GILMAN — It was a weekend to remember in Gilman as the southeastern Marshall County community celebrated 150 years with a sesquicentennial festival that ran from Friday evening into Sunday and featured a wide range of fun activities for residents, returning natives who have since moved elsewhere and visitors who were just there to enjoy the fun.

It all kicked off on Friday evening with an all school reunion at the middle school and a street dance with Route 66 before the celebration kicked into high gear Saturday morning with a 5k run starting bright and early at 7 a.m. followed by a pancake breakfast and, of course, the grand parade.

Before the parade started, longtime Gilman resident Kathy Scurr Ferguson provided a brief history of the town, which was named after railroad contractor Charles Gilman. She then welcomed national anthem singer Lily Smith and, along with Sally Kriegel, gave special certificates of recognition to a group of 21 Gilmanites who are 90 or older — many of whom were in attendance — including longtime residents who have since moved to assisted living or nursing home facilities in other communities. There were also two honorees who have passed away since the certificates were printed.

“These honorary Gilmanites spent many years being an active part of Gilman’s growth and leaders of our community. We are pleased to honor them for their many contributions,” Ferguson said.

The oldest of those in attendance, Betty Rosedale, is 101 years old.

“Thank you everyone for coming. It’s beyond what we thought and we are extremely happy,” Ferguson said.

Milt and Mary Dixon served as the grand marshals in the parade, and the sesquicentennial continued with a car show, bags tournament, dunk tank, a kids outdoor movie and a street dance featuring the local band Grand Marshall. The celebration wound down Sunday with a church service in the park, acoustic musical performance by Chris Stewart and a pepper tournament.

Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.