By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
A full lineup of events, minus Martin Ellingson jumping off the room of the Ellendale bank (in a theatrical performance), is in place for the annual Ellendale Days celebration, beginning with food vendors and a street dance at 8 p.m., Friday, June 23, 2023.
Formerly known as “Crazy Days,” this year’s events may seem a little pedestrian compared with the times of old.
“Ellendale Days lets people know that we’re still here,” Ross Sletten, Lerberg’s Foods owner says. “There are a few things that have changed over the years. It’s not so crazy, as the name used to indicate.”
As a lifelong Ellendale kid, Sletten said his fondest memory of “Crazy Days” is Martin Ellingson jumping off the roof of the bank onto a small mattress on Main Street. Of course, he failed to mention until the conclusion of his story, that he didn’t really do it. A mannequin was tossed from the building and quickly scooped up into an ambulance and driven away.
“People used to dress up and there were really crazy ideas, and days, back in the ‘70s.,” Sletten continued.
Some of the highlights scheduled for this year, which begin Friday, include: Bounce Houses at 6 p.m., followed by a street dance at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, First Lutheran Church of Ellendale is celebrating their 100th year all day. The city wide rummage sale begins at 8 a.m., along with the classic car show. At 10 a.m. the Vendor Show will be on Main Street. At 11 a.m. Bounce Houses will open until 3 p.m. A balloon artist will accompany the Houses in a nearby location. Lunch in the park is sponsored by the Ellendale Heritage society. At noon, Bed Races will take place in of teams of 3-4. (Sign up at Floors 4 U.) The parade, sponsored by the Lions Club, begins at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the Kiddie Tractor Pull at 5 p.m. A youth dance will cap off the days events at 8 p.m., followed by the adult dance at 9.
On Sunday a Lions Club Pancake breakfast will be held at Methodist Church. A family fun service will be the final event at 10 a.m. at Vibrant Life. (Bring your chairs.)
The Ellendale Days Committee, comprised of Muilenburg, LeeAnn Hojberg, Jackie Froman, and Paula Conklin are also continuing work on the towns 125th birthday celebration.
“We have lots of ideas,” Muilenburg said. “We’re hoping to get something special for the kids.
“What Ellendale days means to me is bringing the community together to support our small town and have some fun while we’re good,” Muilenburg, an NRHEG graduate in 2000, and Ellendale native continued. “I just remember the things I did as a little kid and I want to bring them back.
“When you weren’t playing t-ball, for 50 cents, you could go play a game put on with the Lions Club. That’s something I always remember.”
“I would just like to say being an Ellendale resident, and being a main street business, I’m real proud of our town and our people,” Sletten added. “It’s a great town to live in and raise a family.
“And we can add that we have an excellent school system. We have all the right ingredients in a good recipe for raising a family.”
Those ingredients, and a lot of fun, await those who attend this weekend’s events. A poster showing all of the events can be found on Pages 4 and 5 of this week’s Star Eagle.