by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
SummerFest 2014 last weekend turned out to be a rainy shame.
Well, mostly, anyway.
A series of off-and-on rains forced the cancellation of the traditional Grand Day Parade, sponsored by St. Cloud Federal Credit Union. For two decades, that parade attracted thousands of people who lined the streets to watch parade floats, variety acts and high-school bands strut their stuff.
The Grand Day Parade was cancelled because of rain only once before in the 23-year history of Sartell SummerFest. That was in 1994.
The fireworks show, scheduled for Saturday night, also had to be cancelled. Sponsored by Blue Line Bar and Grill, the show was supposed to have wowed the crowds at dusk south of Great River Bowl.
That’s the bad news. The good news is the Libertyville Family Fun Extravaganza not only took place Friday night, but it was a resounding success with thousands of people showing up for music, face-painting, tattoos, picnics on the grass and several spectacular inflatables. The sunny, warm weather held out nicely for the event.
There was some other good news. The SummerFest running races went off without a hitch Friday evening at the same time Libertyville was underway – both at Pinecone Regional Park.
Rain also did not ruin the All-Grades School Reunion at the old Sartell School, now the District Services Building. Alumni who attended enjoyed trips down Memory Lane, as well as guided tours of their old school buildings and bus tours of the city.
There was one more silver lining in a rain-drenched weekend. The bands Whiskey Tango and Diamondback, slated to play at a street dance, played instead inside the Great River Bowl and Partners Pub. Unfortunately, most people stayed home, thinking the music event would be cancelled. Still, about 150 people did enjoy the indoor music.
Jason Mathiasen and Amanda Scott, the co-chairs of Sartell SummerFest 2014 were naturally disappointed by the rain-caused cancellations. On early morning Saturday, at about 8:30 a.m., they made the decision to cancel the parade and the fireworks. To the very bitter end, they were holding on to hope the weather would clear up enough. It didn’t. Both were in intense communications with a number of agencies, getting minute-by-minute weather updates. But, finally, alas, messages from emergency management and the Sartell Police Department spoke of the possibility of high winds during the time of the parade – 10 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m.
“The bands had been arriving in Sartell as early as 8:30 a.m.,” Mathiasen said. “But we (Scott and himself) had to make a decision. It was such a hard decision to make. We had to cancel the parade.”
At 10 a.m., Mathiasen also gave a call to Melrose Pyrotechnics to cancel the fireworks Saturday night. He knew the crew would be just about ready to come to Sartell, and he wanted to let them know they shouldn’t go through the trouble of packing up and traveling since the weather outlook was so bleak.
Another bit of good news: Mathiasen said there will still be a Sartell fireworks show put on by Melrose Pyrotechnics this summer. The time and date will be announced later.
Mathiasen, who is the owner of Great River Bowl and Partners Pub, said that, disappointed as he is, he was still very happy the Friday evening events went so well. Libertyville was a hit with people, and warm weather – a break from clouds and rain – made it possible.
“I can’t thank Liberty Bank and its president, Mark Bragelman, enough,” he said. “Liberty Bank was named Sartell Business of the Year recently, and Libertyville is why they won that award. They make a real commitment to Sartell and to other cities, and we in Sartell should feel very lucky they decided last year to do Libertyville here. They don’t do things half way. They go all out.”
For years, Sartell SummerFest featured a Family Fun Carnival at Sartell Middle School right after the Saturday parade. Last year, Libertyville began at Pinecone Regional Park. It was a big crowd-pleaser last year and it was again last Friday evening.
photo by Jack Hellie
A virtual stampede of children dash off from the starting line of the 1k Kids’ Fun Run Friday by Sartell City Hall. The fun run is one of three races-walks that occurred during the opening night of SummerFest 2014. Unfortunately, rain washed out most of the festival’s events, including the parade Saturday morning.
photo by Jack Hellie
A big group of runners takes off from the starting line of the 5k Run during Sartell SummerFest 2014.
photo by Dennis Dalman
At Libertyville Friday evening, the Sartell Area Community Band, led by conductor David Lumley, entertains its audience with a series of mainly pop tunes. The event, part of Sartell SummerFest 2014, attracted a huge crowd.
