In keeping with a tradition that goes back almost out of memory, Mother Nature produced a perfect September day on which to conduct the annual Palmer Day festivities last Saturday. “It never rains on Palmer Day!” has been the mantra with volunteers and spectators alike for the past decade or so, and the 2014 version may have been the best ever.

 

Not that the organizers did not have some water problems to deal with, however.  A vehicle (still unidentified at press time) ran over an irrigation junction box in the ball field after the parade, resulting in a fairly substantial geyser sparkling prettily in the infield near the car show display.  Organizers Mike Ganz and Roger Johnson and other volunteers sprang into action, rounding up tools and closing the appropriate valves (to the dismay of some restroom users), and quickly getting the situation under control.

 

The day began with the traditional Palmer Day 5K, with 79 runners reporting to the starting line early Saturday morning.  Fastest finisher and first male was Marty Teigea with a time of 20.53 min, with Kailyn Stout the first female at 21.56 min.  First kid was Cayla Pauman, time not revealed.

 

The parade was a model of organization, as always, stepping off promptly at noon to the blare of fire engine sirens and featuring their Highnesses King Keith and Queen Eva Olson, reigning candy down on the waiting urchins from the back of the royal convertible as they made their progression down to the formal luncheon at Palmer Park.

 

At the other end of the parade column was an equally popular entry featuring three “Redneck Royalty” celebs in an open car that started life as a hard-top coupe.  Giving out a more country royal wave were King Brandon Kozar, Queen Cassie Ganz and Princess Tiffany Wilson.  The red-neck royals were assisted by chauffer Jared Ganz and his co-driver Tyler Wilson. 

 

Other parade highlights included an appearance by the Becker High School Marching Band, followed later in the parade by their compatriots from Foley High School, an assortment of tractors, the sheriff’s mounted patrol, snowmobile trail groomers and a bevy of hopefuls and incumbents running for office in the fall.

Volunteer Nancy Lorentz said that Radio WVAL operations Mgr. Gary Hoppe and DJ Gary K should be mentioned for having been integral in providing and setting up the equipment that made the parade public address system possible  That is also something which they have done in the past as anonymous volunteers, she said.

 

With the perfect weather, the ever-expanding car show drew crowds of spectators all day long, and the bean bag tournament field was a busy place throughout the afternoon as well.  The day also featured kid’s games, and the popular Rebecca’s Balloon Animals were a big hit as well.

 

DJ Bob Weber handled the daytime music shift, with the Honey Badgers taking over at 7 p.m. for the nightlife crowd.   

 

The concessions at Palmer Park reported doing a steady business; with the Duelm Knights of Columbus, Briggs Lake Chain Association, Clear Lake American Legion and the Farm Friends Barn project all having a busy day.