Watford gears up for Homefest weekend
By Amy Robinson
Farmer Staff Writer
What was once a community of 1,500 people has now become something of
the past. However, even with a community whose population has increased
10-fold and whose landscape has physically changed, traditions that
have been recognized for years still hold fast in Watford City. And one
of those traditions whose roots still hold strong is the tradition of
Homefest.
What once started as a one-time event to bring community members
together for food, fun, and dancing has turned into an annual three-day
event. And this year’s 2015 Homefest event promises to offer just that -
food, fun, and dancing.
On Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, the Long X Council on the
Arts is hosting a two-daylong Art Show at the Long X Visitor Center from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. This year’s Art Show will
feature Artist Miles Bendixson and Bronze Sculpture Artist Steve
Lillegard.
Then, from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Friday, June 26, golfers are invited to
register for the Trish Gravos Memorial Golf Scramble at the Fox Hills
Golf Course. Tee-Off for the golf scramble will follow at 3 p.m.
Once golfers conclude their scramble, the community is invited to a free
concert by North Dakota-born singer and former The Voice contestant Kat
Perkins. She will perform at 8 p.m. on Main Street in Watford City.
“I think it’s going to be fun to be performing back in my home state of
North Dakota,” says Kat Perkins, on her upcoming concert in Watford
City. “Performing at events like Homefest reminds me of being home
myself, especially with everything going on in the summertime. It was
summertime that we’d all look forward to the street dances, block
parties, festivals, etc. It’ll just feel good to be back in my home
state, western North Dakota.”
All day Saturday, June 27, there will be food and craft vendors lining
Main Street. There will also be a fun Kids Zone for children to
participate in. And from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Watford City will host its
very first ever annual Parade of Homes event, which will start at the
Long X Visitor Center and will include 11 properties.
Then starting at noon on Main Street, there will be a baby pageant that
parents can enter their babies in for a $10 fee, and have a chance at
earning the coveted title of “Little Miss & Mister Homefest.”
Following the baby pageant will be Starkydz “Summer Showdown” Beauty
Pageant at 2 p.m. on Main Street for kids ages 0-18, all competing in
various categories for a handful of titles. And every child will walk
away with a crown. Registration for this pageant is $40 and registration
deadlines for both pageants is June 19.
Once the pageants conclude, an award presentation will be held for the
Parade of Homes winners. The presentation will be held at 7:45 p.m. on
Main Street, right before Watford City native Jessie Veeder & Outlaw
Sippin’ take the stage to perform.
“Homefest has always been one of my favorite Watford City events,” says
Veeder. “The tradition of it, the reconnecting with old friends,
classmates and family, and welcomeing people home, is so important to
the community. I’m happy to have a chance to perform and help my
hometown celebrate.”
Concluding the weekend’s events will be Watford City First Lutheran
Church’s Centennial celebration. At 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning, there will
be a Scandinavian Coffee Social held at the First Lutheran Church,
followed by a Dedication of the church at 9:30 a.m. Lutheran Mass after
the Dedication will then take place at 10 a.m., and a lunch under the
tent with music and a special program will follow the Lutheran Mass.
For more information on Homefest, visit the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at watfordcitychamber.com.