Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Howard Lake’s 2013 Good Neighbor Days is bigger and better than ever



HOWARD LAKE, MN – “We’d really like to make this year bigger and better than ever as we celebrate 135 years of community pride, and 35 years of royalty,” said Good Neighbor Days (GND) committee chair Cindy Zitzloff.

The committee has been working hard since mid-winter planning this year’s community celebration, which takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 20-23.

Zitzloff encourages everyone to check out this year’s new events, including the kiddie parade, the Rockin’ R’ Ride Car and Motorcycle Show, the kiddie pedal-tractor pull, and musician Paul Christian.

The weekend gets off to a fun start with the Queen’s Tea Thursday afternoon at Good Samaritan Society-Howard Lake, followed by a kick-off banquet at Codger’s Cove later that evening.

After the banquet, folks can enjoy a peaceful pontoon ride at Lions Park from 8 p.m. to dusk.

Following a weekend full of events for people of all ages and inclinations, the new Howard Lake royalty will be crowned at the coronation ceremony Sunday evening.

Be sure to pick up a GND button, which is available at various locations throughout Howard Lake. It is good for a chance to win cash prizes and free entry into the baseball tournament and coronation.

It can also be used for other discounts at events and businesses during the GND celebration.

35 years of GND Royalty

As usual, the Howard Lake royalty and candidates will be at all of the events scheduled throughout the celebration, beginning with the Queen’s Tea Thursday.

The royalty and candidates also play a big part in assisting at the children’s carnival Saturday afternoon.

There are six girls vying for GND royalty this year, and the lucky Miss Howard Lake and princesses will spend the next year doing assorted community service projects.

Some of their duties throughout the year include:

• helping at one community service project or event per month;

• helping at all fundraising and Howard Lake Lions events;

• visiting community events throughout Minnesota as ambassadors of Howard Lake;

• organizing the “Princess for a Day” fundraiser for kindergarten through sixth grade girls;

• assisting at “Kids Against Hunger” food drives;

• reading to elementary children; and

• helping at St. James Lutheran School concession stand during sporting events.

The young woman crowned Miss Howard Lake has the privilege of representing Howard Lake at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and participating as a candidate for the Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes.

Coronation will take place Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School Laker Theater.

Before coronation, Miss Howard Lake Chelsea Smith and Howard Lake Princesses Kaitlyn Peterson and Ariel Zubrod will travel their last parade route as Howard Lake Royalty at 2 p.m. during the Grande Day Parade.

Children and family events

Back by popular demand is the kiddie parade Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., which is the same time as the KRWC Roadshow.

Another fun event for the family is watching the fireworks, which will be shot off at dusk over Howard Lake.

Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, families can travel from one end of town to the other, enjoying the events taking place.

Attendees may stop by the Howard Lake Library to see what interesting books can be found for summer reading. Sloppy joes and strawberry shortcake will be available in the community room above the library.

A new event this year is the GND Fun Dog Show, which will take place at Cattail Corners from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Another new event will be the city auction, which will take place at 2 p.m. near the municipal liquor store, featuring items such as a minivan, furniture, signs, and tools.

Peanut’s Bluff Petting Zoo, featuring a giant bunny, goats, llamas, sheep, kittens, and chickens, will again be at The Country Store from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

In downtown Howard Lake, the children’s carnival will test children’s game-playing skills, and K&K Bouncers will again be available for kids this year.

On the west side of town, at Midwest Machinery, will be the John Deere “Day of Play,” which will have fun activities for children ages 4 to 8.

Bingo will be played from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the fire hall, and the turtle races will take place at 2 p.m.

Sunday is also filled with child- and family-friendly events, with children’s activities again in the parking lot near the fire hall.

Across the street, in the middle school parking lot, is the Rockin’ R’ Ride Car and Motorcycle Show, and a kiddie pedal-tractor pull will begin at 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Sporting events

The Howard Lake Fire Department is sponsoring a waterball tournament, with area fire departments competing to see who can handle a fire hose the best.

The tournament will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the middle school parking lot.

The Orphans and Pee Wee Reese baseball tournaments will begin Friday, as well.

The third annual bean bag tournament will take place Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. If rained out, the tournament will take place Sunday. Registration is $40 per two-person team.

The 31st annual fishing contest will also take place this year at Lions Park, with a pancake breakfast served by the Lions before the tournament begins, and hot dogs and beverages served during the weigh-in at noon.

