Area residents and visitors will be celebrating the 139th anniversary of the founding of Joseph City Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21. The historic community was founded in 1876 by Mormon pioneers as one of four colonies settled in the area and the only one that continues as a thriving community today.

The fun begins on Thursday evening with Zumba from 6 to 8 o’clock at the old elementary school gym.

On Friday everyone will return to the old gym for a fry-off and community potluck that will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with Karaoke starting up at 5 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m. There will be theatrical fun scheduled from 7:30 to 8 p.m., followed by a community dance from 8 to 11 p.m. at a cost of $2 per person or $10 per family.

Saturday events kick off early with a flag raising, and 5K and 10K runs all starting at 6:45 a.m. at the LDS church. There will be no cost to participate, but donations will be accepted. From 7 to 9 a.m., a breakfast will be held at the church.

You’ll get to work off that breakfast by taking part in the activities lined up later in the morning. Beginning at 9 a.m., an indoor volleyball tournament will be held at the Joseph City High School gym, a foosball tournament will take place at Tanner Park at a cost of $10 per 11-player team, and a horseshoe tournament will also be at Tanner Park with an entry fee of $2. Contact Lisa at (928) 587-1071 to sign your volleyball team up prior to the tournament.

A delicious lunch will be provided by the Joseph City Fire District as it hosts its annual Firemen’s Barbecue from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the firehouse on Main Street, with an auction slated to begin at 12 noon. The cost for the meal is $8 per plate, with proceeds to fund the district’s equipment needs.

There will also be plenty of children’s games at Tanner Park at just 25 cents per ticket, and a boutique will be held at Big Red on Main Street. Also taking place at Big Red will be a showing of the movie Cars beginning at 12:30 p.m. The movie is free and snacks will be available for 50 cents. The event will include a box car competition with the top three winners to receive a prize.

Wrapping up the day will be a turkey shoot at 2 p.m. at the Badlands.