Immaculate Conception Parish in Loose Creek will celebrate its 175th anniversary on Saturday with an array of activities and organizers encourage everyone to come out and participate.

“This will be a full day of fun and history,” said committee member Caleb Bax. “We’re excited to hold this event and showcase not only Immaculate Conception but the town of Loose Creek.”

Immaculate Conception of Loose Creek was founded by Fr. Ferdinand Helias in 1835. The present church building was completed in 1877. A monument to the original parishioners, dedicated in 1992, shows the names and towns from which the first congregants originated.

The parish is also blessed to have a school, which has been served by the School Sisters of Notre Dame since 1891.

Bax noted this is a day in which many people will be reunited. “People that have moved away from Loose Creek will come back to celebrate,” he said. “It’s going to be a great day and we encourage everyone to come out.”

The day will begin with a parade at 10:30 a.m., starting at the top of CR 402 and following Main Street down past the church and out. At 11, a Blessing of Celebration by Rev. Anthony R. Rinaldo will be followed by a rosary balloon release.

Food service begins at 11:30 and the menu will include German pot roast, fried chicken, bratwurst, hamburger/cheeseburger, German potato salad, grilled vegetables, desserts, and a soda/refreshment stand.

The Mulekicker cloggers will perform at 11:30, at which time games, the beer garden, and the museum will open.

The 175th Colonial Games include “Milk the Cow,” “Flip the Can,” “Ring the Cowbell,” “Flip the Flap Jack,” “The Farmer Lost His Eggs,” “Buckets and Biscuits,” beanbag and rope-ring tosses, panning for gold, a fish pond (with cane poles), a cakewalk, and cornhole games for kids.

“Barbara Backes arranged all the games and she has gone above and beyond,” said Bax. “There will be games many people haven’t seen or tried.”

A replica of a one-room school will provide a photo opportunity, and a replica of a country store as presented by The Hatchery will be part of demonstrations from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the rectory porch.

Also on hand will be face-painting, clowns, a bin of corn, marbles, jacks, checkers, tic-tac-toe, washboard and tub, pie-throwing, kettle corn, homemade soap, quilting demonstrations, and an Osage Indians teepee.

Various contests will also be held, including a sack race, tug-of-war, three-legged race, egg-on-a-spoon race, roll-a-hoop race, a stick pull, the limbo, and a hula-hoop contest.

Sidewalk chalk drawings will be done by Travis Nelson.

At noon, a cemetery “Voices from the Past” tour will showcase a look at the lives of Theodora “Dora” Agnes Ehren Boessen, portrayed by her granddaughter, Linda Boessen Kress, and Elizabeth (Patten) Bornhoft -Peil -Schlangenstein, portrayed by her great-granddaughter, Caroline Brandt Winkelmann Pearon. Hubert Backes will also present the history of the parish cemetery.

Frankenstein native Dr. Gary Kremer, executive director of The State Historical Society of Missouri, will present the history of the parish at 1 p.m. in the church.

Mass will be held at 3 p.m. and all other activities will close during the service but food, the museum, and book sales will continue.

“The Growing of Loose Creek” history books will be available for sale all day.

Music will be performed at 12:30 by the Osage Angels, at 4:30 by the Osage Travelers, and at 7:30 by Point 08.

Everyone is asked to park at the Loose Creek Community Center, with shuttle service to be provided to and from the church. Handicapped parking will be available.