Settlers' Days in Marengo celebrates the '80s

Tradition will intertwine with shoulder pads, big hair and all things “Back to the Future” at this year’s Settlers’ Days in Marengo.

With the popular ’80s cover band Hairbangers Ball set to headline the festival’s Saturday Night on Main Street, organizers decided to carry the ’80s theme through the entire event.

Pac Man. Rubik’s Cube. Aqua Net.

“Everything is about the ’80s,” said Collen Helfers, Settlers’ Days co-chair and executive director of the Marengo Union Chamber of Commerce.

Spanning four days from Oct. 10-13 throughout Marengo, the festival includes the usual fanfare — a carnival, Prince & Princess Contest, Children’s Pet Parade, arts & crafts fair, car show, petting zoo, Saturday Night on Main Street, parade, Band Field Show competition and more.

Adding to this year’s theme will be an ’80s costume party at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Miss Kitty’s Saloon.   And visitors can expect a lot of ’80s-themed reference at the parade, which begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 13 downtown Marengo. The Band Field Show Competition will follow at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Marengo Community High School.

Other events include festivities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily starting Oct. 11 at Cody’s Farm, 19502 River Road, Marengo, as well as free tethered Re/Max hot air balloon rides from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at Zion Lutheran Church.

The Marengo’s Got Talent competition will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 12 as part of Saturday Night on Main Street. And, along with Hairbangers Ball, Earthmother will take the main stage at the Saturday night event.

For a complete schedule of the festival, visit settlersdays.com, find Settlers Days Marengo on Facebook or call the Chamber at 815-568-6680.

The event typically draws at least 5,000 people to Marengo, but turnout always depends upon the weather, Helfers said. With cooler temperatures predicted this weekend, she’s hoping people will bundle up and come out for the fun.

“It’s an event to bring the community together, to actually get out and meet the people of this town and see what Marengo is all about,” she said.