Main Street News: August 29

Another Potato Days weekend has come and gone. Over Potato Days, I hope you had a chance to take in some events, enjoy some great food, activities and fellowship. Of course, many of us in town took the opportunity to help out an organization or group as well. It is astonishing how many volunteer hours go into an event of this size. Many thanks go out to everyone that did their part to make Potato Days a success. That includes everyone who extended a heartfelt welcome to all of our guests in town.

Now that Potato Days is over, the summer activities have come to a close. Glue and markers are being put into the back packs and the new sneakers are just waiting for the first day of school. Educators and school staff have been busy readying their classrooms and school facilities for the first week. Parents are busy with last minute preparations of schedules and planning, transportation and changes in child care services. We want to wish all of the students and faculty heading back to school a great year ahead! As many return to the fall school schedule, evenings are filled with sports activities. Best of luck to both the football and volleyball teams in a great season!

When school is back in session it marks a new season for everyone!  The Main Street Program is busy working on an Area-Wide Rummage Sale scheduled for September 24^th.  That means it’s time to go through your cupboards, closets, & garages to clean out! Look for more information in the Record Review on how to sign up for the rummage sale.  We are also looking for any farmers or gardeners who would like to sell their fall goods on this day.  If you are interested, please contact the Main Street Program for more information at 354-2479.

Main Street News: August 22nd

It’s here! The week everyone has been waiting for. Growing up just 30 minutes away from Barnesville, I have always been familiar with Potato Days. I’m proud to say I’ve been one of the 20,000+ people that have come to Barnesville to take part in all of the fun. It will be an exciting time as I’m sure many residents have family and friends coming to visit while the festivities are happening in town.

Just like many of our Main Street events, the many helping hands willing to pitch in are an essential part to what makes Potato Days a success year after year. The residents of Barnesville contribute countless number of volunteer hours, whether it’s on the Potato Days Board, volunteering at an event or working for a local organization’s food stand. Many of these groups depend on the funds raised in these two days to carry out their services and programs in the community.  And that service continues to grow and multiply throughout the year. 

We need to do what we can to support Potato Days and these organizations.  It’s not too late to get involved with the two day festival.  Check with someone you know who is a member of an organization or church.  Offer to help out.  Pick an event or club that you would like to help with then give them a call and ask.  I’m sure you won’t be turned away. You will benefit and so will the club and the community as a whole. The Potato Days tabloid in last week’s Record Review has a number of names which you could contact.  If you still don’t know who to ask, give me a call and I will track down some information for you.  You’ll be glad you did.

I also want to congratulate Potato Days on their 25^th anniversary! Numerous people have worked hard to keep this event running for this many years.  Like many of you, I’m excited for another great festival this year. See you there!

Main Street News: August 15th

This Thursday, August 16^th we are teaming up with the Barnesville EDA to host Business After Hours. This is going to be a fun night held at the Jacobson’s beautiful property outside of town, called the Vintage Garden. This free event is open to all Barnesville business owners and employees from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. There will be complimentary hors d'oeuvre and lemonade, as well as a cash bar onsite. We are putting this event on to bring the Barnesville business community closer together. We hope everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to make business connections outside the normal nine to five office setting.  It is also guaranteed to be a fun night as we have yard games for everyone to enjoy, as well as tours available to see the gorgeous property. We want to thank Ben Jacobson for allowing us to visit their venue, as people are waiting for an opportunity to see what it’s all about! We hope to see everyone there!

This event has been headed up by our summer intern Christena Goedtke. Being that it is her last week with us, I want to thank her for all of her hard work these last few months! It has been a pleasure to work with her and we wish her all the best as she heads back to Grand Forks to complete her final semester of college. 

Main Street News: August 8th

I can’t believe that the calendar is now saying August. It seems like the time is flying by! Now as I finish putting everything away from the Community Picnic for another year, I can’t help but look back on that night and smile. I smile not because Mother Nature cooperated (hmm, well that might have a little something to do with it!) I smile not because my feet are finally forgetting how much they hurt after reaching 20,000 steps that day.  But I smile because each year Barnesville residents come together on this night and celebrate how amazing their community is and how wonderful the people they call their neighbors are. Since I didn’t grow up in town and have lived here just over a year, I have a little bit of an “outsider’s” perspective of the community. It was fun to look around at the Community Picnic and see how everyone interacted and came together just to relax and have a good evening in great company. One word came to my mind, and it is the one single word I can use to describe the citizens of Barnesville. That word is proud. You could tell the parents were proud of their kids on stage competing for Miss Barnesville and Princess Blue Eagle. You could tell the organizations present were proud to serve Barnesville, including the Main Street Program. And you could definitely tell that everyone was proud to call Barnesville home.

Originally, Miss Barnesville would have been the next event on the Main Street calendar. Because we already crowned our new royalty at the community picnic, we don’t have any scheduled events in August besides Show ‘n Shine this Thursday the 11th^th. We know everybody in town will be busy getting ready for the much anticipated Potato Days, so this might not be so bad. This will also give everyone time to go through your closets to get ready for the Fall Area-Wide Rummage Sales on September 24^th!

Main Street News: August 1st

Barnesville has been a busy place the last couple of weeks.  It’s been exciting to see visitors in our community. The recent Clay County Fair and last week’s Community Picnic have all been well attended. It’s been more than great to have all of these opportunities to celebrate together, work together and play together as a community!

I hope that you were able to attend the Evening at Blue Eagle Park Community Picnic on Thursday, July 28th. A beautiful July evening was the setting for our gathering. There was good food, great music, activities galore and wonderful conversation with friends and neighbors.  The Main Street Program and the Promotions Committee would like to thank the Barnesville Lions, the Barnesville Booster Club and the City of Barnesville for their sponsorship of the picnic and its activities. Without their donations, the event would not have been possible.

