Historical Society, Goehring, Wildgrube serve as Grand Marshals

Hundreds of visitors and residents were in attendance throughout Farm and City Days weekend in New Richland, July 17 to 19. Few complaints were heard regarding the weather which was a little bit cooler than expected with highs maxing out around 85 degrees. 

 

The most popular attractions included the classic car show, which drew more than 100 cars. There were 109 cars last year, a record 149 in 2024 and 127 cars in 2023.

 

Named this year’s “Best of Show” was Todd Moran’s 1963 Buick Riviera. The rest of the car awards were: 

Mayor’s Choice - Bob Neudecker’s 1955 Dodge Lancer

Best GM - Burt and Doreen Doyles’ 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge

Best Ford - Gary Bergeson’s 1932 Ford Sedan 

Best Mopar - Steve Clark’s 1970 Phy RR (roadrunner)

Best of the Rest - Shorty Stickler’s 1935 International Bus 

 

Top 25 

Jim Miller 1962 Chevy Impala SS; Jeff Quam 1964 Chevy Nova; Dave and Lori Lembke 1929 Ford Tudor; Rick Kendall 1950 Mercury 2 door; Derek Fette 1983 Buick Electra; MIke Klampe 1955 Chevy Bel Air; Dale Paulson 1963 Chevy Impala SS; Gary and Joanne Hagen 1969 Pontiac Firebird; Jim Mladek 1955 Chevy Nomad; Craig Anderson 1976 Chevy C10; Phalen Seedorf 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Dennis and Faye Malecha 1950 Chevy Pick-up, Gary Johnson 1958 Chevy Impala; Mike Lockie 1965 Plymouth Satellite; Tom Clark ‘62 Chevy Impala; Rick Bliss 1946 Chevy Pick-up; Brian Mendenhall 1972 C10; Matt Thompson 1967 Chevy Nova SS; Dan Schultz ‘58 Ford Custom 300; Terry Prokopec 1967 Chevy Chevelle; MIke McClary 1962 Chev, Chevy II; Sylvia Christiansen 1974 Dodge Challenger; Larry Ferris 1969 Ford Mustang Con V.; Dave Arnfelt 1973 Chev. Chevelle SS; Layne Groskreutz 1955 Cadillac Series 62.

 

New this year was a VR Experience on Friday night, a Chicken Plop event Saturday, the Dino Lab event held at the public library. The Steeple Event Center held an open house Saturday. 

Returning for the second year were adult tricycle relay races sponsored by the State Bank of New Richland. 

 

A fun run sponsored by New Richland’s Panther Power House helped kick off Saturday’s schedule at 8 a.m.

 

Other popular events included Neighbor’s Meat’s kids’ grilling contest, and Power Pedal Tractor Pull for ages 4 to 11 (sponsored by NR Auto Repair, Midwest Repairables and Thompson’s Body Shop).

 

Saturday night included a well-behaved crowd at the street celebration, with AZBY performing. 

 

A parade showcased many, many groups and organizations. Selected as this year’s parade grand marshal was the New Richland Historical Society, represented by Barb Wildgrube and Pam Goehring. The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. 

 

A plethora of other events took place, including Water Wars with the New Richland Fire Department, and many different displays throughout town.

 

These displays and more are shown throughout this edition of the newspaper.

 

This year’s winning button numbers are 47; 183; 329; 571 and 742. Winners can contact farmandcitydays@gmail.com

 

The Farm and City Days Committee deserves a lot of credit for its efforts to put together our annual community-wide celebration. Committee members include: Angela and Ryan Gehrke, SaraJo Vulcan, Brandy Jacobson, Jennifer Weber and Sam Morgan. If you see them, thank them for a job well done.

 

Next year the city of New Richland will be celebrating its 150th anniversary. The committee is looking for recommendations. Any ideas can be submitted to: farmandcitydays@gmail.com.

 

Farm & City Days Parade Grand Marshals

• 2026 — New Richland Historical Society - Pam Goehring, Barb Wildgrube

• 2025 — Sue Kulseth

• 2024 — Mitch Heimer

• 2023 — Kathy (Schumacher, Flor) Hinkley

• 2022 — State Bank of New Richland, Bonnerup Funeral Home, and NRHEG Star Eagle

• 2021 — Karl and Tammy Proehl

• 2019 — Chris Schlaak

• 2018 — Carlie Wagner

• 2017 — Mary Ebnet and Rick Schulz

• 2016 — Town & Country Garden Club — Kris Pfeffer, Delores Bartholmey, Mary Sack, Joanie Proehl, Pastor Charles Espe, Lou Anderson, Julie Phinney, Jodi Johnson, Betty Hullopeter, Avis Rugroden, Mike Phinney, Barb Finseth, Kay Adams, Dawn Halgren, Gerald Hullopeter, Eleanor Schlaak, Janae Janike

• 2015 — Wayne and Merlys Wenzel

• 2014 — Surviving WWII veterans: Richard Crumb, Eugene Warke, Bud Shurson, Donnie Bartness, Tony Arnfelt, Dr. Albert Flor, Gordon Peterson, Harold Thompson, Winston Evenson, Kenneth Eaton, Donald Smith, Audrinne Smith, Marie Querna

• 2013 — 2012-13 NRHEG Girls’ Basketball Team — Hannah Lundberg, Maddie Wagner, Marnie Wagner, Carlie Wagner, Abby Crabtree, Paige Overgaard, Anna Stork, Jade Schultz, Katie Cole, Kelli Harrington, Raelin Schue, Ryann Hagen

• 2012 — Gail Schmidt

• 2011 — Pastor Paul Andree

• 2010 — Larry and Pam Goehring

• 2009 — Myron Schumacher

• 2008 — Gene and Sylvia Dodge

• 2007 — Mary Ann Schlaak

• 2006 — Vince Peterson

• 2005 — Don and Audrinne Smith

• 2004 — Pastor Phil Lewison

• 2003 — Gene and Mildred Budach

• 2002 — Orrin Ribbe (Honorary Gary Billing)

• 2001 — Bernie Anderson

• 2000 — Dale and Dawn Halgren

• 1999 — Beth Wesselhoeft

• 1998 — Jim Jessen

• 1997 — Margaret Engesser

• 1996 — Pastor Charles Espe

• 1995 — Lee Mendenhall

• 1994 — Gene Amley

• 1993 — Elmer and Marilyn Quiram

• 1992 — Jean Horn

• 1991 — Bill Robinson

• 1990 — Vince and Edna Erdmann

• 1989 — Herb Prescher

• 1988 — Abraham Family

• 1987 — Dr. Albert Flor

• 1986 — Harry Anderson

• 1985 — Leo Eckart

• 1984 — Dr. George H. Olds