Caledonia Argus

Highway 16 Scenic Byway celebration is Saturday

Posted: 4/29/03

Minnesota Scenic Byway Historic Bluff Country, Highway 16 recently was upgraded to the designation of National Scenic Byway. The designation will be celebrated on Saturday, May 3. Twenty-one cities along and near the byway will mark the occasion with rummage sales, pictorial stamp cancellations and other special events. The events start at Dexter on one end and La Crescent on the other with breakfast and entertainment. Around 9:00 a.m., local government officials will cut the ribbon, starting the celebration with the first flag being passed off and the flags heading toward Lanesboro. The caravan should arrive around noon.

Glenn St. Mary and Mayor Robert Burns of Caledonia will accept the Scenic Byways banner from La Crescent at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Highway 26/County 7 junction. Plans are for a ìpie wagonî and Model T to be used. They will hand-off the banner in Hokah and join the caravan that will proceed to Lanesboro.

Historic Bluff Country Byway is 88 miles in length and features pristine prairie land as well as beautiful bluffs overlooking the Root River.

Throughout Historic Bluff Country, you can have your windshield cleaned at one of the participating filling stations, for ìA Clear Look at our Bywayî. While you are there, pick up a bag of information about the dayís planned events and other goodies.

Cities included are Dexter, Grand Meadow, Spring Valley, Chatfield, Fountain, Wykoff, Preston, Harmony, Lanesboro, Mabel, Canton, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford, Rushford Village, Spring Grove, Houston, Hokah, Caledonia, Eitzen and La Crescent.

La Crescent

The celebration in Caledonia starts with breakfast at 8:00 a.m., followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:00 and flags on their way at 9:30.

Lanesboro

Lunch will be held in the park and is available at restaurants located throughout Historic Bluff Country. The Flags should be coming in from the East and West just after noon followed by the caravan of cars. At 1p.mm there will be a presentation from the Scenic Byway office highlighting the value of having a National Scenic Byway. Other Events in Lanesboro include: pictorial stamp cancellation at the Visitorís Center and city-wide rummage sales.

Harmony

Special Events in Harmony include a pictorial stamp cancellation at the visitor center; city-wide rummage sales; Four Seasons Style Show at the Intrepid Traveler from 2- 3:30.

Preston

Special Events in Preston include a pictorial stamp cancellation at the Visitor Center, free windshield washing, city wide specials and Tours of the Country Hearth Inn.

Canton

Events include a pictorial stamp cancellation at City Hall and city wide rummage sales.

Mabel

There is a Pictorial Stamp Cancellation at Steam Engine Museum; city-wide rummage sales; Steam Engine Museum Tours from 11:00-4:00; Barn Dance at The Mabel Dairy Barn 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Rushford

Events include a pictorial stamp cancellation at the Visitor Center and city-wide rummage sales.

Houston

Pictorial Stamp Cancellation at the Trailhead Nature Center; city wide rummage sales; library book sale; Animal zoo, brownie and ice cream sale at the Nature Center from 2:00 - 4:00; Ribbon cutting at Antique Cottage on Cedar at 3:00; American Legion Sponsored Dinner at Community Center from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Caledonia

City-wide rummage sales are planned.

Spring Grove

Special Events in Spring Grove include a pictorial stamp cancellation at the Visitor Center and city-wide rummage sales.

Eitzen

Specials throughout the community.

Hokah

Events in Hokah include a pictorial stamp cancellation at the Hokah Fire Hall from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. and city-wide rummage sales.

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