Hillsboro's 125th Anniversary

ON JUNE 24, 1884, the city held its first election for town mayor and city council. John F. Funk was elected mayor, and J. F. Hey, Jacob Berger, Peter Lorenz, C. B. Funk, and A. McDonald were elected to the city’s first council. The following day, June 25, the city was incorporated.

One hundred and twenty-five years later there will be a celebration of this event.

We invite you to come join in the celebration of Hillsboro's history over the past 125 years.

Schedule of Events

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

5:00 to 7:00: ANNIVERSARY NIGHT FARMERS' MARKET at the Schaeffler House Museum, herbs, flowers, and the season’s first produce, a sloppy joe meal will be served by the Friends of the Hillsboro Museums, and there will be a bake sale by Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church Ladies. Special music will be performed by Lawrence Ressler with the Four Docs and a Quack. Bring your lawn chairs.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

7:00 to 8:30: 125TH ON MAIN STREET CELEBRATION. The evening starts with Chamber Birthday Cake & Ice Cream Social and special music by the Schnigglefritz Band. Then watch as the contestants of the Great Hillsboro Beard Contest are judged. Watch as the Hillsboro centennial time capsule is opened. Participate in the Gifts to Hillsboro Program., and hear Peggy Goertzen introduce Hillsboro's Past and Present Mayors. Bring your lawn chairs.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

10:30 to 3:30: SCHAEFFLER HOUSE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. The
community will celebrate the 100th birthday of the Schaeffler House with an Antique Car Show at the Schaeffler House mostly north of the house from 10:00 to 3:30, and the Friends of the Hillsboro Museums' 1870-1937 Fashion Show by Vintage Fashion, Inc., from 10:30  11:30. Then join in an Old Fashioned Chicken Picnic on the Lawn of the Schaeffler House from 11:30 to 1:30. $5 Adults, $2.50 Children. Bring your lawn chairs.

3:00 to 4:30 there will be a Bed Turning program at Quilts and Quiltracks. At the same time there will be a player piano demonstrations at Mollie’s on Main.

7:00 to 9:00 Hillsboro Family Aquatic Center. Swim for free Aquatic Center.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

2:00 to 5:00: MUSEUM EXHIBIT OPENING. Sunday afternoon there will be a ribbon cutting for the exciting new exhibit: "Joining the American Mosaic." We will have short presentations from Mayor Dalke and Keith Ebel, great grandson of William and Ida Schaeffler. This will be followed by an open house at the Visitor Center. Be sure to bring the children to the educational activities focusing on the new exhibit. Everyone is invited to join free tours of the Peter Paul Loewen House during the afternoon.

THURSDAY, JULY 2

5:00 to 7:00: FARMERS' MARKET. Join us again at the historic Schaeffler House. At the Hillsboro Farmers' Market one can find succulent produce raised by local families; there will be baked goods, hand made arts and crafts; and an assortment of other interesting things. The Kiwanis will serve a homemade meal; and the Schaeffler House will be open for tours at a special rate during market hours.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

5:00 to 7:30: JULY 4th EVE AT THE SCHAEFFLER HOUSE. The Friends of The Hillsboro Museums will serve traditional Hot Dogs and Ice Cream. The evening begins with the American Legion Color Guard and the National Anthem. The Gettysburg Address will be given by Don Dahl as Abraham Lincoln. At 6:20 there will be a Red, White and Blue Children's Parade supervised by Dale Honeck as Uncle Sam, followed by Children's games. Sparklers for children will be lit by the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department. At 6:45 Olivia Kliewer will bring special music. At 7:00 Mayor Delores Dalke will talk about what it means to celebrate the city's 125th anniversary and then introduce the 2009 special speaker, State Representative Bob Brookens. We will round out the evening with the rousing music of Bob Delk and the Boys. Bring your lawn chairs.

For more information, please go to the Hillsboro Museums' 125th Anniversary pages.

Fire Jam 2009

Join us July 29 - August 1 for the annual Marion County Fire Chiefs Association Fundraiser.

Fun for all ages and many additional events that you simply do not want to miss!

July 29 - The Greenhorns & Kebo Cyrus

July 30 - Kebo Cyrus & T. Graham Brown

July 31 - Kebo Cyrus & Bucky Covington

August 1 - Amazing Fireworks Show