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SUBLETTE – It’s not every year a municipality turns 170.

Especially, a thriving precinct.

And it’s extraordinary when the census sign reads 450 people.

Sublette, Illinois is one of few which can make the claim. And not only make the claim but celebrate its ability to sustain a united community with the ones who help make it a real-life bond instead of a statement, you.

Sublette is celebrating its 170th anniversary or birthday, both terms fit, on Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8.

On Saturday, a softball tournament will begin after its 8:30 a.m. registration, craft vendors are open 9 a.m.-2 p.m., bounce houses and a petting zoo will open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Les Wilson will perform uptown from 11 a.m.-noon, a parade will cruise down the Sublette streets at 1 p.m., and food trucks will be available all day.

Hops and Harmony will take place from 6-10 p.m. with beer tasting and musical performances from The Wilde, Voth, and Grammy Award winning country music band, Diamond Rio.

Sunday will include craft vendors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and the annual attraction, Pullin’ in the Park at 11 a.m.

Residents and natives of Sublette are excited about the celebration and Sublette turning 170.

John Stenzel

“For Sublette to turn 170-years-old, that means there has been a lot of dedicated, hardworking people to help sustain the village,” said the Sublette Village Board president. “The number of volunteers and support Sublette receives from its residents is phenomenal. I hope everyone comes out and celebrates because it’s for all of the people who live here and make our community great.”

Nick Vaessen

“It was typical small-town living when we were kids. Everybody was riding bikes and playing baseball. We met up with the neighbors every day,” said Vaessen, who is a third-generation family member associate of Vaessen Brothers Chevrolet in Sublette and 1992 Amboy graduate. “There was only one way to tell where everyone was at, look for the pile of bicycles. We didn’t have cellphones, so you traced the bikes.

“It’s cool Sublette is having a 170^th celebration and it’s cool Sublette has made it this long. A lot of small towns dry up and blow away because of lack of business. We’re all here to support Sublette at all times. Vaessen Brothers is turning 98 this year, so we’ve been here for most of the 170.”

Katie Leffelman

“We’ve done different celebrations before, but we haven’t done anything like this where we have so many activities in at least the last 10 years,” said Leffelman, who grew up five miles outside of town, bought a house in Sublette in 2017, and works at Sublette’s Numark Credit Union. “We’re trying to focus on kids’ activities and have plenty for them to enjoy. At the same time, adults want to have fun during the day.

“It’s going to be a fun weekend. Pullin’ in the Park is always a great time for families. Now, we have a fun-filled Saturday, too.”

Nick Dinges

“I think it is always great to bring people together. I’ve always felt that our community is very special,” said Dinges, who is the Sublette Fire Department’s assistant fire chief, CEO/owner of Dinges Fire, and president of Sublette 365. “Anytime there is an event, or someone needs help, it feels like everyone always wants to come together and get a lot of things accomplished. Sublette feels like it provides a sense of belonging.

“There are a lot of family ties and roots that date way back in our town. It’s great to see a lot of those families still in Sublette and it’s great to see new families come into town.”

Denny Klein

“We’re on our third home in Sublette in the same neighborhood we originally moved to almost 60 years ago,” said Klein, who is originally from Mendota but moved to Sublette 56 years ago. “When we moved in, we had great neighbors and that’s what has kept us here. It’s a nice community to live in.

“When you’re in a community for over 50 years, you become part of it and want to see it be successful. We don’t celebrate all that often, but when we do, we want to make it a meaningful celebration.”

Carol Vaessen

“The people in Sublette are awesome,” said Vaessen, who moved to Sublette 56 years ago with her husband Louis, who has lived in Sublette for all but two years of his life. “Our children who don’t live in Sublette anymore saw a T-shirt at Local Cup and Cake when they were visiting that said, ‘I was raised in Sublette.’ Although they don’t live here anymore, they wanted the shirt because Sublette is where they’re from. They wear them.”

Kyle Kellen

“There have only been two years of my life, the first two, where I was right outside of town between Sublette and West Brooklyn, otherwise I’ve been here the entirety,” said Kellen, 43, who is a deputy for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. “For years, I was one of the officers who patrolled Sublette. Now, I’m a school resource officer at Sauk Valley Community College.

“My duty has changed where I’m not patrolling Sublette anymore, but I still receive calls about Sublette issues. It’s nice to be part of a small, tight-knit community like Sublette. Everyone who has lived here or has been involved in some capacity has played a part in Sublette. You see some small towns struggling and businesses are shut down.

“We’re lucky for our small, little town to keep on rolling and still be doing good. That’s a testament to the people in town.”

Chris Leffelman

“Every town around talks about how nice Sublette is. It’s because of the volunteers. They come out of the woodwork,” said Leffelman, the Sublette Park Board president, who similar to his wife Kim, was born on Main Street in Sublette, hasn’t had a Sublette address for the last 30 years, but are heavily active in the community. “It’s not just people from Sublette, it’s people from West Brooklyn, Amboy, Maytown, and LaMoille.

“I’ve always said, ‘No small town can make it on its own. Small towns have to work together.’ And around here, they sure do. Every little town helps the other little towns.”