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Seneca's Ridge and Valley Rally offers plenty to entertain
rally for web

For the spectators lining Highway 27 at 11 a.m. on July 11 in Seneca, there will be a moment when the line of tractors stretches to the southwest, breaching the horizon created by the hill on the way out of town. It’s an iconic moment of farming pride that can only be seen at the annual Ridge and Valley Rally parade.

But things get underway much earlier in the day. Each year’s rally begins with a 5K/10K walk-run at 7:30 a.m. The top three male and female runners in the 5K and 10K will receive medals.

The parade line-up goes on until a half-hour before the event. Entry is only $10 per person and $5 for children 14 and under.

The race begins and ends between the Seneca School softball and baseball fields on Taylor Ridge Road.

At 11 a.m. the parade will head out from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church heading northeast on Highway 27 to Taylor Ridge Road next to the school.

Registration for the parade is at 10:30 at the St. Patrick’s church parking lot.

After the parade, head over to the Seneca Town Hall for the Seneca Community Club’s Smoked Pork Chop Dinner or to bid on a homemade pie at the pie auction. All the proceeds go toward the group’s charitable activities. If you miss out on the dinner and pie, concession sales will be available to make sure you don’t go hungry!

After dinner, kick back and watch the antique tractor pull as competitors demonstrate their skill in getting the best performance from their machines. If you feel the need to participate, show up at the beginning and help out as human weight on the sled. The pull begins at 1 p.m. next to the Town Hall.

A number of tournaments are planned for those looking for a bit of competition. Euchre and bean bag tournaments start at 4 p.m. Sign-up is the day of the rally.

The volleyball tournament will go on all day.

There will be games for children following the parade and a bouncy house will be open throughout the day for play.

A flea market will also be held in the town hall parking lot. The flea market will be ongoing throughout the day.

If you are still feeling lively come evening, a dance at the town hall will begin at 8 p.m., ending at midnight. Music will be provided by DJ Slam of Prairie du Chien.

The Seneca Community Club coordinates the Ridge and Valley Rally.

The Community Club uses the money (raised by the event) for improvements in Seneca - for example, flower baskets and Christmas decorations. They also make donations to area organizations and offer scholarships to graduating seniors from Seneca High School.

For more information about Ridge and Valley Rally events or to volunteer, contact Dwana Dunning at 734-9440 or email SenecaCommunityClub@yahoo.com. You can also find information online at sss.senecarally.weebly.com.

The Ridge and Valley Rally King and Queen will be announced in the July 9 edition of the Crawford County Independent & Kickapoo Scout.