As we approach the 3 month mark before the 3rd annual Holland Roundup Revival, we are beginning to plan and organize. We are reaching out for support now, so that we can expand the Roundup with more events, demonstrations, and bigger music headliners, with a focus on keeping the event as a grassroots rural celebration. With the Roundup happening on Columbus Day/ Indigenous People’s Day, it feels appropriate to have this Benefit on the date of the birth of our country as an independent nation. As the Roundup celebrates and promotes our interdependence as a rural community, the Benefit is celebrating our valley’s interdependence with the rest of the country. Although both relationships are far from perfect, the events are intended to bring us together to raise our awareness and our connectendness through a shared experience at a historical gathering location, the Holland Store.
The Race
The Benefit will start with a much shorter version of the Roundup Run into the Woods. It is a race around the triangle of land around the store, bordered by Kendall Road, Althouse Creek Road, and Browntown Road. It is a 1 ½ mile loop, beginning and ending at the Holland Storefront. The race begins at 1 pm. There is a $5 entry, and the top overall winner gets the cash pot. Winners of the separate age categories will receive prizes as well, including: a one-month membership to Apex Mixed Martial Arts plus an Apex MMA T-shirt, a beautiful hammock donated by Papa’s Sporting Goods, and more!
Barbecue
We will be barbecuing in the tradition for the Roundup, with local wood instead of manufactured, purchased charcoal. I will be using a variety of hardwood, in batches, to cook strips of beef, chicken, and sausage. Plates will be offered for a suggested donation and will include potato salad or coleslaw. Beverages will be available for donation as well.
Activities
We will have a DJ playing music over the sound system starting at 1, until the live music performances start at 3:30. There will also be a basketball halfcourt setup for shootarounds and pickup games. Horseshoes will be set up in their traditonal spot in the grassy area by the firepit. The afternoon temperatures will probably be in the 90’s, so there will also be sprinklers in the grassy area for kids (and grown-ups!) to cool off in.
What to Bring
Bring chairs, sunbrellas, water (we will have a water dispenser as well), towels for showers if you are a runner, sunblock, sunhats, cash for admission and food.
Music
Our music lineup has been led by Conner Flowe, a local musical artist with a blossoming career and a deep commitment to community involvement. Her headlining performance will be preceded by Annabella Eisner and her friends and family in the opening set. Following Conner will be the band Oddspellz, taking us into the evening. Both bands share the locally renowned bass guitarist, Patrick Meyer, who will be playing his last show in the valley before moving to Washington State.
Fireworks
Fireworks: of course! We will have space for a communal fireworks display with good legal fireworks. We’ll have some, and you should bring some if you have them, too!
The End
The event will end with the fireworks, but coffee and water will be available for a sobering hour from 10-11pm. The sobering hour is a great way to anchor your memories of the day, seal connections, and make it home safe and end the night peacefully. If you live within walking distance, or if you have a designated driver, you could party a little longer, of course.
