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Emden’s
homecoming festivities continued Saturday, July 19, with several
more events. Though it rained all morning and continued to sprinkle
in the afternoon, there was a decision that the parade must go on.
In the morning, people were out shopping for deals at one of several
garage sales in town.
Just outside the Emden Community House, the Sons of the American
Legion were selling grilled pork chops.
Around two, people lined the
streets of Emden for the homecoming parade. There were around 70
entries this year. As usual, many of the children brought bags to
hold all the candy they hoped to get.
This year’s parade theme was “Small Town, Big Pride,” and this theme
was represented by some of the floats.
For example, the Emden Historical Society decorated their float to
look like a classroom in the one room Bethel School, which was open
from 1862-1948.
Leading the way in the parade were a white vehicle and a Humvee.
Next was the Emden American Legion
Post 506, Sons of the American Legion and Emden Legion Auxiliary
Unit 506 followed by the Logan County Sheriff’s car.
Grand Marshall was Earnie Jeckel, who has had 60 years of dedicated
service with the Emden Volunteer Fire Department. Members of his
family marched behind him.
New entries this year were a military band playing patriotic music,
a National Guard truck and two other military vehicles.
2024 Logan County Fair Queen Abbie
Arnold, Junior Miss Sophia Goodman and Little Miss Olivia Harmsen
followed behind in a convertible. It was the last of many parades
for the fair royalty since their reigns will end July 29.
Little Miss Emden Mia Westen, who was crowned at the 2012 Emden
Sesquicentennial was in the next vehicle.
Also in the parade line were Michael Block and Joshua Pharis, who
are both running for Logan County Sheriff and Rendi Ray and Adair
Van Hook who are running for Logan County Treasurer. Other elected
officials rode on the Logan County Republicans float.
Area businesses, organizations and churches were another part of the
parade line up.
A variety of tractors represented the strong farming community in
the area. These included Minneapolis Moline, Allis Chalmers, Massey
Ferguson and John Deere tractors and a Kubota UTV.
Cars in the parade ranged from antiques to newer sporty models.
There were even a few people who rode horses and bicycles along the
parade route.
Local athletes rode atop a couple of the Emden Fire Protection
District trucks that rounded up the entries.
Video - Emden Homecoming
Parade
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Kiddie Tractor pull
After the parade was over, 41 children of various ages and sizes
participated in the kiddie tractor pull hosted by the Logan
County Farm Bureau Young Leaders.
Many friends and family members came to cheer on the
participants.
As is customary, the three classes were lightweight, for kids
weighing up to 45 pounds, middleweight for those who weighed
between 46 and 65 pounds and heavyweight for those who weighed
between 66 and 100 pounds.
All the kids made a valiant effort,
and a few even did full pulls.
Video - Lightweight Class
Out of the seventeen kids competing in the lightweight class, three
did full pulls on their first try resulting in a pull off between
the three. Ultimately, Lane Leesman won first place.
Video - Middleweight Class
There were two out of eleven kids competing in the middleweight
class who did full pulls on their first try. In the pull off, Parker
Coers won first place.
Video - Heavyweight Class
The heavyweight class had thirteen participants. There were no full
pulls, but a few got close. Levi Leesman placed first in this class.
The top three winners in each class received trophies plus small
cash prizes donated by Farmers State Bank of Emden.
With four kids winning trophies,
the Leesman family did very well in the kiddie tractor pull.
Over at Luther Field on the edge of Emden, St. Peter’s Youth
participated in a wiffle ball tournament once the sun came out.
The carnival style games, face painting, bouncy houses, and Bingo
games continued Saturday evening.
Musical entertainment was provided by the rock band Stereotypical.
It was another fun homecoming weekend for the many people who came
to enjoy the festivities.
[Angela Reiners]
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