Jul 28, 2021 | From Previous Years
The Harlan Days committee is pleased to announce that long time Harlan Days volunteer, Elmer Strautman, will be the 2021 Honorary Citizen. Elmer began volunteering with his high school baseball team by picking up trash at the festival. Then from 1957-1965, Elmer helped organize the Harlan Days Basketball Tourney. During those years he taught at Harlan High School, teaching Biology, Physical Education, Health, and Driver’s Training. He also coached Basketball, Baseball, Track, and Golf at Harlan High School. Elmer grew up in the city of Rising Sun, which is in Southern Indiana, and graduated from Rising Sun High School. He continued his education at Franklin College where he graduated in 1975. He married his wife, Ronda, on December 21, 1957, at Salem United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne where they still attend today. They now reside on Wood Lane in New Haven which is halfway between Harlan and Woodlan High School. Elmer has 2 sons, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Elmer is now retired and enjoys playing golf and watching both basketball and baseball games. Remembering the great number of people that came to Harlan Days is one of his fondest memories of the festival. It’s a wonderful place to see people whom you have not seen in a long time! Harlan truly appreciates all the time that Elmer has donated to volunteer at Harlan Days, and he is still a great asset to our community. So come on out to the Harlan Days Grand Parade on Saturday, August 7th and make sure to say ‘thanks’ to Elmer for all he’s done to help our community over the years! -Harlan...
Jun 26, 2021 | From Previous Years
Youth Parade Join us as we kick off the 2021 Harlan Days festival with our annual Youth Parade on Thursday, August 5th at 6pm. Ages 0-15 years old can participate and will be judged on: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Best Overall Best Design and Runner Up Best Idea and Runner Up Come up with a theme, walk or ride, dress up if you’d like, and be creative!! FREE ride tickets for participating! Extra ride tickets to the winners. Meet by diamond 4 to join in. Sponsored by: The Harlan Christian Youth Center Kickball Tournament Then join us later at 7pm on Thursday for the kindergarten through sixth grade kickball tournament. Meet under the lights of diamond 4 to play. Fun, free-t-shirts and ride tickets to be had. Sponsored by: The Harlan Christian Youth...
Jun 26, 2021 | From Previous Years
In 1853, the Reicheldfer clan platted out the town of Harlan. In 1953, the community celebrated their Centennial. There was a tractor pull, parade, cotton candy, a watermelon tent, the infamous Skunk Mountain Boys made their appearance, but one thing was missing. Finally, after another 68 years, that deficiency has been corrected. Doyle Gerig, much in the spirit of his father, Don Gerig, suggested that Harlan needed a flag of their own. In this year’s parade, right up there with our American Flag, the newly unfurled flag will be displayed, and carried by Tyler Friend. Tyler is in the 6th grade at Woodlan, and lives in Harlan. A contest was held in April, 2021 for the purpose of designing and creating a Flag specifically to honor the 168 years of Harlan history. The many entries poured into Harlan Christian Youth Center, Inc, and were presented to a most distinguished panel of three judges. They have asked to remain anonymous, but certainly made a fantastic choice in selecting Tyler’s entry. The 3 x 5’ flag in three colors, blue, gold, and white, was made by our friends at Clover Printing. Surrounded by 8 gold stars, the fabled Harlan Hawk flies unchallenged to this day. Come out to the Harlan Days parade at 10:00 AM on Saturday August 7 and join Tyler in the annual Harlan Days...
Jun 25, 2021 | From Previous Years
Don’t forget about our annual Harlan Days Cruise In coming up on Saturday August 7th! Food, drinks, dash plaques, door prizes, games, as well as top 30 and peoples choice awards. All happening at the old Harlan Elementary school at 12616 Spencerville Rd. $10 entry fee. Registration begins at 3pm with awards at 7:30pm. For more information or to sponsor a door prize, call 260-633-8774 or...
