80th Pow Wow has come – and gone – leaving folks looking forward to the 81st with anticipation
The 80th Pow Wow has come – and gone – but it has left behind many memories and folks looking forward to the 81st with anticipation.
Although the weather was a dark cloud on Saturday, June 14, cancelling disc golf, alumni baseball and softball games and the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Parade – as well on Monday, June 16, thunderstorms and heavy rains washing out the evening’s Grande Parade and park activities – you cannot keep a good festival down.
The Facebook page of the Mountain Lake Area Chamber of Commerce – the local business and individual organization that sponors and organizes the “gathering” – noted that Tuesday, June 17 was a record day for attendance and ticket sales. And in between, Sunday, June 15 was a day full of successful activities.
Now . . . mark down on 2015 calendars that the 81st Pow Wow will be held Friday, June 12 through Tuesday, June 16.
Take a photo gallery tour of city park and all that it “serves up” during Pow Wow.
“DILLY’S” BBQ WAS busy throughout all Pow Wow days serving up jerk chicken and barbecued ribs – with more sauces on the side – along with a variety of side dishes. On Sunday, helping out in the food stand were, Greg Bent, left and Demar Rodney, right.
OF COURSE, POW Wow would not be complete without mini-donuts, the “Lil’ Orbits” sending those who crave the hot and sugary treats into orbit.
BUSINESS AT THE Mountain Lake Christian food stand was also hot and heavy, folks lining the bench seats on three sides – eating their meal in “al fresco” style.
THE ESSENTIAL POW Wow food staple – the Mountain Lake Pow Wow Pup.
THE AROMA OF grilled onions filled the park shelterhouse as the Mountain Lake Public School food stand operations were kept on their toes grilling and serving. Grill chef at left is Kjell Eken, with Jaden Hoek, center, and Kristin Pfeiffer, right, topping the hamburgers, cheeseburgers, double hamburgers, double cheeseburger and brats with the grilled taste additive.
FOR A FRESH dairy snack, chocolate, strawberry and vanilla milkshakes could be found at the Cottonwood County Dairy Producers mobile shake shack, manned by personnel from Heritage Village of Mountain Lake. Above, Gary Hildebrandt serves a customer a shake.
EGG ROLLS FROM the Trinity Lutheran Church food stand are always in great demand. Also in great demand is the duck sauce in which to dip the egg roll.
ELI KARSCHNIK TAKES a big bite out of his deep-fried candy bar – Snickers, to be precise.
CALLER AT THE Mountain Lake Lions Bingo Stand in the City Park Gazebo during this shift was Mountain Lake Mayor Dean Janzen.
ETHAN VILLENEUVE OF Windom covers one of the numbers “under the O” on his Bingo card, hoping to win the game and lay claim to the prize he was eyeing – a Minnesota Wild jersey with “Suter” (Ryan, that would be) on the back. However, ill fate was in the cards, and another won the game – and the jersey.
THE FAMILY THAT Bingos together, wins together. Or something like that. Four Fast family members gathered around the Bingo table to play. From left, Kathy Fast, Cory Fast, Kyle Fast and Curt Fast. At back, somehow a Swoboda slipped in at the family table – Derek Swoboda to be exact.
POW WOW TIME is a great family time experience. Jean Haberman, left and Jerry Haberman, right, of Mountain Lake, had the opportunity to spend several days of quality grandparent time with grandson, Jacob “Jake” Brandt of Mankato.
THIS TRIO HAD a super way to see Pow Wow – from the seat of their triple stroller – letting mom doing the walking.
THE PYGMY GOAT knows the routine – and knows what to expect when children begin pulling up the grass – lunch! This goat reached out face-to-face with Grayson Rempel of Mountain Lake, encouraging him to pull “Faster! Faster! I need my greens!” Helping alongside is Aiden Holmberg, also of Mountain Lake.
BRIANNA SOUTTHIVONG OF Mountain Lake slips into the drink from her perch on the dunk stand at the Mountain Lake Wolverines Booster Club stand.
WORKING CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY is not as easy as it looks. This young man found out the hard way as he played the game, “Mighty Payloader,” hoping to move and pick up the prize of his choice.
CUTTING THROUGH THE air – and leaving your stomach behind – on the Sizzler. This trio experiences first-hand the effects of the combination of spin and speed. From left, Laura Rodriguez, Sophie Carrison and Brett Willaby, all of Mountain Lake.
REYNALDO CAPETILLO OF Mountain Lake was fortunate enough to win this large-size stuffed blue-eyed Norwegian Husky at one of the Midway’s games-of-chance. (And he is not going to let it go!)
AS THE SIGN declares, “Prize Every Time” at the fishing game-of-chance. Now, if real fishing excursions made that same promise . . .
A CARICATURIST IN city park quickly and deftly draws the image-on-paper of Jordan Linscheid of Butterfield.
AVERY LESSMEIER, DAUGHTER of Kyle and Katie Lessmeier of Mountain Lake, is considering switching horses in mid-Merry-Go-Round ride.
THE LOCAL DRAMA group – “Inspire” – was the final act performing onstage at the Talent Contest. Their role was not as competitors – but rather, as messengers about life.
AS THE SUN was setting and dusk was fast approaching, Pow Wow-goers, from left, Grace and Randy Lucht of Mountain Lake – carrying a tuckered-out son, Joseph – as well as Nate Olson of Butterfield and his son Aidan, both arms filled with stuffed animal prizes – all realize that the festival is drawing to a close.
THE COLORFUL LIGHTS of the Midway’s food stands brightly lit up the nighttime darkness after the sun set on Tuesday – as well as another Pow Wow – the 80th version.
