'A Prairie Home Companion' is coming to Lanesboro in June
By Lisa Brainard

Courtesy Preston-Lanesboro Republican-Leader

Garrison Keillor and "A Prairie Home Companion" are coming to Lanesboro Friday, June 1, to tape a live show - for broadcast on June 2 - from the town's softball field.

The crew also will do what's called a "rhubarb show" on Saturday, June 2. A spokesman with "A Prairie Home Companion" said that terminology is used for a show that is not broadcast. At times it's a somewhat scaled-back production.

Speaking of rhubarb, the spokesman confirmed that Keillor scheduled the Lanesboro slot to tie in with the town's Rhubarb Fest, which is held Saturday, June 2.

Nancy Martinson was thrilled to hear the news. One of the organizers of the Rhubarb Fest since its inception a few years ago, Martinson has been doing her best to lure Keillor to Lanesboro.

She noted last year he performed in Rochester and the Rhubarb Fest promotion group attended, all wearing their rhubarb shirts.

"He mentioned we were there," said Martinson.

Last fall Keillor appeared in Lanesboro as part of a Fillmore County Democrat fund-raising event. Martinson noted that the Rhubarb Sisters had a slot to sing before the show. They are Peggy Hanson, Stella Burdt and Beth Hennessy.

"I think he really liked and enjoyed himself in Lanesboro," said Martinson.

"And we know he's a big fan of rhubarb. He talks about it all the time," she added.

Martinson has gotten permission each time from "A Prairie Home Companion" and its production company to use Keillor's rhubarb song, which includes lyrics such as, "Mama's little baby loves rhubarb, rhubarb... Beebopareebop Rhubarb Pie."

She has e-mailed him a few times and invited Keillor to the Rhubarb Fest, citing such favorite activities as the rhubarb stalk throw, rhubarb Olympics and balancing an egg on a rhubarb stalk, known as "green eggs and rhubarb."

The spokesman could not confirm if the e-mails helped in making the decision. He did note Keillor likes to take the show outside "toward the end of (its production) season (each year)." Also, he said Keillor likes to do a certain number of shows throughout Minnesota.

Production people from the show contacted the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce in February, according to its director, Julie Kiehne. The spokesman chuckled on the phone as he spoke to this paper, saying the photo he'd seen of 6 inches of snow on the ball field taken by the production scouts looked good.

Also, he could not say at this time how tickets for the shows would be sold. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Martinson agreed with comments made by Kiehne and Dave Harrenstein, the latter two speaking to the Lanesboro City Council Monday evening, regarding the visit of Keillor and "'A Prairie Home Companion': It's a great thing for Lanesboro."

Article Published: 03-24-2007