SPRING VALLEY – It’s been 80 years since the “Big Flood” ripped Spring Valley apart and almost washed it off the map, but the town persevered and will celebrate the dam that now saves it from floods at the 54

th annual Dam Days Sept. 16-18.

Pierce County Historical Association will host a ribbon cut- ting ceremony Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Spring Valley Community Center for its 1942 flood exhibit. The gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. with the official ribbon cutting at 7 p.m. The exhibit centers around a detailed timeline of events documented by Dr. James S. Vedder, who experienced the flood while in town getting his wife, Lorene (Graslie) and their eldest son settled with her parents in Spring Valley before he left to serve in WWII as a doctor in the US Navy Medical Corp. Also featured in the exhibit are many personal accounts collected by Don Blegen several years back. The exhibit will be open noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. This year’s Dam Days button photo (courtesy of the Doug Blegen Historical Collection) shows the aftermath of the 1942 flood. On Sept. 16, minor flooding occurred and saturated the soil. On Sept. 17, a mix of high humidity and Arctic air caused a cloud burst dumping several inches of rain on the area. The Eau Galle raged over its banks, covering McKay Avenue with 12 feet of water. Homes were washed away and businesses damaged. The south end of town saw more than 20 feet of water cover the landscape, centering around a railroad bridge that caused debris to pile up.

The Eau Galle dam was completed in 1968, keeping the Eau Galle River from flooding the valley and the namesake of the town festival. Dam Days buttons are available at local businesses. The celebration is sponsored by the Spring Valley Lions Club. Below is a schedule of weekend events, beginning with community garage sales Wednesday through Saturday.

Food stands downtown: Lion’s Club World Famous Hamburgers, Snow Valley Riders brats and chicken, and specialty food stands, Friday through Sunday Bounce house and face painting, lot behind Mooney’s Rusty Horse, Friday through Sunday Mini golf, playground north of the Spring Valley Municipal Building (E121 S. Second St.), Friday and Saturday Friends of the Library rawe baskets Friday, Sept. 16 Blood drive , 12-6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church (S520

Church Ave.)

Home football game, SV vs. Colfax, 7 p.m.

Music by Polar Red, 5-7 p.m., Sneaker’s Pub & Eatery

(S119 McKay Ave.)

Music by 40 Fingers, 7:30-11:30 p.m., north of the Lion’s food stand on McKay Avenue. Playing hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Music by Allison Dyg, 8 p.m. to midnight, The Spillway (S225 McKay Ave.)

Saturday, Sept. 17 11th annual SV Community Cancer Fund Poker Walk/ Run, registration begins at 7:30 a.m., Emmaus Church (S200 Sabin Ave.) The walk/run begins at 8:30 a.m. for 2.5 miles or 5K (3.1 miles). Suggested donation is $25 per adult, $15 per child or $50 per family. Pre-registration is required to guarantee a T-shirt, available on the SVC-CF Facebook page or by emailing [email protected] Also returning will be Facepainting by Denise.

Snake Reptile Program, 9 a.m., playground north of the SV Municipal Building. Sponsored by the Spring Valley Public Library

Bubbles Unlimited, 10 a.m., north grassy field on Sabin

Avenue..

Inaugural Pop-up Market on McKay, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come acquaint yourself with unique local artists, crafters, entrepreneurs and bakers. Located at various green spaces on McKay Avenue.

Empty Bowls, 10 a.m. to noon, McKay Avenue. Pottery demonstrations, ceramic sale, chalk drawing competition, snacks and more. All proceeds will go to the SV Backpack Program and the SV Community Food Pantry. Sponsored by the SV High School Art Department.

Flag retirement ceremony, 10:30 a.m., Spring Valley Dentistry (W502 Highway 29). Hosted by SV/Elmwood Boy Scout Troop 9145 and SV American Legion Post 227.

26th Annual Classic Car/Truck/Tractor Show, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Spring Valley Senior Living & Health Care (S830 Westland Drive). Registration begins at 9 a.m., trophies presented at 2 p.m. All participants welcome. Dash plaques, trophies, free will offering for food, no entry fee.

Magic Show, 11 a.m., playground north of SV Municipal Building. Sponsored by SV Public Library.

Youth Olympics, softball field by the dam. Registration starts at 11 a.m. For children in pre-school through sixth grade.

Bean Bag Toss Tournament, The Spillway (S225 McKay Ave.) Registration starts at noon, tournament at 1 p.m.

Garden Tractor Pull, 12-5 p.m., Sabin Avenue. Sponsored by A Plus Auto and SV Auto Parts (Car Quest).

Dunk Tank, 12-5 p.m., playground north of SV Municipal

Building.

Bingo, 12-2 p.m., old Ford garage. Purchase bingo cards at noon, games start at 1 p.m. Sponsored by American Legion Post 227.

Bicycle Races, 1:30 p.m., McKay Avenue in front of Sneak- er’s. For ages 4-12.

Classic Vehicle Motorcade, 2:30 p.m. (approximate time), starting at SV Health & Rehab and ending on McKay Avenue.

Street Dance, 5-9 p.m., McKay Avenue. Music by Rizer (classic rock and blues). Sponsored by SV Lions Club.

Folliez Performance, 7 p.m., SV Stagehands Theatre (S234 McKay Ave.) Interested performers should contact Jae Anderson at 715-772-4684.

Street Dance, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., McKay Avenue. Music by Half Shebang. Sponsored by area businesses.

Sunday, Sept. 18 50/50 Rawe, tickets sold Sunday during the parade. Drawing will take place at the parade announcer’s stand after the parade; must be present to win. Sponsored by SV Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus.

Miss Spring Valley Queen’s Tea, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brother Michael Catholic Center (S104 Sabin Ave.)

Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, noon to 1:30 p.m., McKay Avenue. Registration begins at noon, pull at 12:30 p.m. Sponsored by SV Dentistry and SHALL BE Express Trucking.

50/50 Duck Race, noon, Handy Andy Park. Sponsored by SV American Legion Post 227.

Grand Parade, 2 p.m., starting at North McKay Avenue and traveling south. $50 fee for political and commercial units. Contact Marsha Brunkhorst to register at 715-778-4382 or [email protected]