2015 version will be the celebration’s 81st anniversary
This year will note the 81st anniversary of the celebration under the theme, “81 Years of Fun for Everyone!” Events will begin on Friday, June 12 with the Miss and Little Miss Mountain Lake Pageant and will run until Tuesday night, June 16, events winding down around 9:15 p.m. with the raffle drawing for a $1,000 grand prize, two $500 cash prizes – as well as prizes donated by local businesses.Once again there will be an Adult Scavenger Hunt, with clues given at selected events.
The first Pow Wow was held on August 24, 1923, as a one-day event. The festival was given its name by Mountain Lake native, Frank Balzer, who had returned home after attending college at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. While a student at Carleton, Balzer recalled an event called a Pow Wow, which was roughly translated as “a gathering,” and believed that accurately described what were the growing plans for event by its originators. The day included games for the boys and girls, along with a Zephyr Band concert.
Additional early Pow Wow activities included the Cottonwood County Junior Pig show, the winners winning free trips to the Minnesota State Fair; demonstrations by the champions in sewing and baking contests, tugs-of-war, ball games and automobile, horse, wheelbarrow, foot sack, fat men and greased pig races.There were no Pow Wow celebrations for a total of 11 years, spanning the decades, due to a number of reasons, including an infantile paralysis pandemic that closed down events in 1930, 1931 and 1932; World War II stopped short festivities in 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946. It returned again in 1947, but none was held from 1948 through 1951. However – since 1952 (when it was extended to a two-day affair) – Pow Wow has continued year-after-year – in unrelenting fashion.
Here is the 2015 Pow Wow line-up:
Friday, June 12
* Miss and Little Miss Mountain Lake Pageant – “Winter Wonderland,” 7 p.m., Mountain Lake Public School Auditorium. (First Clue for Adult Scavenger Hunt.)
Saturday, June 13
* Pow Wow Tractor Ride, Town’s Edge Auto, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Mayor’s Bike Trail Ride, 9 a.m. to 12 noon (meet at Lawcon Park Boat Landing).
* Disc Golf Tourney, Lawcon Park, 10 a.m. (For ages 13-plus. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. $5 participation fee. Winner receives an award. This is an 18-20 hole recreational tourney. Proper disc golf etiquette and knowledge of the rules are expected. Amateurs only. Tournament should be completed by approximately 12 noon.)
* Alumni Softball Game, Munson Park, 10 a.m.
* Alumni Baseball Game, Munson Park, 12 noon. (Second Clue for Adult Scavenger Hunt.)
* Bean Bag Tournament, Mountain Lake City Park Basketball Court, 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 14
* Mountain Lake Assembly of God Pancake Breakfast, Mountain Lake City Park Gazebo, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Cost, $7 for adults, $4 for kids ages 5-12 and preschool and under are free. Menu includes tons of pancakes, sausages and choice of beverage (coffee, milk or orange juice). All proceeds support the Mountain Lake Assembly Building Project.
* Mountain Lake Ministerial Association Community Worship Service, north side of City Park, 10 a.m.
* Food Stands open in City Park/Mountain Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Booth opens, 11 a.m. (Third Clue for Adult Scavenger Hunt.)
* 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, north side of City Park, 12 noon.
* Mountain Lake Area Booster Club Dunk Tank, City Park, 12 noon to 3 p.m.
* Registration opens for 42nd annual Mountain Lake Pow Wow Road Race, 2:30 p.m., sign-up and all races start at the public high school.
* Mountain Lake Pow Wow Road Race Fitness Walk (1 mile and 2 mile), 3:15 p.m.
* Half-Mile Run, 3:55 p.m.
* Mountain Lake Mile Run, 4:15 P.M.
* 4-Mile Run, 4:30 p.m.
* Pow Wow Kiddie Parade down 3rd Avenue from Peterson Thrifty White Drug and Gifts to City Park, 5:30 p.m.
* Antique, Classic, Hot Rod Car & Tractor Parade and Park-N-Show down 3rd Avenue, 6 p.m. (Registration begins at 5 p.m. at Town’s Edge Auto, located on 3rd Avenue at the east edge of Mountain Lake. Rubber tires only allowed. First 60 line-up participants receive a Dash Plaque.)
* Mountain Lake Ministerial Association-sponsored event, City Park Bandstand, featuring Jeff Deyo in concert, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 15
* Food Stands open in City Park, 10 a.m.
* Commercial Stands open in City Park, 10 a.m.
* Mountain Lake Area Booster Club Dunk Tank, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
* Midway Opens, 2 p.m.
* Hillbilly Bob in City Park during the afternoon and in the evening’s Grande Parade. Sponsored by Town’s Edge Auto of Mountain Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
* Grande Parade down 3rd Avenue, 7 p.m.
* Mountain Lake Area Booster Club Dunk Tank, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
* Following the Grande Parade, Su Fu Du in concert, followed by The Wendinger Band, City Park Bandstand, approximately 9 p.m.
Tuesday, June 16
* Kids Scavenger Hunt in City Park, 11 a.m. (Clues given out every hour until the Medallions are found.)
* Food/Commercial Stands and Midway open in City Park, 11 a.m.
* Free Midway Tickets Drawing every 1/2 hour, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. (Must be present to win; Ages 10 and under.)
* Mountain Lake Area Booster Club Dunk Tank, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
* Kids Pedal Tractor Pull down 10th Street, 3 p.m.
* Mountain Lake Fire Department Kitchen Fire Demo, Mountain Lake City Street Shop on 2nd Avenue, 5 p.m.
* Mountain Lake Preschool-to-Grade Six Student Dance Performance by “Mountain Lake Dance, City Park Bandstand, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
* Free Lynn Stoneking concert, City Park Bandstand, 7:30 p.m.
* Raffle drawing for $1,000 grand prize, two $500 cash prizes and other prizes donated by local businesses, City Park Bandstand, 9:15 p.m.
* Please, no dog or bicycles in city Park during Pow Wow. For your convenience, bike racks are available at the southeast entrance to city Park.
* All times and events are subject to change due to circumstances.
* Raffle Tickets are now on sale at Mountain Lake businesses.
* For more information, contact 1-507-427-2999.
Freedom Riders Rally is the following weekend
The Freedom Riders Rally, usually held Pow Wow weekend, has a change this year. This year’s rally schedule will run from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club (FRMC) Clubhouse, located at 56868 Cottonwood County Road #44, west of Mountain Lake.
Attendees must be age 21 years to enter. Admission is $15 for entire weekend. Those coming are asked to bring their own beverage; coolers are allowed – but please, no glass. Pop, water and food will be available.
There is a camping area for tents, “time-out” campers pulled by bikes and campers attached to a pick-up box. Camping is first come, first served. No pull-behind campers can be on-site. However, Island View Campground is within walking distance.
Performers will include the “Jerry Rodes” band on Friday night and “Sonder,” “Rebel Queens” and “Wicket Garden” bands Saturday afternoon and night.
The Rally Road Run will be on Saturday, June 20, with registration at 11 a.m. and kick stands up at 12 noon.
