Northwood is trying to build some tradition.

It isn’t that they don’t have any, but rather, that they don’t have an annual celebration.

This weekend, they are hoping to start one with the first-annual Founders’ Day celebration.

&uot;We hope to make this an annual event,&uot; said Verla Perry, a member of the city’s special events committee, which planned the event. &uot;I think it will be something for everyone.&uot;

The Founder’s Day event will be more than a typical town festival.

Perry said that two local women wrote a musical on the history of the town.

&uot;It’s a musical tribute to Northwood,&uot; Perry said.

She said the show begins with the story of the settlers coming to the town, and it outlines important events in Northwood’s history.

&uot;It’s kind of cute,&uot; she said.

Another draw to the event will be a corn-husking contest. Perry said former Iowa state champions will be attending the event and prizes will be given to the fastest husker.

Town celebrities will also have a chili cook-off, for which visitors can buy a ticket to eat all 11 groups’ chilis and judge them.

Throughout the weekend, the town will have crazy days sales and the chamber of commerce will be giving out &uot;fun money,&uot; which Perry said can be used to buy items at Sunday’s auction.

Events Saturday will include a street fair, food booths, history demonstrations, the corn-husking competitions, a pork barbeque lunch, a three-on-three basketball tournament, the chili cook off, live music and a free outdoor movie.

Sunday will include an ecumenical service, history demonstrations, finals for corn husking, a beef barbeque dinner, an ice cream social, the auction and live music.

The event is one of many that the events committee is planning for Northwood, but Perry said they are hoping the Founder’s Day festival will become one of the largest draws.

Perry said the event is just getting its legs, but she wants it to be a great annual festival.

&uot;We think there will be something for everyone,&uot; she said. &uot;We’ve got a full two days.&uot;

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox@albertleatribune.com, or call 379-3439.)