The Fair Haven Old Settlers’ Picnic will be Saturday, June 26. The color theme this year is green, so look for volunteers to be in bright green Old Settlers’ T-shirts. Shirts cost $8, and are for sale at Corky’s in Fair Haven, or by calling Vanessa Schlueter at (320) 236-2457. Shirts will also be for sale in the park on Old Settlers’ Day. Parade There is much excitement and anticipation about some changes in this year’s events. The day will begin with a parade at 10 a.m. Entrants are welcome to line up at the Concordia Lutheran Church parking lot. No registration is necessary. Anyone interested in participating just show up. The parade will be led by the Old Settlers’ longest married couple, Ruby and Arthur Deisinger. They will have to wait until the awards program to see if they will retain their title. Old Settlers’ 2003 royalty will lead 2004 queen candidates in the parade. Queen Teresa Erickson, Princess Jodine Lemke and Miss Congeniality Chelsey Wipper will take part in their final parade as Old Settlers’ Royalty. Activities in the park Activities in the park will begin after the parade. Buttons will be for sale for $1 each throughout the day. The Lions will host their “beef feed and beer” from 11 a.m.-12 midnight, local non-profit organizations will have food stands, and there will be room in the park to have your own picnic lunch. The Lions and Dr. Pepper will sponsor a kiddy pedal pull for ages 4-11 beginning at 11 a.m. The Maple Lake Jazz Band will play in the gazebo right after the parade. Queen candidates will run children’s games provided by the Old Settlers’ Picnic Association. The Green Giant will be in the park to hand out balloons and pose for pictures. Some little sprouts will tend to old fashioned games around 2:30 p.m. Local non-profit groups will also have games and other stands in the park. Anyone interested in running a stand should contact Lynda Mertens at (320) 236-7672 for more information. A “money in the hay” game will be at 1:30 p.m. and nickel ice cream will be served in the gazebo around 2 p.m. New this year is a Polish Horseshoe tournament sponsored by the Lions. Teams interested in competing should contact Pam Schindele at (320) 236-7739 for more information. Car show The second annual car show will begin at 11 a.m. Registration will be on Main Street on the west side of the park. The car show is open class, and awards will be given for entrants’ choice and queen’s choice. Door prizes will also be awarded to entrants. Car show awards will be at 3 p.m. The car show had a good response last year, and hopefully will be larger in its second year. For more information about the car show, contact Verna Salmela at (320) 236-2414. Awards program The annual awards program will be at 12:30 p.m. this year. “The Star Spangled Banner” will begin the program, and then Vanessa Schlueter will share the “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Green” program. Awards will be given to the oldest man and woman present, the newest married couple, longest married couple, greatest distance traveled, most grandchildren, and youngest child present. Grand prize drawings will be at 6:55 p.m., followed by the queen coronation ceremony at 7 p.m. The Fair Haven Lions will sponsor a dance by Wildwood. The Old Settlers’ Picnic 2004 has something to offer to people of all ages. Everyone is invited to the park to celebrate.
