RIDING IN THE PARADE — 2017 NRHEG Homecoming King and Queen Mackenzie Rhoades and Benji Lundberg
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Farm and City Days 2018 offered a little something for everyone.
For the young, there were inflatable games, a tractor pull, basketball tournament, bean bag tournament, Kiddie Parade on Wheels, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
For the young at heart, there were fireworks, Bingo, a street dance, the Top 25 Antique Car Show, bocce ball tournament, golf tournament, softball tournament, book sale, bake sale, craft and vendor fair, Town and Country Garden Club Flower and Community Church Quilt Show, community worship at City Park, and what's becoming a favorite event, the New Richland Fire Department Water Wars.
And of course there was the main event, the annual parade. As of last Friday morning, there were 65 units that registered. The grand marshal, chosen by the Farm and City Days Committee, was NRHEG High School and University of Minnesota graduate Carlie Wagner, who led NRHEG to three straight state basketball tournaments and two state championships before joining the Golden Gophers.
The fireworks were impressive for a second straight year. Sponsored in part by the New Richland Fire Department and the Farm and City Days committee, they lit up the sky with a display that rivals many larger towns - in terms of presentation if not length.
"Them Pesky Kids" provided the music for the street dance.
The Farm and City Days Committee deserves a lot of credit in its efforts to put together our annual community-wide celebration. The committee includes Larry Goehring, Pam Goehring, Sara Jo Vulcan, Angela Gehrke, Tina Schmidt, Sam Morgan, Suzi Koziolek and Robin Jeno. If you see them, thank them for a job well done!
Farm & City Days Parade Grand Marshals
• 2018 — Carlie Wagner
• 2017 — Mary Ebnet and Rick Schultz
• 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