The Owen Centennial Committee is looking at a number of events for next summer to celebrate Owen’s centennial as a city. The biggest project right now is the centennial book, which requires a lot of coordination to put together. Ads have been sold and businesses and organizations still have about a month to get their ads and histories included in the book. The committee is also pre-selling shirts to raise funds.

Next year the actual anniversary date is April 30, but events will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025. There will be a tree planting and no party would be complete without cake and ice cream. The committee had planned to offer a dinner theatre, but those plans fell through, so they are now looking a doing a local talent show/open mic afternoon to showcase some of what is good about Owen. The time capsule that was packed in 2000 will be opened and a new one will be packed for the next anniversary.

During the Owen Fair, a Living History tour is being planned for the afternoon. This will involve traveling to various locations in the city where people will tell you some of the history that has occurred over the last 100 years.

In conjunction with the Car Show on August 16, 2025 there will be a Lumberjack Show at the Mill Pond, reminding Owen of it’s start as a lumber mill town.

A couple of new events are also being discussed. The committee would like to do a Jail and Bail fundraiser during the Business Expo April 5. Start thinking about who you would like to lock up. Having a band or two or three or four in the park along with fireworks is being looked at as a possibility for July 4. More activities might be planned depending on how much money can be raised and how many organizations want to participate.

The plan is for most activities to be free to the public as this is the community’s party.

In the meantime, follow Owen Centennial 2025 on Facebook for the latest updates. The Centennial Committee can also be contacted by email at owencentennial2025@gmail.com.