photo by Dennis Dalman
At the SummerFest Libertyville event June 13 in Sartell, a ferocious dinosaur dares little ones to take a ride down the inflatable chutes it guards.
photos by Dennis Dalman
William Mayer of Sartell looks a bit leery as he gets a face-painting. A look in a mirror does not convince William that he likes the cartoon character on his cheek. The face-painter is Darcy Young of Maud Entertainment, based in Mound.
photos by Dennis Dalman
William Mayer of Sartell looks a bit leery as he gets a face-painting. A look in a mirror does not convince William that he likes the cartoon character on his cheek. The face-painter is Darcy Young of Maud Entertainment, based in Mound.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Officer Jill Luehmann of the Sartell Police Department braves a perch on the dunking chair during the Libertyville family-fun event Friday at Pinecone Regional Park. Seconds after this photo was taken (see below), Luehmann quickly disappeared from view as she plunged into the water below.
photos by Dennis Dalman
Officer Jill Luehmann of the Sartell Police Department braves a perch on the dunking chair during the Libertyville family-fun event Friday at Pinecone Regional Park. Seconds after this photo was taken (see below), Luehmann quickly disappeared from view as she plunged into the water below.
photo by Jack Hellie
Sartell Police Officer Beth Dahlstrom plunges into the dunk tank after a boy succeeds in tossing a ball to the tank’s release mechanism. The event at Libertyville June 13 raised money to help fight autism.
photo by Jack Hellie
A group of children is eager to start the 1k Kids’ Fun Race at Sartell SummerFest 2014.
photo by Jack Hellie
Children await their turn for a chance to sit in the big firetruck during Libertyville in Pinecone Regional Park.
photo by Dennis Dalman
A Sartell-LeSauk Fire Department truck was a hit with children at Sartell SummerFest’s Libertyville family-fun night Friday. There was a huge turnout for the event, with a beautiful break in rain-threatening weather. Unfortunately, the next morning, the annual SummerFest parade had to be cancelled due to rain.
photo by Jack Hellie
A girl smiles with triumph as she approaches the finish line during the Sartell SummerFest 2014 race June 13 in Pinecone Regional Park.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Festival-goers line up for food and refreshments at Libertyville Friday at Sartell’s Pinecone Regional Park. Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes (center) is about to order a hamburger.
photo by Jack Hellie
Pat Marushin of Sartell gives a thumbs-up at the finish line of the 5k SummerFest 2014 Run.
photo by Jack Hellie
A boy approaches the finish line of the 5K Run at Pinecone Regional Park. The event was part of Sartell SummerFest 2014.
photo by Jack Hellie
A massive crowd gathers for Libertyville fun and games in Sartell’s Pinecone Regional Park June 13. The event was part of SummerFest 2014, most of which was rained out.
photo by Dennis Dalman
A long line of booths at Libertyville had just about something for everyone who came to the family-fun event. There were face-painting, tattooing, a wheel of fortune, food and beverages.
photo by Dennis Dalman
An invading octopus on board a busted pirate ship was a spooky-but-alluring attraction for children at Libertyville Friday in Pinecone Regional Park. It was one of many fun inflatables at the event, which also featured food, games and music.
photo by Dennis Dalman
A boy tries his luck at a wheel of fortune in a booth at Libertyville Friday at Pinecone Regional Park. The event, now in its second season, is sponsored by Liberty Bank and is part of Sartell SummerFest 2014. A school bus (see background) shuttled groups of people to the festival from the parking lot of Pine Meadow Elementary School.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Sartell residents and a friend from St. Cloud enjoy a lawn chat Friday at Libertyville, a SummerFest festival event in Pinecone Regional Park. From left to right clockwise, starting with the woman with popcorn, are Breonna Phillips, Hunter Branson (St. Cloud), Bethany Haehn, Abby Bernadot, Christi Bernadot, Jill Haehn and Andy Haehn.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Children have some bouncy fun at one of the many inflatables Friday at Libertyville in Sartell. The perfect break in the weather attracted thousands of people to the event.
