Farm and city days turns 100

Hundreds of people, maybe even a thousand visitors and residents, were in attendance throughout the 100-year anniversary of “Dairy Days,” later renamed Farm and City Days weekend in New Richland, July 8-10.

The most popular attractions included Greg the Mystifying Magic show, drawing more than 100 people to City Park on Saturday; Power Pedal Tractor Pull for ages 4-11 in the afternoon, sponsored by Morgan's Meat Market, Thompson’s Body Shop, New Richland Auto, Midwest Repairables, Wagner Foods, New Richland Liquor, and Neighbor’s Meats.

The event left several participants hanging around afterwards to ask, “Can we do this for adults?”

Both Friday and Saturday nights included rambunctious–but well behaved–crowds at the street celebrations, with Powerhouse performing Saturday night. Egged on by the crowd, Powerhouse played for almost an extra hour before finally reminding their audience that, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” as they encouraged enthusiastic participants to help with cleanup.

A parade, featuring almost perfect weather (It could have been a little cooler.) showcased many, many groups and organizations. The selection of this year’s grand marshal was done somewhat differently from past parades. Three area businesses were spotlighted: the State Bank of New Richland, Bonnerup-Friedrich Funeral Service, and the NRHEG Star Eagle. Representing the bank, which is celebrating 125 years in business next year, were bank president Kristi Harrington and son, vice president Matt Harrington. Kristi has been president of the bank since 2012 and Matt has been with the bank since age 18 after attending one year of college before returning.

Kristi had this to say regarding the selection, “The State Bank of New Richland was very honored to be chosen with Bonnerup Funeral Homes and the Star Eagle as Farm & City Days Grand Marshalls this year in honor of our presence in the community for over 100 years.

“In October, we will celebrate 124 years of service to this community.  There has been a long line of stockholders, employees and, of course, customers who have enabled us to survive and thrive that long.”

The Anderson family has been involved for most of the Bank’s tenure.  Currently 4th and 5th generation Anderson’s remain actively involved in the Bank.”

Representing Bonnerup on the grand marshal float was Judy Popp-Anderson, who joked, “I’m riding because I’m the closest to a hundred,” the same age the funeral home turns this year.

For the Star Eagle, Publisher Eli Lutgens rode in the parade, snapping pictures from a vantage point the newspaper doesn’t typically have; from a float in the parade.

A plethora of other events took place, including fireworks Friday night, Water Wars with the New Richland Fire Department, and many, many different displays throughout town, including the classic car and antique tractor shows. All these displays and more are covered with stories, pictures, and captions throughout this edition of the Pioneer.