by Stuart Goldschen
news@thenewsleaders.com
There’ll be live band music in the air, dancing in the streets and a gala parade downtown.
And a celebratory Mass, a giant picnic in the park, canoe races on the lake, and enough bratwurst and beer to last through Oktoberfest.
And whatever else whoever else might want.
That’s the plan so far for St. Joseph’s 1990 centennial celebration. Further fun is limited only by the town’s collective imagination.
The city’s centennial committee is shifting into high gear to consider details for the year’s events. All interested residents are invited to attend public meetings and submit suggestions.
The next committee meeting will be held on April 18 (1990) at 7:30 p.m. in the city council chambers.
Steve Dehler, chairman of the centennial organizing committee, said the committee needs help from local clubs, groups and individuals to plan appropriate centennial events. Immediate help is needed, he said, to set up a historical-photo-and-artifacts gallery and design and locate a “time capsule” of current memorabilia.
In its last meeting on March 29, the committee discussed preliminary plans for a parade and street dance on Aug. 18, a cone race the same day, and a special Mass and picnic on Aug. 26.
Attending the meeting were city representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Recreation Association, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Women of Today, Rod and Gun Club, First State Bank, Fire Department and the St. Joseph Laboratory School.
Dehler suggested the main parade be preceded by a kiddie parade and that floats from the traditional July Fourth parade be used in both events.
The centennial parade will be followed by a dance in the Church of St. Joseph parking lot.
The five-piece Twin Cities band, Sneakers and Tight Shoes, will set the pace with music of the 50s and 60s.
The St. Joseph Recreation Association is sponsoring the dance and will sell food and beer there. Other organizations are encouraged to set up concession stands.
The canoe races are sponsored by the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club and will take place on Kraemer Lake. Details of the races have not yet been arranged.
Knights of Columbus is organizing the centennial Mass and picnic on Aug. 26 (1990) in Millstream Park. The Mass will be said by Bishop Jerome Hanus, OSB, of the St. Cloud diocese.
Dehler encouraged residents to help plan the details for these events and suggest other activities. He said they can attend the committee meetings to voice their opinions or phone him.
Centennial buttons are still on sale at local business establishments for $2 apiece.
“We need everybody’s help to make the centennial celebration a success,” Dehler said. “Let’s get together and plan a super party.”
The St. Joseph Centennial button.
