After rainstorm after rainstorm, last Saturday provided perfect weather for the annual Freedom Days parade, the jewel in the crown of the week-long Freedom Days celebration in Becker. A steady stream of floats, tractors, a marching band, performers from area dance academies, candidates and political office-holders and a horse disguised as a moose made for a colorful and entertaining show.
And once the parade had passed by, the action shifted to Hancock Street, as it does every year, with games for young and old, endless food, and entertainment throughout the day. The Teddy Bear band handled the music for the daytime music, with Outside Recess taking the night shift leading to the fireworks finale.
Entertainment away from the street included a 5K run Saturday morning, golf events throughout the day at Pebble Creek, a multi-day softball tournament and a basketball contest in the BHS field house.
Worm Racing
A new event this year was the First Annual Freedom Days Worm Race”. It was the brainchild of Becker Legion Auxiliary President Carleen Peterson, and it involved placing worms in a circle on a sheet of paper, with the winner being the first entrant’s worm to wriggle across the line.
The “contestants” included Rep. Jim Newberger, Commissioner John Riebel, Sen. Dave Brown and Police Chief Brent Baloun. Mayor Jerome “Lefty” Kleis was scheduled to compete as well, but he was unable to swim clear of the dunk tank in time, due to the blizzard of accurate balls tossed during that event.
After the race, a victorious Newberger confided that he had “coached” his competition worm, telling it that they were “going fishing” in the event they did not prevail in the race.
Full Menu
Participants also enjoyed performances from the Dazzlers Dance Camp, plus a wide variety of food items were on sale throughout the day, with long lines for burgers and other “fair food” treats. Kids flocked to the games area, and enjoyed visiting the ice cream truck, the face painting booth and the air slide on the grounds.
Bingo, beverages and a new game called “Kube”, a kind of Viking chess on the lawn was also introduced, which involved moving pieces of wood by throwing other pieces of wood at them. Vendors lined both sides of the street, and the Memorial Blood Drive also did a steady business.
