Trail Days welcomes visitors to celebration in Fountain this weekend
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy - Lanesboro-Preston Republican-Leader

It's time to celebrate life in Fountain and that means Fountain Trail Days. This year it will include the parade on Sunday, June 10, at 1 p.m., as well as some new events.

Saturday events

"Fountain Trail Days 2007 will start off Saturday morning, June 9, with the 5K run," said Rachel Sveen.

"The run will be broken up into age categories, and along with the run there will also be a 1 mile fun run/walk, for anyone interested."

Registration for the 5K run is slated for 7 a.m. at Fountain's fire hall. The official trail trot will begin at 8:15 a.m.

Dig into sand without a shovel as volleyball tournaments will begin at Fountain's City Park at 10 a.m. Volleyball players can inquire about the tournaments by calling Susie Junge at 507-268-4922.

The children's bike rodeo, located at the DNR Root River trailhead, is also scheduled for 10 a.m. Children are invited to test their skills and learn about bicycle safety as Fountain Police Chief Tom Mosher and his wife, Kim, give instruction.

"Tom will educate the children about bike safety and dos and don'ts while on the trail," Sveen explained.

The "Little Miss Fountain Pageant" begins at 11 a.m. at the Fountain Community Center.

"Last year's 'Miss Fountain,' Kayla Mulhern, and 'Little Miss Fountain,' Stephanie McElmury, will crown the 2007 pageant winners. The new 'Miss Fountain' and 'Little Miss Fountain' will then ride in the grand parade on Sunday afternoon." Bridget Meyer can answer questions about the pageant.

Next, it's an event with a lot of pull - Spex Feeds will host the 2007 truck and tractor pull weigh-in at that time as well - and preparations might last until start time at 1 p.m.

"New this year, we are having a truck pull," said the committee member.

"The weight classes are 4,000, 4,500, 5,000, 5,500 and 6,000 pounds, and only stock pick-ups will be allowed... each hook will be $12. John Sveen is in charge of the tractor pull, and Ron Reisner is in charge of the truck pull."

Sveen can be contacted at 507-268-4358, and Reisner, at 507-268-4384.

Get ready to get geeky in Fountain from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. as the "Geex," a Chatfield band comprised of four young men who have survived the tuna noodle hot dish at the school cafeteria, turn the music up for an afternoon of fun. Their taste in tunes ranges from Johnny Cash to Black Sabbath, and their influences, from Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC~DC, .38 Special and Metallica to grunge and Beethoven.

"The Geex are a younger band starting out in music and would greatly appreciate your audience. They have four hours of fun-filled music to keep everyone on their toes. Admission is free, so come show them support," Sveen added.

Keep on rocking with "The Misfit Toys" as they perform "alternative rock, "party tunes and powerful twists on the finest classic rockers" in the Bent Wrench parking lot from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The band's Web site stated, "The Misfit Toys are tearing it up nightly as the great southern Minnesota party band that brings it head-on and full-bore every night we play. From the best in classic rock to the hottest in new rock, we deliver the high-energy, high-volume rock-and-roll show that your work week has so sadly been missing." Admission for the concert and dance is $5.

Sunday events

The Trail Days excitement continues on Sunday, June 10, with 10 a.m. community church services at Fountain Lutheran Church, as well as a craft show at the Fountain Community Center, open until 3 p.m.

The Fountain Trail Days grand parade will begin at 1 p.m., with line-up at noon on County Road 11.

Although the Trail Days Committee had previously requested a $25 parade entry fee, the fee has been repealed and the committee would like anyone who is interested to decorate his or her vehicles, floats and children for a dazzling display.

"Our grand marshals this year will be Marge and Marv Bremseth," related Sveen, who will accept phone calls for entries at 507-951-5229.

After the parade, in front of Willie's Grocery & Locker will be the children's pedal pull, the lawn and garden tractor pull and the bike giveaway for children 16 and under.

"Entertainment for Sunday afternoon will be the well-known comedian musician, Mike McAbee, also held in the Bent Wrench parking lot at 2 p.m." McAbee's repertoire includes songs such as "20 Cars," a "song about all the cars I've owned," "Marry and the World Marries with You, Divorce and You Divorce Alone" - "a song about America's second favorite pastime," "Wisconsin Small Town Polka" - "a look at the remarkable number of bars in the state of Wisconsin," and "Let's Strike It Middle Class!" - McAbee's tribute to prime time game shows..."I don't need to be on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' I need to be on 'Who Wants to Pay the Phone Bill?'"

To round off the weekend, Fountain's town celebration also includes bingo, food vendors, children's games, sumo wrestling, softball tournaments, a beer tent and a brat stand.

Sveen concluded, "The Fountain Trail Days Committee would like to thank everyone who has worked toward making Trail Days 2007 a success. We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone willing to help work at needed areas."

She noted that over the past few years the Fountain Trail Days Committee has been able to give back to the community, thanks to the assistance of those who helped make previous year's celebration a success.

"We as a committee have been able to buy new folding chairs for the community center, along with building a new pavilion at the city park, with the help of the Fountain Fire Department."

Sveen continued, "Another event that the Fountain Trail Days Committee hosted this year to help community members was a cancer benefit this past fall, and we've been able to afford new softball team game uniforms. We appreciate the support and enthusiasm.

Article Published: 06-07-2007