Rains come and go and another Farm and City Days is in the books
FARM & CITY FUN — New Richland was alive with activities for Farm and City Days last weekend. Above, Bruce Ebnet drives his team of ponies as his wife, Kaye, and Morgan Ebnet — LaVoy Ebnet’s granddaughter — ride along. See Pages 6 and 7 of this week's Star Eagle for more color photos from Farm and City Days. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Rain washed out a few events but, for the most part, New Richland’s 2013 Farm and City Days went off without a hitch last weekend.
The three-day community event — held July 12-14 this year — annually seems to multiply the town’s population, and this year was no different. Many class reunions for New Richland-Hartland, Ellendale-Geneva and NRHEG were held as people made room in their homes for friends and relatives.
From kids’ activities on the street and in the park, to the Saturday night street dance featuring the music of IV Play, the weekend offered something for everyone, regardless of age.
“It was a fun weekend,” said Farm and City Days Committee member Kelly Martens. “It was fun to see everyone enjoying their time with family and friends.”
The rains came Saturday morning, cancelling the annual car show, horseshoe and golf tournaments, but it was clear for the impressive 84-unit parade at 5 p.m.
“We had a few setbacks, but there are some things you can’t control, like the weather,” said Martens. “I just hope everyone had a good time.”
Martens also wished to thank everyone who worked behind the scenes to make things happen.
The newest event this year, a “Minute To Win It” competition, was held Friday night on the stage across the street from the Star Eagle. Six four-person teams completed tasks just like those on the popular television show and everyone had a lot of fun, both participants and spectators. There was a three-way tie for first place. Winning the tiebreaker challenge was the “Brickyard Bombers” team of Mollie Mullenbach, Brandon Mullenbach, Spencer Swenson and Kalana Shurson. They won $50 in New Richland Bucks, a Godfather’s pizza and a gift certificate to Metropolis Resort in Eau Claire, Wis.
Finishing first in New Richland Liquor Co.’s Friday night beanbag tournament was the team of Duey Ferber and Tom Peterson. Second went to Derek and Holly Iverson, third to Nate and Ben Waldhauser.
Winners of the Amazing Race Saturday afternoon were Sophie Stork and Hannah Peterson. Second place went to Maddie Kormann and Paige Peterson. Maci Surat and Natalie Auseth finished third.
The New Richland Town and Country Garden Club Flower Show, titled “Garden of Rainbows” this year, drew many spectators — who also served as judges — to City Hall Saturday.
Top finishers, by category:
Artistic
1. Darlene Russell/Barb Finseth; 2. Barb Finseth/Rachel Romine/Darlene Russell; 3. Mary Sack
Horticulture
1. Barb Finseth; 2. Mary Sack; 3. Jan Prescher
House Plants
1. Darlene Russell; 2. Jody Johnson/Eleanor Schlaak; 3. Darlene Russell
Outside Planters
1. Nikki Schlaak; 2. Nikki Schlaak; 3. Janae Janike
Dried Arrangements
1. Darlene Russell
2. Mary Sack
3. Mary Sack
Wild Flower Arrangements
1. Darlene Russell
2. Mary Sack
Young Gardeners
1. Ella Krause/Lauren Krause
Theme Division
1. Mary Sack
Winning button numbers drawn Sunday include: $200, button No. 124; $100, 595; $100, 882; $50, 728; $50, 806. Turn in winning buttons at City Hall to claim your cash.