2017 Holland Community Fest all about Holland Hysteria
The Town of Holland’s love of basketball will be celebrated at the 2017 edition of the Holland Community Fest.
The Holland Events Committee, Inc. announced the 2017 fest theme as “Holland Hysteria – Celebrating the Town and Its Game.”
Along with the traditional foods, contests, bands and entertainment, this year’s fest edition will include recognition of Holland High School basketball coaches, players, cheerleaders, and managers at the opening ceremony.
Dutchmen basketball’s inaugural season was the 1916-17 school year, and the organizing committee thought an appropriate theme would be one celebrating the 100th anniversary of organized basketball in Holland.
The fest’s opening ceremony will celebrate former Dutchmen coaches, players, managers, and cheerleaders. A Holland Dutchman Championship Banner will be unveiled. The banner will later be displayed in the Holland Elementary School gymnasium.
The 2017 fest ornament, limited to 100, will also have a basketball theme. The traditional auctioning of ornament number 1 will be held during the ceremony (ornaments will be available to the public immediately following the opening ceremony). An auction featuring basketball memorabilia will follow. A social hour for the guests of honor will be held following the opening event.
Former Dutchman player Terry Rademacher will lead the opening festivities including the traditional Opening Milk Toast. Other basketball-themed events scheduled include The Dutchmania 3-on-3 basketball tournament (entry blanks will be available at the fest website), free throw and three-point shot contests and Windmill Gallery featuring Dutchmen photos and artifacts.
Holland High School, average enrollment of 93, boasts three Indiana Hall of Fame Members – Gene Tormohlen, Don Buse, and Joe Todrank. The Dutchmen emerged champion of the infamous Huntingburg Sectional three times – 1953, 1967, and 1968. The 1968 team was the last undefeated team in Indiana after defeating previously undefeated Oolitic in the opening round of the Huntingburg Regional. In 1972, Holland consolidated with neighboring Huntingburg High School to form Southridge High School.
The Holland Community Fest, September 15 through 17, will be held at the Holland American Legion Park located at Indiana Highway 161 and Meridian Street.
