Known throughout the area as one of the best celebrations in the region, the festivities actually begin on Friday night with the Kids Parade starting at 6 p.m.

Following the Kids Parade there will be a free meal and Kickball games for children ages 4-7, and 8 through 12 years old.

On Saturday, the parade begins at 10 a.m., and all entries must be registered by 9:30 a.m. The parade will begin with the colors presented by Legion Post #633, and Grand Marshalls of the parade will be Bob and Linda Solberg. One of the parade highlights will be the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa, who will be in the parade for the second year.

Activities after the parade will be centered around the city park, with lunch served by community churches in the shelter. There will be the Lions Bingo and a Cake Walk starting shortly after the end of the parade. Games, a train ride and moonwalks will all be provided for kids to enjoy.

There will be foot races in the park, and music in the Gazebo. In addition to the Mackenzie Highlanders, there will also be music performed by the Ron Smith Band.

The Hamilton County Crime Stoppers will provide a free nickel scramble in the park at 1 p.m., and the Little Princess program will be held at 1:30.

Sweets will be available from the WHH 4-H Club providing snow cones at the north end of the shelter house, Sweet Treats Ice Cream and roasted nuts from Jewell and the Talcott Mercantile which will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Coffee and ice cream.

At the end of the afternoon, as a special tribute to the 250th Celebration, the Williams Lions Club is sponsoring a free concert from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Williams ball diamond, with Jack Jensen Wibholm providing a concert. The Cheesy Smoker food truck will be on hand to provide food.

The 250th celebration will be capped off with a gigantic firework display near the ball diamond that will begin at about 9:45 p.m.

All the events are coordinated and paid for by the businesses, residents and friends of the Williams Community.

Cash donations help cover the expense of the fireworks and other activities during the event each year. Anyone who would like to contribute can support this annual project by mailing a check to Bob Keane at P.O. Box 43 in Williams 50271.