Homecoming is something Gilbert Plains residents haven't had since 2016, so there's no way they were going to let mother nature delay it even more. One of the Parkland's cornerstone events, Homecoming sees a lot of street vendors, food trucks, and community, at the same time as the Grandview Ag Society Fair & Rodeo, to make the week that much better.
Bryanne Bates, Marketing Coordinator for Gilbert Plains Homecoming, said attendees can still expect a packed schedule this year.
"Homecoming is something that happens not every year, so far it's kind of been a every ten year thing, the last time we placed Homecoming events in Gilbert Plains was 2016, so it's been ten years since our last event like this...Friday we're still going to have the Ag Society Parade and our main street dance, where [attendees] can hear both live and played music, as well as a chainsaw carving auction," said Bates.
Some of this year's events include pancake breakfasts Thursday through Saturday, Thursday's Street Market at the Community Hall from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the Grandview Ag Society Parade at 3:00 PM on Friday, and Saturday's Classic Car Show at the Elementary School Ground from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Click here to view a full updated schedule for Homecoming.
Despite lots of setbacks and complications due to flooding and heavy rainfall recently, and a State of Local Emergency being declared in Gilbert Plains, the event is still expected to take place. Bates said she feels that's just what the community needs right now.
"We have to take very little off of our schedule due to the recent flooding, so that's really exciting that we were still able to put on a lot of the big events...we thought Gilbert Plains maybe needed a day or two to come together and maybe stop thinking about the flooding, and just come together as a community and work together, and maybe just bring some hope back," said Bates.
Gilbert Plains Homecoming is set for Wednesday, July 8th through Sunday, July 12th, featuring a lot of events, in all corners of the town.
