 pm.
The day will conclude with a Street Dance on Third Street featuring 16 Staples. The drummer of the group hails from the town of Rippey.
The fireworks will be the grand finale, beginning at 9:30 pm adjacent to the Walt Anderson baseball field.
Postponed one year due to the Covid pandemic, it will be a 151st birthday bash.
Planning for this event has been done in a partnership between the Friends of Rippey and the City of Rippey.
The Friends of Rippey are incredibly grateful for the numerous financial donations and gifts from those with strong Rippey roots.
