ELLSWORTH – Mayor Tobey Bane said he’s proud to represent Ellsworth for its “small town, big heart.”
He was at Ellsworth Park Saturday for the village’s 150th (plus one) birthday celebration, a four-day event that highlighted local garage sales, dining options, church events and children’s activities. While the city is 151 years old, the celebration was suspended for a year due to COVID.
Hundreds of hot wheels roll into uptown on a typical Saturday
LeRoy’s Aaron Rennicks, 11, left, works his way through a foam pit Saturday morning at Ellsworth Park. The small McLean County town is celebrating its 150th birthday this weekend. Shown at right is Evan Bane, 9, of Ellsworth.
Brendan Denison
Bane said people were enjoying the festivities “to the max.” He said it took four months to prepare for the party, which was organized with the help of Bonnie Hammons.
Tobey Bane
BRENDAN DENISON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Hammons said they had a lot of good volunteers who took on some of the chores, from getting food and craft vendors to taking out bouncy houses and slides.
“We all had our part to play,” she said, adding that That Kid Place has been a hit with the kids.
He also said that they work well together as a small town.
Bonnie Hammons, left, with granddaughter, Eyla Hammons, 8.
BRENDAN DENISON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Bane said he expects a good turnout for Sunday’s car cruise at 2 p.m., as well as Monday’s chicken and fish dinner from 3 to 5 p.m. And, he’s hoping for a double turnout for this year’s Labor Day parade, which takes place Monday at 2 p.m.
Watch now: Players take turns Sunday at the Bloomington-Normal disc golf tournament
After the chicken and fish dinner there is a cake walk at the town hall at 6pm on Monday.
And following the car show is a night of family fun in the park, starting at 6pm on Sunday.
The mayor concluded: “We’ve had a very busy weekend.”
Bloomington’s Labor Day Parade steps off Monday
Two food vendors were in attendance Saturday, including Cooksville’s The Longbranch Again.
Garage sales will continue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Monday.
That Kid Place set up a mobile sensory museum trailer and a foam machine. Owner Ryan Abbott, of Carlock, said he started his company about four years ago so they could create an environment that gives children sensory input in a place that doesn’t feel like a hospital.
The sensory trailer features 60 feet of tunnels, a two-story tree fort, light-up games and drum pads, Lego containers, geodes and more.
Bloomington’s Labor Day Parade steps off Monday
“Once you get in there, it will blow your mind,” Abbott said. He added that almost 10,000 people participate annually.
That Kid Place has attended many events within 50 miles of Bloomington-Normal, Abbott said. He also said he loves small town events like this one in Ellsworth.
Aaron Rennicks, 11, of LeRoy agreed that the foam pit was his favorite. He said he loves the sound the bubbles make when they come out of his ears.
Parish and pancakes
About 350 people attended a sausage and pancake breakfast Saturday at Ellsworth United Methodist Church, according to congregation member Shelly Hanover. She said she loves the sense of community the event brings.
Hannover
BRENDAN DENISON, THE PANTAGRAPH
The morning meals were hosted by fellow church members Dennis and Vickie Butler. Vickie said they were lucky enough to enjoy people’s company, conversation and good company.
Kelly Higgerson of Ellsworth, center, serves hot dogs to Tyler Sonka of Edwardsville, right, with Angie O’Neall, left, and Gina Dew of Downs, second from right, in a Saturday morning breakfast fundraiser at Ellsworth United Methodist Church.
Brendan Denison
He also said several grocery stores donated supplies to the causeincluding the Normal Meijer, the LeRoy IGA and the Gibson City County Market.
About $1,500 was raised at the breakfast for the Ellsworth Fire Department.
Donald Tutt came from East Peoria and was reunited with his girlfriend Molly Barr, a Bloomington resident who used to live in Ellsworth.
Tutt said when you mix church and community events for a multi-day event, “you get the full view of a community.” He said that doesn’t happen when you only visit for one day.
Donald Tutt, right, and Molly Barr, left.
BRENDAN DENISON, THE PANTAGRAPH
They planned to check out garage sales later that day.
Ellsworth UMC co-pastor Michelle Giermann of Normal said the breakfast turnout exceeded her expectations. He also said that he had missed being able to socialize with each other too much.
Michelle and Wayne Giermann
BRENDAN DENISON, THE PANTAGRAPH
He looked forward to the outdoor services scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Ellsworth Park. Everyone is welcome and attendees should bring a chair.
Giermann said she is very proud of the Ellsworth community because everyone cares about each other, whether they are church members or not.
“It’s beautiful how everyone takes care of each other,” she said.
This article has been updated with additional information from Ellsworth United Methodist Church.
Watch now: The American Legion’s legacy run is coming to Bloomington
Watch now: American Legion Legacy Run cyclists roll through Bloomington
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The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-2motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-3motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-4motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-5motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-6motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-7motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-8motorcycle.JPG
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-9motorcycle.JPG
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness for post-9/11 veterans and their children, rolled through Bloomington on Wednesday, August 24 .
Drew Zimmerman
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
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