Saturday, July 5th, 2025 Church Directory
A little drizzle didn’t stop the huge Palmer Day crowd from enjoying the parade. (Photo by Penny Leuthard).
Justin Jensen was all smiles during the Palmer Day Parade. The youngster was a cheerful ambassador for Chad’s Auto parade entry.
PALMER IN THE PARK. Ryder Holtan thoroughly enjoyed the festivities at Palmer Park at this year’s Palmer Day. Ryder is pictured with his mom, Samantha Holtan and aunt Alyssa Woolard. (Photos by Mary Nehring)
PALMER DAY Grand Marshal Judy Wipper boarded the convertible float used during the parade Saturday morning along the main drag. (Submitted Photo).

Palmer Day A Success Despite The Drizzle

Excited crowds at this year’s 21st Annual Palmer Day celebration didn’t let a little rain dampen their enthusiasm. Organizers report that attendance for most activities was down but not by much.

This year was the first time in 20 years that it rained on Palmer Day; there was also drizzle the first year of the celebration.

The day started out cloudy but precipitation-free at 9 a.m. with 110 entrants in the 5K walk/run. The car show also began at 9; 171 vehicles were entered. Run by Char and Juice Langowski, trophies were given out for the top 30 vehicles, which were voted on by the show’s participants, and a Best of Show trophy, which was awarded to Zimmerman’s Lorence Johnson for his 1962 Ford T-Bird convertible. 

The beanbag and horseshoe tournaments went off without a hitch, with 23 teams competing at beanbag and 10 at horseshoe.

The parade at noon drew a large crowd that came prepared for the weather with raincoats and umbrellas along with their lawn chairs. Around 60 parade entrants, including the Kracker Jacks Drumline, entertained everyone with their creativity and candy. Judy Wipper was this year’s Grand Marshal.

During the parade the Shriners had a short breakdown near the park, but the drizzle held off until halfway through.

First place for best float was awarded to Brigg’s Lake Nursery, second place went to John Koubsky Construction.

Raffle ticket sales were down a bit, but those who won were happy with their prizes. Worth around $1,200, first prize was a basket filled with gift cards and cash, and second prize was four Twins Championship Club tickets behind home plate and a jersey.

“We had huge prizes this year,” said Event Co-Chair Joanie Ernzer. “We had really great sponsors, they were so good to us.”

Although numbers were down, people came back for the Honeybadgers evening concert from 7 to 11 p.m. A popular band, many people expressed their enthusiasm for their music by dancing in the rain.

Along with thanking the sponsors, Ernzer expressed thanks to the Clearwater and Clear Lake American Legions and the Sauk Rapids VFW, who have all marched as part of the parade’s color guard for a number of years, and the Palmer and Clear Lake Fire Dept.’s, who have also been long-time parade entrants.

Also expressed thanks to were all those who volunteered to help with gift wrapping prizes and selling tickets for the raffle, and those who helped run events, helped with the parade and food booths, and helped with Friday’s set up and Sunday’s clean up.

“It’s all very appreciated and is what makes Palmer Day work,” said Ernzer. “Everyone works together. Thank you to all and thank you to everyone who came out to join us in the not-so-perfect weather to make the day a success.”