Other sporting events that will test participants’ physical skills are the rock climbing wall, the one-block run, the paper airplane toss, and an obstacle course taking place Saturday.

Sunday morning, Howard Lakers can test their endurance skills during a 5k Run for the Lake early in the morning.

Another entertaining sporting event for people to watch is put on by the French Lake Wrestling Association Saturday evening.

Musical entertainment

Plenty of musical entertainment has been planned for the GND celebration, as well.

The band “Unleaded” will be playing behind city hall Friday night, and “Menace” will provide entertainment Saturday night.

Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5:30 p.m., Minnesota musician Paul Christian will be performing his original music in the parking lot of the fire hall.

Schedule of events

Thursday, June 20

2:00 pm – Queen’s Tea at Good Samaritan Society – Howard Lake.

6:30 pm – Sail into Good Neighbor Days Kickoff Banquet at Codger’s Cove. Cost: $7 with button, $8 without button. Dinner provided by Sunni’s Grille of Howard Lake. Banquet sponsored by Howard Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

8:00 pm ’til dusk – Pontoon Rides sponsored by Curt Levang, free-will offering. Sign-up sheets are available at Howard Lake Drug or at the dock at Lions Park and are a requirement to participate in the ride.

Friday, June 21

11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Ice cream and fresh strawberries in honor of Howard Lake Strawberry Festival held in the mid-1940s through the early 1950s. Ice cream will be served at the Citizens Alliance Bank foyer. Sponsored by Citizens Alliance Bank.

4:00 – 8:00 pm – Root Beer Floats sponsored by Good Samaritan Society – Howard Lake (fundraiser) matching funds applied for through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Wright County Chapter. Location under canopy at City Hall.

6:00 pm – PeeWee Reese Baseball Tournament, Yager Field.

6:00 – 10:00 pm – Burger & Fries stand provided by the Howard Lake Lions near the Fire Station.

6:00 PM to Midnight – Beer Garden provided by the Howard Lake Lions near the Fire Station.

6:00 pm – Orphans Baseball Tournament at Memorial Park (2 games), come cheer on the Orphans! Also, a “Ten Year Reunion” Celebration of HLWW High School 2003 Baseball State Tournament Championship will take place between the games.

6:30 pm – Kiddie Parade organized by Trouble’s and Mary Schlief. Sponsored by Trouble’s, the Schlief Family, Zitzloff Snow & Lawn Care, Mumford Sanitation, Wright-Hennepin, Friends of the Library, West Metro Food Allergy Connection, Maurices of Buffalo, Midwest Machinery, MN DNR, Dollar General, Howard Lake Drug, Curt Levang, Wright County Fair Board, Howard Lake Foods, MOPS, Delano Theater, & Kevin Erickson w/ Prospect Mortgage NMLS# 331682.

6:30 pm – KRWC Road Show, Joe Carlson emcee.

8:00 pm – Midnight – Music by “Unleaded” provided by the Howard Lake Lions, behind City Hall.

10:00 pm – Fireworks at Memorial Park. Courtesy of Citizens Alliance Bank and the City of Howard Lake. If rained out, fireworks will move to Saturday night at 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 22

6:00 am – Pancake Breakfast at Lions Park ($5) before Fishing Contest. Also, hot dogs and beverages during the fish weigh-in (approx. at noon). Sponsored by the Howard Lake Lions.

7:00 am – Registration opens for Fishing Contest at Lions Park.

8:00 am – Noon – 31st Annual Fishing Contest at Lions Park.

9:00 am – Noon – John Deere “Day of Play” sponsored by Midwest Machinery at the Midwest Machinery Hwy 12 store. Activities for children 4 – 8 to include coloring contest, face painting, snacks, playing with John Deere Toys, baby chicks, crafts, tractor rides, and door prizes.

9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Book sale, Sloppy Joes, and Strawberry Shortcake at the community room above the Howard Lake Library. During last 30 minutes fill a bag for a $1.00. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Craft Sale. North side parking lot of Citizens Alliance Bank.

10:00 am – 25th Annual One-Block Run. Starts south of City Hall. Airplane Toss to follow the walk/run.

10:00 am – PeeWee Reese Baseball Tournament, Yager Field.

10:00 am – 1:00 pm – HLWW National Honor Society Car Wash at Munson Lakes Nutrition. Donations accepted.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Kotila’s Peanut’s Bluff Petting Zoo. Sponsored by Howard Lake Country Store.

10:00 am – 4:00 pm – K & K Bouncers and obstacle course. Location behind City Hall.

