Save the date for the 155th Celebration!

July 18 - 20, 2025

All month long in February, we are working with The Record-Democrat newspaper to share out news about the 155th Celebration! You can find summaries of that news below. Otherwise, plan to attend a Community Planning Meeting for the event on Wednesday, February 19 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the Rialto Theatre. Those who want to volunteer during the celebration are strongly encouraged to attend!

All School Reunion!

Please plan to attend the All School Reunion on Saturday, July 19th as part of the 155th Celebration. It will take place at the PAC HS/MS Building from 1-4 PM. Tables will be set up by decade groups, although individuals are free to mix and mingle. PAC students will be offering guides tours of the building as well as have some light snacks available to be purchased.

Tank Anthony Band + Spazmatics Headline the Celebration

The Tank Anthony Band will perform on Main Street in Pocahontas on Friday, July 18 from 8 - 11 PM next to Odd Fellows. Spazmatics, all the way from Chicago, will perform on Saturday, July 19 from 8 - 11 PM, with a fireworks show during their intermission. Both bands offer fun, energized performances and will be a staple source of entertainment for the town Celebration! Originally, Lone Tree Revival was set to be the Friday band, but due to unforeseen circumstances we had to pivot to the Tank Anthony Band for Friday night, which will do a great job kicking off the weekend for us!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for both of these performances if your business or organization would like to be recognized for helping make these performances happen! Please contact pocahontaschamber@gmail.com to learn more and sign up as a sponsor.

155th Celebration Essay Contest

Submissions are now open for the 155th Essay Contest. The Record-Democrat will run a special tab for the celebration and we want to include YOU! Write a 600 - 1,000 word essay about a slice of life from Pocahontas. It can be about family or business history, school memories, a personal recollection, a job or activity you remember being part of. Essay needs to be focused on something within Pocahontas city limits, but the person writing it does not have to currently live in Pocahontas.

One essay will be chosen as the winner and receive a $500 grand prize for their efforts, sponsored by Murray Law Firm. A runner up will also be chosen for a $250 prize sponsored by Princess City Solar. Both essays will be published in the 155 Celebration tab. Other essays may be published in the tab based on total amount of submissions, quality of work, and available space. Winning essays will be chosen by a panel of judges. Big thanks to Murray Law Firm, Princess City Solar, and The Record-Democrat for helping make this idea happen and being sponsors alongside the Pocahontas Chamber!

Submissions can be made now until Friday, May 30th. Submit your essay by emailing to Erin Sommers (pokyrdnews@gmail.com) at the Record-Democrat.

155th Celebration Photo Contest

The Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce, UnityPoint Clinic Pocahontas & Laurens, and the Pocahontas Record-Democrat are sponsoring a photo contest to celebrate the city’s 155th anniversary this summer. Judges will be looking for a slice of life photo or something that illustrates what life is like now or what it was like in Pocahontas. These should be photos that you took or that belong to you or your family. No grabbing images off the internet! Photos can be a family photo from when you bought a house in town or a birthday party at an old restaurant in town or just a scenic picture of a landmark. Judges will select three winners, each to receive $50 courtesy of UnityPoint Clinic in Pocahontas and Laurens. The photos will be published in the Record-Democrat.

Email digital or scanned photos to Erin Sommers atpokyrdnews@gmail.com. If you don’t have a digital copy, you can bring it to the Record-Democrat office and we’ll scan it in for you.

Commemorative Mural

The Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce is excited to share that a mural will be going up at Heritage Park to commemorate the 155 Celebration. The location is planned for Heritage Park on Main Street in Pocahontas. Regional artist Shelby Mitchell will be painting the mural. Mitchell has experience with other community murals and large scale projects. The final designed will be approved by key stakeholders and input for the draft has been provided by core community volunteers and figureheads. Additionally, Pocahontas Hometown Pride has secured a grant to install a handicap accessible patio at the site of the mural, which will be completed before the Celebration on July 18 - 20. Stay tuned for this ambitious project happened at Heritage Park this spring!

**Tentative Schedule

Friday, July 18

Med Spa Express Block Party

4 - 8 PM in front of Med Spa Express
Coordinated by Med Spa Express

Pickleball Tournament

4 PM at Pickleball Courts (West of Swimming Pool)
Sponsored by Hopkins Insurance

Mural Dedication + Time Capsule Ceremony

5:30 PM at Heritage Park

PAC Theater Camp Musical

7 PM at Rialto Theatre

Family Fun Night + Hypnotist at the Fairgrounds

Starting at 5 PM at the Fairgrounds
Coordinated by Pocahontas County Fair Board

Tank Anthony Band Live on Main Street

8 - 11 PM - Side street at Odd Fellows
Sponsored by Beam Real Estate, Rittgers Spine & Wellness, Webbink Insurance, New Way Ford. More sponsors needed!

Saturday, July 19

Painted Rock Scavenger Hunt

All weekend long throughout the parks in Pocahontas. Take a selfie with one of the six rocks and comment on the Chamber Facebook post to be entered to win. 6 rocks total will be hidden, so 6 chances to enter per person. Grand Prize is a $50 gift card to your business of choice in town.
Sponsored by Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission

Catholic School 5K Color Run

7 AM Registration, 8 AM Start Time at American Legion Building
Coordinated by Pocahontas Catholic School

Kolaches & Coffee

8 AM Start Time until Sold Out at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church

Missionary Quilt Sale

8 AM - 12 PM at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church

Chris Cakes Breakfast

8:30 AM - 11 AM Under the Chamber Tent by Heritage Park

Live Music at Heritage Park - Kris Karr

8:30 - 11:30 AM. Seating Available Under the Tent by Heritage Park
Sponsor opportunity available!

Face Painting & Balloon Animals

9 AM - 11 AM at Heritage Park
Sponsored by Availa Bank

Storm Chaser Touch a Truck

9 AM - 11:30 AM on the street north of Pocahontas State Bank
Featuring KCCI Channel 8 Storm Chaser

Sidewalk Chalk Drawings

9 AM - 11:30 AM near the tent at Heritage Park
Sponsored by New Impressions

Historical Presentation

10 AM at the Public Library
More details coming soon!

Heritage Days Parade

11:30 AM on Main Street. Route runs to the north side of the high school.
Special Parade Entries sponsored by Jeff Johnson Accounting, more sponsor opportunity available!

Noon Meal by the Pocahontas Women’s Club

12 - 1:30 PM Under the Chamber Tent at Heritage Park
Fundraiser by the Pocahontas Women’s Club

Bags Tournament

Registration at 12 PM, Start Time at 1 PM @ Street South of Slammer’s
Coordinated by Tom Ries of Ries’s Water Service
Sponsor opportunity available!

Inflatables

1 - 4 PM. Location TBD.
Sponsored by Black Hills Energy

Petting Zoo

1 - 4 PM. Location TBD.
Sponsored by Hudson’s Crew

Tug of War Competition

1 - 4 PM, Location TBD
Sponsored by Pocahontas County Conservation

All School Reunion + School Tours

1 - 4 PM at PAC MS/HS Building
More info to come!

Bill Riley Talent Show

4 PM at the Rialto Theatre
Prizes provided courtesy of Pocahontas Community Chorus

Impact Pro Wrestling

7 PM at the Fairgrounds
Coordinated by Pocahontas County Fair Board

Spazmatics - Live on Main Street

8 - 11 PM, in front of the Courthouse Square
Sponsored by Jesse Newgard Farm Bureau, Pocahontas Farm & Home, Schoon Excavating & Farm Drainage, Seiler Appliance, Wood’s Super Market.

Fireworks