Posted: 5/2/06
Founders Day meeting May 9; all welcome
Some fun Caledonia Founders Day activities are on the horizon, and volunteers are wanted and welcome.
That was the message that Founders Day committee member Lisa Ely gave The Argus on April 28.
She and fellow committee members Noel Brenza, Amber Foster, Arien O'Heron, Betsy Pieper, and Sandy Welscher, are holding a volunteer meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall.
ìWe need help,î Ely said.
The next big event that the group will sponsor will take place on Father's Day weekend on June 16-18 at the city park and ball field. It's called the Founder's Day Summer Tournament and Family Fun Weekend.
The centerpiece will be a World Softball League tournament. It will be a qualifying event for Class B and C for the National tournament in Panama City Beach, Florida. John McCabe is in charge, and can be reached at 507-724-5244 for more information.
There will also be co-ed volleyball on Saturday. Details on that will be provided soon. Other highlights will be beer tent, a live band Saturday night, and a DJ.
ìItís a family-fun event,î Ely said. ìItís Fatherís Day weekend. What a great way to spend time with Dad.î
The goal is not to make money but rather to bring people in to the city, she said. ìWeíre trying to capitalize Caledonia and show people what we have.î
Changes in event
Founders Days began in 1979 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the cityís founding. Its activities included many things, such as a chili/smelt supper, spring comedy, fashion show, summer celebration, bingo at the fair, Christmas lighting contest, Christmas parade, ECFE Family Fun Fair, and Queens Court area parades.
A new committee has taken over the event and made some big changes. The focus will now be the winter celebration. For parades this summer, a person or persons will walk the route with a sign advertising the winter celebration.
In November, a young man and a young woman will be chosen to reign over the winter celebration. The committee plans to offer scholarships to participants.
The committee would like to have food stands operated by local organizations during the winter celebration.
The committee would be willing to lend support to activities such as the Founders Day comedy if there is a group interested in organizing a play, and will continue to sponsor bingo at the fair.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com