NEW HAMPTON - Main Street banners reveal Character Counts' virtues. One in particular - citizenship - will be evident this weekend during New Hampton's sesquicentennial celebration.

"We are expecting 125 units to participate in the parade, "said Karen Amundson, co-chair of the parade committee with her husband, Olin.

Lifelong resident Paul Hassman will be grand marshal and ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The parade will begin Friday at 6 p.m..

After the parade, the band Major Healey will be on stage at Stolz Park. For the more adventurous, there's also an opportunity to ride a mechanical bull until 11 p.m. Don't Quit Your Day Job band, featuring 18 local musicians, will perform in front of the Chickasaw County Courthouse.

Kids activities will start at 7 p.m. in the community center.

Saturday's events will be in Mikkelson Park, starting with a 5K run at 7 a.m. The New Hampton Firemen's 5K run/walk will step off at 8.

Northeast Iowa baseball teams for kids 10 years old and under will play in a tournament beginning at 8 a.m. In case of rain, games will move to Sunday. The Bill Riley talent search will start at 10 a.m. Performers 2 to 21 will sing and show their skills to qualify for the Iowa State Fair.

A community accomplishment - the Chickasaw Wellness Center on West Hamilton Street - will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Carnival games, including inflatable rides, ring toss, basketball free throws, pigskin football will be ongoing from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Area firefighters will battle it out in water ball competitions beginning at 2 p.m. While they are getting wet, Miss Heartland contestants will be on stage in the park. There will also be music in the park from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Food will be grilled by Chickasaw County Pork Producers.

Sunday morning there will be an all-you-can eat breakfast served in Mikkelson Park band shell at 8 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the Chickasaw County Rescue Squad. In the afternoon, tours will circulate through the community and cemetery, where residents will portray historical figures.

"There will be places to see for people who have left town," volunteer Juanita Anderson said.

Talent from New Hampton churches will perform Praise in the Park at 6:30 p.m.

The sesquicentennial celebration will end with fireworks at sundown.

Contact Gloria Aleff at SBLGram@aol.com.