Event Details & CowTown Hoe Down Schedule

📍 Location: Morton County Fairgrounds, New Salem, North Dakota
📅 Dates: Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20, 2025

We’re so excited to welcome you to a weekend full of laughter, memories, and togetherness.
The Matthiesen Family Reunion takes place during New Salem’s beloved CowTown Hoe Down, making it the perfect setting 

to celebrate both family and community.

We’ll have a reserved event room at the fairgrounds available all weekend as our reunion headquarters.

The space will be:

Open and accessible to all family members
Great for visiting, relaxing, and escaping the summer sun
Conveniently located near food vendors and CowTown festivities
Equipped with restrooms
 

📍 Location: Ramada by Wyndham – 1400 Interchange Ave., Bismarck, ND
📞 Call (701) 258-7000 to reserve — Mention Matthiesen Family Reunion for the group rate
🚗 Approx. 30-minute drive from New Salem

4:30 PM – Doors Open
5:00 PM – Dinner Served
Immediately Following – Matthiesen Family Auction

Our Saturday night dinner is a time-honored tradition.
It’s one of the highlights of the weekend, bringing everyone together for food, laughter, and some good-natured auction competition.

Join us Sunday morning for a hearty pancake breakfast at the fairgrounds, lovingly prepared and served by the men of the Matthiesen family.
(Aprons optional. Enthusiasm strongly encouraged.)

🎭 Parade Theme: “It’s Time for a Nursery Rhyme”
Dress up, join in, or cheer from the sidelines—this charming small-town event is packed with fun for all ages.

3:00 PM – Tractor Trek (Departs from Fairgrounds)
📞 Braden Klusmann – 701-390-3009

6:00 PM – Car, Motorcycle & Tractor Show
📍 Main Street, City Auditorium & Capital Credit Union
🍔 Water, fruit, burgers & beer garden available

8:00 PM – 12:00 AM – Live Music: Trip Wire (Main Stage on Main Street)

8:00 – 10:00 AM – Peace Church Youth Breakfast (“Udder” the Tent)
10:00 AM – Community Lunch (City Auditorium)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Arts & Crafts Fair (City Auditorium)
📞 Melissa Davis – 701-527-3016

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Hoe Down Rib Competition (Cash Prizes)
📞 Jeff Schroeder – 701-220-8659 (Register by July 13)

10:30 AM – Parade: “It’s Time for a Nursery Rhyme”
🎖️ Prizes: 1st – $200 | 2nd – $150 | 3rd – $100

Following Parade – Soap Box Derby
📞 Paul Wolff – 701-220-3876

12:00 PM – Cornhole Tournament Registration (Next to The Field Bar)
$20/team | Limit: 32 teams | Prizes for top 3

1:00 PM – Cornhole Tournament Begins

12:00 – 4:00 PM – Water Slide, Jumper & Obstacle Course (Auditorium Lawn)

12:30 PM – Cow Bingo (Hosted by NSAHS Band)
1:30 PM – Calf Bottle Relay & Cow Chip Throwing
1:00 – 6:00 PM – Free Swimming (New Salem Pool)
Sponsored by New Salem Park Board

2:30 PM – Lawn Tractor Pull (Weigh-in: 12:30–2:00 PM)
📞 Tim Doll – 701-400-4696

3:00 PM – Scavenger Hunt (Grades 3–7) & Duck Race (FFA Chapter)
4:00 – 7:00 PM – Chicken Supper (Hosted by New Salem Fire Dept.)
7:00 – 8:00 PM – Live Music: Alexis Bachler
8:30 PM – 12:00 AM – Live Music: 8th Hour (Main Street)
🚫 No coolers or glass bottles allowed

10:00 AM – Gates Open for Demolition Derby
1:00 PM – Demolition Derby (Morton County Fairgrounds)
🎟️ Concessions available
🔫 Gun Raffle Drawing during event
🎉 Hosted by the New Salem Civic Club

This is your time to reconnect, relax, and enjoy a weekend free from tight schedules and full of heart.
Whether you’re chasing toddlers, catching up with cousins, or busting a move on Main Street... we’re just glad you’re here.

Bring your stories, your smile, and your spirit! We’ll take care of the rest.

We can’t wait to welcome you with open arms!