10:00 am – 8:00 pm – Root Beer Floats sponsored by Good Samaritan Society, Howard Lake (fundraiser). Matching funds applied for through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Wright County Chapter.

10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Good Neighbor Days Dog Fun Show sponsored by Cattail Corner at the Cattail Corner store.

10:00 am – registration for showcased events. Prizes awarded.

10:00 am – Airplane Toss (after the One-Block Run).

10:30 am – 3:00 pm – Carnival Games, Fire Station. Sponsored by GND Royalty Committee and Zitzloff Snow Plowing & Lawn Care.

11:00 am to 2:30 pm – 3rd Annual GND Bean Bag Tournament event near Fire Station. $20 per person, two person teams. Cash prizes. Sponsored by the Good Neighbor Days Committee.

11:00 am to ?? Waterball Tournament at HLWW Middle School parking lot. Sponsored by the Howard Lake Fire Department.

Noon – Burger & Fries by the Fire Station. Sponsored by the HL Lions, HLWW After Prom.

Noon – Beer Garden by the Fire Station. Sponsored by the Howard Lake Lions.

Noon – Hot dogs and beverages at Fishing Contest Weigh-In at Lions Park, sponsored by the Howard Lake Lions.

1:00 – 2:30 pm – Bingo sponsored by HLWW After Prom at the Fire Station.

2:00 pm Turtle Races, Fire Station. Sponsored by Howard Lake American Legion Post 145.

2:00 pm – City of Howard Lake Auction near the Municipal Liquor Store (formerly City Hall).

4:30 – 7:30 pm – Pork Chop Dinner, Fire Station sponsored by the HL Fire Department.

5:00 – 7:00 pm French Lake Wrestling Association event, Fire Station.

6:00 pm Orphans Baseball Tournament continues at Memorial Park (2 games).

8:00 pm – Midnight – Music by “MENACE” provided by the Howard Lake Lions, behind City Hall.

10:00 pm – IF RAINED OUT Fireworks display at Memorial Park. Courtesy of Citizens Alliance Bank and the City of Howard Lake.

Sunday, June 23

8:00 am – 5K Walk/Run for the Lake, starting at the NE side of Howard Lake finishing at Memorial Park. Sponsored by the Howard Lake Watershed Alliance.

10:30 am – 2:00 pm – World Food Hunger Program “Chew on This Tour.” Educational recurring film located at the Citizen’s Alliance Bank parking lot organized by Munson Lakes Nutrition.

11:30 am – 3rd Annual GND Bean Bag Tournament, Fire Station if rained out Saturday.

11:30 am– 5:30 pm– “Rockin’ R Ride” 12th Annual GND Car & Motorcycle Rally at the HLWW Middle School parking lot (northside). Organized by Ben Lauzer and sponsored by Zitzloff Snow Plowing & Lawn Care.

Noon – PeeWee Reese Baseball Tournament, Yager Field.

Noon – Beer Garden provided by the Howard Lake Lions.

Noon– 5:30 pm – Many new fun activities at the Fire Station parking lot: Plinko, Food Vendors, Face Painting, Tattoos, Sandy Candy, Hair Feathers, Balloons, Bounce House, and Pit Crew Challenge.

1:00 – 3:00 pm – Root Beer Floats fundraiser by Good Samaritan Society, Howard Lake. Matching funds applied for through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Wright County Chapter.

1:00 pm – Line-up starts for the Grande Day Parade @ the Wright County Fairgrounds.

2:00 pm – Grande Day Parade.

3:00 – 5:30 pm Music by Paul Christian at the Fire Station parking lot.

3:15 – 4:20 pm – Visiting Clown & Balloon Twister at the Fire Station parking lot.

3:30 – 5:30 pm – Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull registration at 3:30 PM Competition to follow. Sponsored by Midwest Machinery, Brose Farms, Minkota Holsteins, Karrie Jo Schmidt Daycare, Friends of the Library, the Schlief Family, and Kevin Erickson w/ Prospect Mortgage NMLS# 31682.

5:00 pm – Carnival Grand Prize Drawing, Fire Station parking lot (need not be present to win).

6:00 pm – Royalty Coronation, Laker Theatre, HLWW High School (Wright.Co. Rd 6 South)

6:00 pm – Raffle Drawing for cash prizes sponsored by the Howard Lake Good Neighbor Days Committee during the coronation.

*Times, locations, and events may change without notice.

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