Old Settlers
Thanks to our Century and Pioneer sponsors for supporting Old Settlers!
The countdown to the 2025 Old Settlers is on!
Mark it down for June 20-22, 2025.
Live Music: Here's the lineup for bands in the Old Settlers beer garden:
Friday 5-7: Grayson Krause
Friday 8-11: Jack Dunker and the Ellman Brothers
Saturday Noon-2: Saul Contreras
Saturday 3-6: The Midwest Message
Saturday 8-midnight: Red Delicious
Sunday 5-9: Angie Kriz and the Polkatoons
Grayson Krause and Jack Dunker, two musicians with local connections to North Bend, are back by popular demand after rocking 2024 Old Settlers. Last year Saul Contreras stepped in for a guest performance with a band, absolutely nailing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” earning his own spot in this year’s lineup. The Midwest Message and Red Delicious will play the hits Saturday evening while Old Settlers mainstay Angie Kriz brings her polka show to Sunday evening.
T-shirts: The official T-shirts of Old Settlers 2025 are out. You can pre-order your shirt by clicking here to be picked up Old Settlers weekend (for orders placed by June 16). You may also purchase shirts at Old Settlers. Look for the T-shirt trailer on the old basketball court in the park, east of the pool. T-shirts are produced by NBC graduate Eliss Hall.
Sign up: Here's some Old Settlers events that take advance registration or preparation:
• Register for the Old Settlers 5k or 1 mile road run by clicking here.
• Register your two-person team for the Old Setters cornhole tournament by e-mailing NorthBendBags@gmail.com.
• The Old Settlers parade requires no pre-registration. Just show up and sign up in the NBC-HS parking lot between 12:30 and 1:30 Sunday. This year's theme is "Sign of the Times," inspired by North Bend's new sign along Highway 30.
• The Old Settlers kickball tournament is under new management. Contact Randi Mimick at 507-829-9686 to sign up your team.
• Back by popular demand after its debut last year is the Old Settlers Hot Dog Eating Contest. There will be two youth divisions, ages 11 and younger (pigs in a blanket) and ages 12-16 (hot dogs) competing for 5 minutes each. Winners get free wristbands to the DC Lynch Carnival. Youth divisions can sign up for free to be drawn for competition at the contest. The Open Division (ages 17+) is a 10-minute contest and requires a $10 non-refundable entry. Before the contest 10 names will be drawn from the entries to complete. The more you enter, the greater chance of being drawn. Once again, the prize is a whole processed hog! Enter by Venmoing @NorthBendEagle with "hot dog contest" as the reason, or stop by the Eagle to enter. Entries will also be accepted at the contest.
Highlights: Here's some Old Settlers 2025 events that you won't want to miss:
• Glory Days Greased Pig Rodeo: This year's throwback Glory Days event will be a greased pig contest Saturday evening at 6:30. There will be four age divisions from ages 10 through adult. Winners of the youth divisions win a choice of a carnival bracelet or $30 cash. The 21-and-over division will win beer garden drink tokens. There is a $10 entry fee to prove you have the agility to track down and pick up a greased pig. Sign up at the event near the beer garden.
• Kids water fights: This year there will be a miniature version of the fire department water fights that have been held in recent year. Kids are welcome to take their turn at the hose and battle to push the can their way on Locust Street by the pool starting Sunday at 3:30.
• The Heritage Trail debuted at last year’s Centennial Old Settlers returns. Signs detailing the history of North Bend’s buildings, historical sites and people will be set up around town and at Woodland Cemetery. Guided historical tours will be led by Judy Kleopfer, with the bus loading from the west side of the park at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (or after the parade) Sunday.
Unlike last year, advance tickets are not required, though each free tour will be capped at about 35 people.
• Studio A Dance Exhibition: Sunday's featured entertainment is a dance exhibtion from the local dancers of Studio A. The show begins at 4 p.m. in the park Sunday.
• Downtown Saturday: Downtown will be a hub of activitis Saturday morning and afternoon. The Haynes Military Museum will be set up in the VFW Hall. The Old Settlers Car Show will be going on on Seventh Street and the Grand Passage Outdoor Expo will have games, exhibits and vendors around the city auditorium.
• Old Settlers Craft and Vedor Fair: Come seek out homemade gifts, decor and more at the city park Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Keep up!
Follow Old Settlers updates and announcements by liking the North Bend Old Settlers Facebook page.
Stay up to date with announcements, schedule changes and updates during Old Settlers weekend on the North Bend Area Chamber of Commerce Twitter feed.
See Old Settlers 2024 pictures here.
See Old Settlers 2023 pictures here.
See Old Settlers 2022 pictures here.
Old Settlers is
June 20-22, 2025
Old Settlers is the annual town celebration of North Bend, dating back to 1889 when it was a gathering of the area's original settlers and their families. Since then, the Old Settlers Picnic has evolved into three days of festivities, rides, reunions and fun. Old Settlers is organized by the North Bend Area Chamber of Commerce.
In 2024, North Bend celebrated the Centennial Old Settlers, a celebration that has been hosted annually since 1924. Record crowds came out to enjoy a wonderful weekend of rides, music, games, and general merriment.
Fun
There's fun to be had for all ages at Old Settlers.
The Old Settlers schedule is published in the weeks preceding the celebration, but annual features include:
• DC Lynch Carnival Rides
• Live music
• Sunday Parade
• Car Show
• Welcome Home Barbecue
• Wine and Beer Tasting
• Pizza Feed
• Alumni Golf Tournament
• Beer Garden
• Baseball Games
• Kids Games and Races
• Kids Tractor Pull
• Community Worship Service
• Kickball Tournament
• Cornhole Tournament
• Bingo
• Food Stands
• Plus Lots More!