Railroad Days this weekend

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SANBORN, Iowa — It started out of the house of Mrs. M.M. Burns with 40 books. Several years and locations later, the Sanborn Library had a building to call its own.

Built in 1912, the original Sanborn Library was created through the donations of Andrew Carnegie.

“We were in a Carnegie building,” said Alvina Reitsma, co-director of the library with Denise Bohnet. “Five years ago we built the new building. The Carnegie has been turned into a historical museum.”

The library offers a multitude of summer reading programs and book clubs for all ages, as well as afterschool programs.

“Between books and movies we have over 20,000 items to check out,” Reitsma said. “We also have a card catalog and seven computers available to the public.”

They are also starting the process of getting E-books.

“It takes lots of money and lots of time, and we’re just starting the process now. Hopefully in the next six months or so we can offer that to the public,” Reitsma said.

Now the library is celebrating its 100th year Anniversary at this year’s Railroad Days.

“We have a float in the parade, and we are also serving brats, hot dogs and hamburgers at noon (Saturday),” Reitsma said. “We’ll also be having an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.”

A schedule of events for Railroad Days is as follows:

Friday

9 a.m., antique tractor ride

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sanborn Preservation flea market

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m., free swim at Sanborn Aquatic Center

11:30 a.m., Top Dog Contest

5 to 9 p.m., Sanborn Chamber of Commerce

5 to7 p.m., O’Brien County Cattlemen

6 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m., Happy the Dog Ministries

7 p.m., popcorn stand opens

7 to 8 p.m., The Magic of Mike Prestby

8 p.m. to midnight, teen dance

9:30 p.m., family movie night

9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. karaoke

Saturday

6 to 10 a.m., Mason’s pancake breakfast

6 to 10 a.m., Methodist Church bake sale

8 a.m., 5K run/one-mile Fun Run and Walk

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sanborn Preservation flea market

10:30 a.m., parade

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sanborn Chamber of Commerce

10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., independent area vendor flea market

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., lunch in City Park

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sanborn Public Library’s 100th anniversary celebration

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m., free swim at Sanborn Aquatic Center

1 to 4 p.m., children’s petting zoo

1 to 4 p.m., Special K’z the Clown

1 to 4 p.m. Gee Willie Entertainment

1 to 4 p.m. Knocks mini train & Ferris wheel

1 to 4 p.m., Vander Haag’s Truck Museum

1 to 4 p.m., History on the Move trailer

1 to 4 p.m., tractor show

1 to 4 p.m., tractor and wagon rides

4 p.m., Kid’s Pedal Pull

9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Firemen’s Street Dance

Sunday

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., omelet breakfast

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sanborn Chamber of Commerce

10 a.m., disc golf tournament

Tags: railroad days, news, weekend