In the spring of 2003, the Town of Annawan celebrated their 150th birthday.  It was a weekend filled with fun, reunions, and memories to last a life time.  The theme of the weekend was Remember When.  The following is a poem written by our High School principal, Linda Rakestraw, for the Remember When play that was done at the High School. 

Remember When...

A Tribute to the Town of Annawan

Long, long ago from a place far away,
A young Daniel Morton came traveling this way.

He came to these lands, to start a new life,
He came with his dreams, and brought his new wife

They soon had a child, and the rest you all know,
This village of Annawan started to grow.

1846 was the year he arrived,
He settled here confident his town would thrive.

A school, a new railroad, the town quickly grew,
Becoming the Annawan now known to you!

The first hundred years have been covered before,
But, tonight the last 50 we'd like to explore.

We hope you'll enjoy learning more now at last,
As we share special moments, events from the past.

But, before we get started, let's all proudly stand,
And join now in song, thanking God for this land!

Sesquicentennial Queen Cassie Jackson, 1st runner up Lindsey Ahlgren                Niabi Zoo shows off a lizard from
Bureau Co. Queen Jill VonHolten, Jr. Miss World Festival Jordan Diehl,                  the zoo
Jr. Miss Henry Co Queen Whitney Peterson, Henry Co Fair Queen
Ashley Fehlman, 1st runner up Little Miss Flame Emily Diehl, Little
Miss Flame Allison Yerkey, Sesquicentennial Little Miss Blaze
Claudia VanOpdorp and 1st runner up Little Miss Blaze Rachael
Peterson

Sesquicentennial Queen Cassie Jackson hands out ribbons at                          The Class of 1961's float
the kiddie tractor pull

A beautiful horse and buggy entry in the parade                                                 Sesquicentennial Little Miss Blaze Claudia
                                                                                                                                      VanOpdorp hands out ribbons at the 5K run

Niabi Zoo lets children pet one of the parrots from the zoo                                 An old car entry for the parade

Then Chief Police Marty Burroughs drives the village's new                            A spaghetti supper was held at the Annawan
police car in the parade                                                                                             Community Center

The weekend was a success and one that people will be talking about for many years to come!

Make plans to attend the annual Fun Days event, the first weekend of June - every year!