by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Food, food and more food ruled the day at the Rapids River Days Food Fest June 27 in Sauk Rapids Municipal Park.
Corn on the cob, shish-kebabs, cheese curds, corn dogs, burgers and brats, kettle corn, turkey legs, pizza . . . well, the list was nearly endless. Thousands of people gathered in perfect early-summer weather to enjoy the family food at Food Fest. Besides the food, there was the music of three bands, inflatable toys for kids and the Strongman/Strongwoman competition.
During the warm but breezy day, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., people sauntered the park grounds, sampling foods. Many sat in chairs or at picnic tables, enjoying their foods and refreshments like fresh-squeezed lemonade. There was a relaxed ambiance at the event, and many people stood in groups or sat gathered in semicircles to chat and laugh.
It’s the 27th year of the food-fest event, and, by all accounts, one of the most well attended and successful.
The event was the culmination of several in Sauk Rapids last week. There was the Thursday Ambassador Pageant, the Tanner 5k/1k walk/run and the Rapids River Day Parade. (See related stories.)
Sauk Rapids Police Officer Tim Sigler and Sauk Rapids resident Jeffrey Vogel share a few laughs at River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids June 27.
Nate Rueter serves up Manea’s Meats’ shish-ka-bobs at River Days Food Fest. Rueter is a member of the Manea’s Meats baseball team that plays Monday nights in Sauk Rapids’ Bob Cross Park.
Cynda-Rhea Gorshe and her mother, Lisa Gorshe of Richfield enjoy corn on the cob at River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids June 27. Cynda-Rhea was visiting her grandmother last weekend in Sauk Rapids at the time of the food festival.
The Receders entertained the crowds with oldies-but-goodies at River Days Food Fest. They played the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Morrison and James Taylor, among other classics.
Lines formed all day and into the evening at the perennially popular Cheese Curd shop at River Days Food Fest. The curds were just one kind of many dozens of finger foods served at the annual festival.
Kids have fun spinning around on a merry-go-round during River Days Food Fest in Municipal Park, Sauk Rapids, June 27.
Nora Ferber of Lakeville has fun with her newfound friend, Christopher, at the Sauk Rapids River Days Food Fest. Nora was visiting her St. Cloud grandparents, Ken and Joan Ferber, and they all decided to go to River Days to cool off and have a good time.
Three girls enjoy rocking on a playground toy at River Fest Food Days.
Two friends get ready to lob a water balloon at opponents at the other side of the water-bomb booth at River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids.
Three friends share a lazy-day chat in the shade at River Days Food Fest.
Cheryl and Keith Redmond take a relaxing swing as they watch the river flow by during River Days Food Fest in Municipal Park, Sauk Rapids, June 27.
Fresh lemonade cleverly dispensed from a lemon vending booth was a hit with visitors to River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids Municipal Park.
Children have a blast on the inflatables at River Days Food Fest.
Children have a blast on the inflatables at River Days Food Fest.
Tattoo buddies Andrew Boergner and Hannah Taylor enjoy walking the grounds of River Days Food Fest June 27 in Sauk Rapids Municipal Park. Boerger, who hails from Clay Lake, S.D., was visiting Taylor in St. Cloud when they both decided the Food Fest would be worth checking out. It was, they said.
Jeff Tinklenberg of St. Cloud holds his buddy, Pattie, at River Days Food Fest June 27 in Sauk Rapids.
A picnic bench filled with lemonade cups evokes what a warm but pleasant summer day it was at River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids June 27.
A family from St. Cloud takes a bench break at River Days Food Fest June 27 in Sauk Rapids. From left to right are Frida, Hugo Jr., Hugo, Claudia and Camila.
Visitors to River Days Food Fest sit and enjoy the music performed by the Receders, who perform oldies-but-goodies.
Scrumptious shish-ka-bobs are just some of the specialty finger foods served up at River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids June 27.
Five-month-old Marty (left) and his twin, Miles, enjoy the cool breeze at River Days Food Fest in Sauk Rapids June 27. At left is their mother, Kaylee Stang and at right is her father, the boys’ grandfather, Doug Stang. The Stang family lives in Sartell.
