Everyone knows sterling is for the 25th anniversary.

All right, maybe everyone doesn't know that. It's pretty obscure info.

Anyway, now you know that's the traditional gift for the big two-five.

But this year, and particularly this week, Sterling is all about the one-two-five.

The little Burleigh County town is celebrating its quasquicentennial this year, and things are really coming to a head this weekend. Events, including two street dances, a parade and fireworks display, have been scheduled to commemorate the occasion.

"It's a wonderful little town," said Kathy Lang, the Sterling postmaster and secretary of the town's 125th Celebration Committee. "They had a pretty big celebration at the centennial, too. Other than that, it's pretty quiet here. Every 25 years we do it up right."

Sterling has been a town on the move since it was platted in 1882, but mostly that has meant literal changes in geography. The town has moved gradually north as preferred modes of travel were built nearby. It started as a Northern Pacific Railroad station in 1873, when it was named Sixteenth Siding. It was renamed Sterling when it got its post office in 1882, and boasted about 200 people.

There are roughly 100 residents in Sterling now, who followed the town to Highway 10 and then Interstate 94. Those good citizens and anyone else who'd like to attend this weekend's festivities are welcome. Lang said there is no cost for any of the events, except for what you eat and drink.

A full schedule of events is below, but, first, let's also mention that Lincoln is celebrating a birthday this weekend, too. A much younger 30 years old, Lincoln also is in better health than its elder Burleigh burg.

Lincoln started as the rural Fort Lincoln Estates subdivision, about five miles southeast of Bismarck, in the early 1970s. Its residents chose to incorporate as a city in 1977, and shortened the name. Warren Enyart was elected as the town's first mayor. In its first census in 1980, Lincoln had 657 people. The population there now is about 2,200.

And that should grow, if only temporarily, this weekend. Lincoln has plenty of events scheduled, too.

"There's no reason everybody shouldn't be here this weekend,"Melanie Chaska, Lincoln's auditor, said.

Sterling

Friday

5:30 to 8 p.m. - Social at Sterling School, with sandwiches, salads and more. Proceeds benefit Sterling PTA. Prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children.

8 p.m. - Street Dance with music by the Ravens.

Saturday

10 a.m. - Opening ceremony and parade.

Noon to 4 p.m. - Children's inflatable games; antique car and tractor show at the Sterling School.

12:30 p.m. - Kids' street games.

1 p.m. - Quasquicentennial Quilt, antique coin and unique items auction. Centennial gun raffle drawn.

2 p.m. - 4x4 pickup mud run, east of Sterling Farmers Union; "Entertainment Under the Tent," featuring Dreams Karaoke and DJ, the Sweet Adelines, the Jive Bandits and Scott Hohimer.

4 p.m. - Children's Pedal Tractor Pull.

8:30 p.m. - Street dance with music by October Road.

10:30 p.m. - Fireworks display.

Sunday

10 a.m. - United Methodist Church will hold a nondenominational service, with potluck dinner to follow.

Lincoln

Friday

8 p.m. - Street dance and beer garden at Mickey's (formerly DJ's). The deejay is Night Patrol.

Saturday

All day - Free games for kids in the lot next to Tumbleweed Bar.

1 to 3 p.m. - Car and motorcycle show at Dakota Community Bank. Bring your car or bike and register to enter. Prizes will be awarded. Hot dogs and beverages will be served, with free-will donations going to charity. A bake sale will be held concurrently at Peace Lutheran Church.

8 p.m. - Street dance and beer garden at Mickey's, featuring the Loose Connection band.