Hundreds of people lined Main Street in Fairhaven Saturday, June 26, to watch the 78th annual Old Settlers’ parade. The weather was perfect for the picnic and parade. Kids of all ages enjoyed the green T-shirts, beaded necklaces and candy tossed to the crowd prior to and during the parade. The parade featured antique and classic cars, fire trucks, queen candidates and area royalty, among other characters, and lasted just under an hour. The Maple Lake Jazz Band provided entertainment in the park gazebo after the parade, while people visited, played games and had a bite to eat. Non-profit groups served food and provided children’s games. Picnic volunteers Lynda and Pat Mertens, Shelly and Tommy Hurrle and Julie and Doug Wills blew up balloons for “Green Giant” Mike Schlueter to hand out. They also worked the Old Settlers’ Association game table and T-shirt stand. The Lions sponsored the Kiddie Tractor Pedal Pull for children 4-11, with first, second and third place winners awarded in each age group. The pedal pull drew in a large group of participants and spectators. Vanessa Schlueter and two of her children, Talyn and Logan, sang a medley of songs at the awards program. The annual awards were presented to the following people. o A special award was given to the “Longest Fairhaven resident” – Edna Glenske. Edna has lived in Fairhaven for 86 years. The association honored her for being a great neighbor and friend. o Oldest man – Lorenz Seutter of Shoreview, 88 years old. o Oldest woman – Gertie Stuve of Kimball, 89 years old. o Youngest child – Cody Leither of Watkins, 6 months old. o Longest married couple – Ruby and Arthur Geisinger of Annandale, 62 1/2 years. o Most grandchildren – Gertie Stuve with 59 total. o Newest married couple – Chris and Cheri Lehse of Fairhaven, 8 days. o Greatest distance traveled – Edith (Cornell) Splan of California. Edith’s granddaughter won the same award 30 years ago when she attended with her grandparents. The program continued with a trivia contest about green things. The “Little Sprouts” won the round over the “Green Giants,” and claimed some great prizes. The program ended with Schlueter reading a poem entitled “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Green.” Chantz Saterbak won a $50 savings bond for finding the specially marked coin in the “Money in the Hay” game. The 2003 royalty Queen Teresa Erickson, Princess Jodine Lemke and Miss Congeniality Chelsey Wipper served more than 300 nickel ice cream cones to picnic-goers. Children gathered to play some old-fashioned games. They had fun tossing frogs, having sack races, playing leap frog, passing watermelons and spitting seeds. The first-ever Lions Polish Horseshoe Tournament was a success. Show cars lined the west side of the park for people to check out at the second annual Car Show. Entrants won a variety of door prizes from batteries to T-shirts. Greg Gohmann of St. Cloud won the Entrants’ Choice award for his 1969 Mach I Ford Mustang. Queen Teresa Erickson picked Gary Pramann’s 1964 Ford Sprint for the Queen’s Choice award. The coronation ceremony was at 7 p.m. A large crowd gathered to watch the candidates as they were presented. The outgoing royalty acted as emcees and crowned the 2004 royalty. The new 2004 royalty are Queen Katie Krantz, Princess Beth Kampa, and Miss Congeniality Kayla Hinkemeyer. People visited with friends and family throughout the day and a large crowd stayed to dance to the Wildwood Band in the evening. The weather was wonderful; the pesky mosquitos, rain and sweltering heat experienced in the past were not problems at this year’s celebration. More than 50 people volunteered their time in some way to make the day a success. It wasn’t easy, but everyone did a fantastic job. Thank you for your help. Submitted by Vanessa Schlueter, Fairhaven Old Settlers’ Picnic Association
