Posted: 6/19/07
Spring Groveís Homecoming is 100 years old, and better than ever
 Shawn Buckland, 13, and Blaine Storlie (with glasses), 12, enjoy an ice cream treat at Docís Blue Moose. |
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
One hundred years ago, folks living in Spring Grove were lonely. A considerable number of their friends and relatives had pulled up stakes in the 1890s for "free land" in the Dakotas. Some of these friends and relatives had been "out west" for 10 years or more.
To entice these former Spring Grove residents back for a visit, the first "Homecoming" celebration was organized in 1907. The celebration was quite a success, as former residents returned to Spring Grove by the trainloads. Pleased with the initial celebration, community leaders decided to hold a Homecoming every 10 years.
Fast-forward 100 years - Spring Grove will be a flurry of activity this weekend, as organizers have pulled out all the stops in observance of the 11th Homecoming. Residents of the Norwegian community nestled in the hills of western Houston County have been spit-shining and polishing up the town and have close to 100 different events scheduled during the four-day celebration.
Wednesday, June 20
Although billed as a four-day celebration (from Thursday through Sunday) the weekly Wednesday evening Music in the Park series kicks off Homecoming featuring The Footnotes. Food will be offered in the Syttende Mai Hus (Log Cabin) beginning at 5:30, with the music commencing at 6:30 in Viking Memorial Park. In case of rain, the music will be moved to the Fest Building.
Thursday, June 21
Spring Grove Public School tours will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Homecoming Memories Station (168 West Main Street) will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Information and Registration Center (Log Cabin) will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
A school reunion for graduates from 1926 through 1964 will be held at the Fest Building at 6 p.m. It will be followed with a dinner at 6:30, program at 7:30 (including a beard contest and vintage hat show) and will conclude with a dance featuring the Jim Busta Band at 8:30.
A childrenís play the re-enactment of "The Saga of Spring Grove," will be held in the school gym, beginning at 7 p.m.
Friday, June 22
A four-person best shot golf tournament will begin at Ma Cal Grove Golf Course at 8:15 a.m.
The Information and Registration Center opens at 9 a.m. offering souvenirs, button and wristband sales, and alumni registration.
Spring Grove Public School tours will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.
A craft show will be going on all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the old creamery building.
The Homecoming Memories Station (168 West Main Street) will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A vintage fashion display will be open at Ye Olde Opera House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tours of the Spring Grove Communications building will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A quilt show will be held in the school cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Norwegian dinner will be held at SEMCAC Dining beginning at 11 a.m. (Reservations are needed - call 498-3385).
The Spring Grove History and Norwegian Cultural Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fest Building.
Kid Again Amusements will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the city park and Aquatic Center.
The Norwegian food stand will be at the Fest Building from noon to 6 p.m.
The Spring Grove Library will host events and displays from 3 to 7 p.m.
The American Legion brat stand opens for business at 5 p.m. at the Legion.
SGHS grads from 1965 to 2007 will converge on the Fest Building at 6 p.m. for a reunion. The dinner will begin at 6:30 and program at 7:30. A dance, featuring ë79 grad Junior Klegseth, will begin at 8:30. Klegseth brings his band, Redhot Blues, from California. The band has toured throughout North America and recently traveled to the Middle East to perform for U.S. troops stationed there.
A childrenís play the re-enactment of "The Saga of Spring Grove," will be held in the school gym, beginning at 7 p.m.
Youth Night - Game night at the Gym - will be held at the school practice gym at 7 p.m. and Bingo will begin at the same time at the American Legion.
Trinity Lutheran Church will be hosting a Cemetery Walk in Cemetery #2 with six costumed players who will take roles of early Spring Grove pioneers at 8 p.m..
Harold Pederson will be performing at the Corner Store from 8 to 11 p.m. and karaoke music will be featured at the American legion from 9 to 1.
A Star Party will be held at dusk outside of town. Former Spring Grove resident Dean Johnson, who is a member of the Rochester Astronomy Club, will have several of his telescopes set up for those who wish to be star gazers.
Check the info center for information. Persons will carpool from the Log Cabin at dusk.
Saturday, June 23
The Lions Waffle Breakfast will kick off Saturday at the Fest Building, serving from 6:30 to 10 a.m.
A classic car, truck and tractor show will be held at Redís Hometown IGA from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Information and Registration Center opens at 9 a.m. offering souvenirs, button and wristband sales, and alumni registration.
A craft show will be going on all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the old creamery building.
The Spring Grove History and Norwegian Cultural Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fest Building.
Eight-team double elimination softball tournaments begin at 9 a.m. at Blayne Onsgard Field.
Tours of Northern Engravingís facility and the Spring Grove Pop Factory will be conducted from 9 to 11 a.m.
Tours of the Spring Grove Communications building will be from 9 to noon.
An 1860ís vintage baseball game will begin at 10 a.m. at the Fest Building.
The American Legion brat stand opens for business at 10 a.m. at the Legion.
A vintage fashion display will be open at Ye Olde Opera House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Norwegian food stand will be at the Fest Building from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A quilt show will be held in the school cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Alumni Choir will rehearse in the Trinity Lutheran Church senctuary at 11 a.m.
Kid Again Amusements will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the city park and Aquatic Center.
The Grand Parade, featuring Georgia Rosendahl as the Parade Marshal, will begin at 1:30 p.m.
A Salute to our Servicemen will be held at the gazebo in Viking Memorial Park following the parade.
The Spring Grove Library will host events and displays from 2 to 6 p.m.
Spring Grove Public School tours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m.
A figure-8 race will be held just east of Spring Grove in the Development Park at 4 p.m.
A family luau, featuring food, dance, games, and family fun will begin at 6 p.m. at the Spring Grove Aquatic Center.
A dance, featuring DJ Chris will be held from 8 to 1 at the Fest Building, while Breadman Karaoke will be at the American Legion from 9 to 1 p.m.
A fireworks display is slated for about 10:30 p.m. at the Aquatic Center.
Sunday, June 24
The eight-team double elimination softball tournaments continue at 9 a.m. at Blayne Onsgard Field.
The Alumni Choir will perform during the Trinity Lutheran Church service at 9:30 a.m.
The Homecoming Memories Station (168 West Main Street) will be open from noon to 3 p.m.
The American Legion brat stand opens for business at 11 a.m. at the Legion.
A Meatball Dinner will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Spring Grove History and Norwegian Cultural Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fest Building.
The Norwegian food stand will be at the Fest Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kid Again Amusements will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the city park and Aquatic Center.
The Spring Grove Library will host events and displays from 1 to 4 p.m.
A Demo Derby will begin at 2 p.m. east of town at the Development Park.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com