The rain didn’t stop the 1956 time capsule opening ceremony on Sunday.

The event took place at the DeKalb Public Library as part of the city’s Sesquicentennial celebrations.

The time capsule opening began with the March of Time Procession from Gurler House to the DeKalb Public Library. Mayor Frank Van Buer and other DeKalb officials took part in the march along with the DeKalb High School marching band and color guard, complete with a bagpipe player.

State Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Clare) started the event by leading the singing of the National Anthem.

The capsule was dug up March 10 from under 18 inches of concrete.

Burzynski reflected on the passing of time that the capsule’s unveiling brings to light.

“What will the next community’s opening of the next time capsule be like?” He said, “This community will play a large role in the successes of it’s future.”

The mayor then thanked all for coming.

“I set up the committee for the sesquicentennial on one of the first nights after I was inaugurated. I’d like to thank people for coming out,” Van Buer said.

Long-time DeKalb resident, Charlie Bradt, 102, was in attendance.

“My sister recommended the architect for the design of the library,” he said. “I love the library and am glad to be here.”

The time capsule kids are nominated when the new time capsule is sealed and will be present to open. All but three members of the 2006 time capsule kids, nominated in 1956, or representatives of those nominated, were in attendance. The time capsule kids are nominated by the previous group of time capsule kids and by selected officials.

As the time capsule was opened for the first time in 50 years, the crowd gasped at the items being pulled out by the 1956 Time Capsule Kids. The first item removed was a Rulitser centennial edition cookbook from 1856 to 1956 by Pete Rolfing for his brother Mark Rolfing. Pete and Mark Rofling’s father was on the original centennial committee.

At least three of the items removed from the capsule were souvenirs from the centennial celebration. Tom Krupp, one of the 1956 time capsule kids, removed a souvenir plate from the 1956 centennial.

Two of the items removed by John Jacobson were former NIU catalogs, which included the 1956 to 1957 undergraduate catalog.

One of the final items removed from the capsule was a 1956 centennial edition of the Daily Chronicle, which was removed by Edward C. Raymond. He dedicated its removal to all the old paper curriers in the crowd who used to deliver them.

Other items included play programs, buttons, tickets and a Pam Am flight schedule. All items will be on display in the library throughout the month.

Linda Schwarz, the Sesquicentennial Core Committee Chair, closed the ceremony with thanks to the library and the rest of the committee. Schwarz also announced the 2056 time capsule kids. Reverend Linda Slabon of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship ended in a prayer with a message of peace and diversity for years to come.