Special thanks goes to Trever Moen and the entire Public Works Department, Guy Swenson, Barnesville Police Department and Barnesville Ambulance for their help and work at the park getting everything prepared and equipped. A huge thank you goes to Valley Care and Rehab for their donation of the macaroni salad.  It was delicious! Also thank you to the Barnesville Area Community Fund for donating the water. The evening was made complete with the Eagle Cafe Club cooking the meal.

The park was busy with all kinds of activities. Inflatable games are always a hit for children of and age. The return of the barrel train and fireworks created excitement for all! The DJ’s music and activities rounded out the fun. Several community organizations and groups were there with treats after dinner.  Special Thanks to all these folks for their efforts at making the picnic so much fun.

I would also like to congratulate Alexis Pederson as being crowned as Miss Barnesville 2016 and Ava Foster for being crowned Princess Blue Eagle! I know Alexis and Ava will represent us well! You will be able to see them riding in the Potato Days parade, various area parades, Showcase, and the picnic next year. Special thanks to all of the local support for this year’s Miss Barnesville crowning, as well as the many hours put in by the Miss Barnesville Committee. These ladies are wonderful to work with. We would love to hear any suggestions about how to promote Miss Barnesville going forward!

We would also like to thank all of the volunteers who came and helped with the games, served food, or just had other jobs throughout the evening.  They are too numerous to mention.  The Main Street Promotions Committee of Lindsay Bontjes, Michelle Field, Janet Rasmussen, Brooke Fradet, Jill Moen, Katie Van Den Einde, and Cindy Zander have put in many hours of planning and preparing for this event. Without their willingness and efforts, it would not be held. Thank you to the Main Street Board of Directors for their support.  Everyone’s help and commitment is what makes living in a small town like Barnesville so great!

Main Street News: July 25th

This week’s Evening at Blue Eagle Park Community Picnic will be held on Thursday, July 28th.  This is an annual event that many residents look forward to each year. This year’s Community Picnic will continue with the tradition of fun activities, food and fireworks.

Come over for a delicious meal. From 6:00-7:30, pulled pork, brat or hot dog plate meals are all available for a minimal charge. We have to thank the Eagle Café for catering the event, as well as Valley Care and Rehab for donating the delicious macaroni salad! The park will be alive with activities, treats, music and entertainment. Many community organizations will be serving treats for free or small charge. Help support worthwhile organizations that in turn support many programs and activities in our town. The Barnesville Area Community Fund is also providing water for everyone with dinner!  

Double A DJ will return with great music and games for everyone. Have some fun with the Hula Hoop contest, water balloon toss or limbo contest. It is such a treat to see those ‘young & old’ residents participate and enjoy themselves. Our hometown hero’s will also be at the picnic for kids to get an up close look at the police vehicle and ambulance. We are hoping AirMed will also be able to join us that night!

This year at the picnic, we will also be crowning our 78th Miss Barnesville and Princess Blue Eagle. At 7:30 pm we will be find out who the winner is that will be representing our town for the next year.

The DJ music and games, excellent food and inflatable games will more than complete the evening. We will top the evening off with a return of the favorite - fireworks!  Shot over the lake it promises to be another excellent show. We have to thank the Barnesville Lions for their generous donation to make this possible year after year! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to use on our natural “stadium-style” hill to enjoy the beautiful display.

Many businesses and organizations in town have graciously donated again this year to defray the cost of the inflatable games and activities for the kids. Their contribution helps to keep this a free activity for everyone. Special thanks to everyone for their support!

As you can see, the Community Picnic has become more than a meal. It is a great opportunity to enjoy summer and make new friends or see some old ones as we celebrate Barnesville’s home town spirit. It is a night of fun for all ages and a gathering to enjoy the community in which we choose to live and work and raise our families.  We look forward to seeing you there! 

Main Street News: July 18th

Are you new to town?  Do you enjoy gathering with friends and neighbors for some relaxation and visiting? Would you like to meet new people? The Evening at Blue Eagle Park Community Picnic is just the answer for all of you saying YES! This year’s Picnic will be held on Thursday, July 28th. This annual event is a great time for all Barnesville residents to gather and enjoy good food, and participate in family activities. This year’s Community Picnic will continue the tradition of fun with many things to do or just provide an opportunity to sit and visit with your friends and neighbors. What a great opportunity to enjoy summer and make new friends or see some old ones as we celebrate Barnesville’s home town spirit.

Our picnic dinner will be served from 6:00 – 7:30 pm with hot dogs, brats, pulled pork sandwiches. Each meal will also include chips, beans, and lemonade. We also can’t forget the infamous macaroni salad donated by Valley Care and Rehab. From 7-9 pm, the park will be alive with games, games and more games as well as numerous local organizations will be us with treats. Inflatable games are available for no charge for the children from 6-9:30 pm. There are opportunities to visit with those organizations and representatives from the Police and Ambulance Departments. We are also hoping AirMed will be able to join us this year. Stop by to learn more about all of these entities and say thank you to them for their services!

Entertainment for every age will be provided.  Double A DJ will be playing your favorite music with dancing games and activities, so bring your dancing shoes too!! We will also crown our new Princess Blue Eagle and Miss Barnesville starting at 7:30. Around 10 pm, the evening will close with fireworks over Blue Eagle Lake. It is perfect way to end a wonderful night. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and join us on the hill for a celebration for the eyes.

A special thank you for the donations and support of the event goes out to Valley Care and Rehab, the Barnesville Booster Club, Barnesville Lion’s, Barnesville Area Community Fund and the City of Barnesville. Without them this event would not be possible.  THANK YOU!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 28th. The Community Picnic and Blue Eagle Park won’t be the same without you!