Hot days and good times at Ellendale’s Days

A bright, sunny, and hot day greeted visitors attending Ellendale Days on Saturday, June 28.

Car Show

By 9 a.m. more than 60 autophiles had driven into the United Methodist Church parking lot in retro and vintage cars that were more well preserved than many of the newer cars that had brought observers.

Lloyd Kaplan lost no time in snagging one of the Lion Club's homemade cinnamon rolls at the event – his second breakfast. “I ate a bit at home before I came,” he smiles, holding his Styrofoam cup of coffee. Kaplan, who just recently retired his position as Ellendale Heritage Society Treasurer, hadn't brought a car to show, but he's a long-time automobile enthusiast, and was instrumental in bringing Gus' Station to the Steele County Historical Society.

Some of the same people who had brought cars to the Gus' Station Car Show in 2023 brought cars on Saturday. Dana Christiansen of Hartland was one of them with his 1968 Corvette. His wife, Sylvia, was there, too, with a 1974 Challenger. “And both cars have numbers matching,” she said of the automobiles' original components.

Andy Lerberg was there with his 1935 Ford. “I've had it for over 60 years. I went to college in it, and I dated my wife in it,” he said, showing a photograph of himself and his late wife in the vintage car. Kaplan pointed out that Lerberg used to fill the car's tank at Gus' Station in Ellendale.

Monroe Warren and his daughter Alecia each brought a car to the show – he a 2005 Ford Mustang, and she a 1962 Rambler Classic. They bought the 1962 car five years ago as a project to do together. “We just did the breaks,” Warren said of the most recent work on it. Alecia enjoys working on cars. Not only does she have her own car to maintain, but she works at Mrs. Jerry's in Owatonna and Misgen Auto Parts in New Richland.

Car Show Awards

Owner's Choice went to Dale Paulson of Elysian for his 1963 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport.

Mayor's Choice went to Lonnie Bartsch for his 1969 Chevrolet Camero.

People's Choice went to Mike Devriendt of Arizona for his 1932 Ford Roadster. Devriendt, who also received the award for Furthest Traveled, is more than a little familiar with Ellendale; his mom is Lorraine Reese, and he graduated from Ellendale High School with the class of 1969. Now, he owns a salvage yard and 40 automobiles.

Beanbag Tournament

The Beanbag Tournament behind the bar attracted enthusiasts of another sort – those who could throw a beanbag with enough force and accuracy to reach the appropriate holes on the opposite side of the street. People came from far and wide to this event. Mike Hugeback of Kasson and Jeremy Boudreau of Faribault were just two of the many players, some coming from as far as Rochester and Mankato to play.

Bounce Houses

Meanwhile, around the corner from the Beanbag Tournament, several kids were having a tournament of their own devising as they threw basketballs at an interactive display in the wide array of Bounce Houses. Kenzi Ward of New Richland, and Ashley and Madison Schultz of Ellendale busily sold tickets as kids lined up, while Katelyn McGowan managed everything else involved.

There were more Bounce Houses this year than ever at Ellendale Days. “We hired a company – All About Fun Rentals,” said Ashley Schultz, who, along with McGowan, is on the Ellendale Days Committee. McGowan explained that they chose a package deal, which included the additional Bounce Houses.

Balloon Artist

Just across the lawn from the Bounce Houses was David Olson, the Balloon Artist who proved so popular previously that he was immediately asked to return the following year for Ellendale Days. “That's where most of my business comes from,” Olson said, “from repeat business.” Olson has been creating his balloon creations for 35 years and has obviously lost none of his enthusiasm for the trade. He seems delighted when four-year-old Emma Kosec quietly approaches and asks him to make a lady bug.

“I make more than 150 creatures,” said Olson, some of which are displayed on picture cards for people to choose from. “I don't know what I bring,” he said, referring to the random assortment. A machine blows up the balloons for Olson, after which he twists and ties them with hands so practiced that he converses easily with all and sundry without skipping a beat.

His balloons are becoming a little harder to come by. One company he used to order from vanished from the horizon, and others seem unable to supply the special balloons he has run out of. Nonetheless, Olson is more than ready to make whatever customer's want, and grabs balloons from his display as if he hadn't a care in the world.

Craft and Vendor Show

Displays at the Craft and Vendor Show lined both sides of a city block on 2nd St. Several vendors have plied their trade for years, like Tammy Shank, who has been selling Tastefully Simple products for 14 years. “This is the way I cook,” she said, sharing recipes off the top of her head that use products she sells. Tastefully Simple, a company based in Rochester, is a woman-owned business that just celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Tubby Tactical has been in business for seven years. The husband and wife duo Jim and Anne Middleton of Le Roy, Minn. make everything from key chains with compasses and flint and steel fire starters to rifle slings, mug holders and double duty dog leashes. “We've sold more than 3,200 dog leashes in the last three years,” said Anne. All of their products are made from military grade 550 paracord, making them sturdier than anything equivalent one could find elsewhere. Jim, who tests every product they make for at least six months before offering it for sale, spent several years in the infantry before offering some of his own products at his wife's homemade jewelry booth. His products proved so popular, that soon he needed his own booth, and now both of them travel several states offering the military-grade products at events in their walk-in truck trailer store.

Megan Yerhot of Albert Lea has likewise been baking her goodies for Wildflour Confectionery for seven years. The business has been so popular that it keeps her busy full-time.

Sally Walkers of Glenville, Minn. hadn't been to an event in two years, but she was clearly enjoying showing the homemade wares in Sally's She Shack for Ellendale Days. “I never throw anything away,” said Walkers, who turns found or leftover items into cute and useful crafts that are displayed on one side of a converted camper. On the other side of the conveyance are intriguing quilted items, like decorated baseball caps, and Japanese knot bags and origami bags that provide a novel and capacious carry-along. Walkers also pointed out a display of jewelry she made from fishing swivels, “Because Jesus said to be fishers of men,” she enthused.

In addition to those who regularly attend craft and vendor shows were a number of young newcomers.

Paige Dobberstein of Geneva has been making her sourdough bread for two years, but Ellendale Days 2025 was her first event. Dobberstein moved to Geneva from a small acreage outside of Austin, where her parents still reside. Dobbertstin developed her own sourdough starter, and bakes her bread in a conventional oven, four loaves at a time. The generous loaves were so fresh, she advised customers to open the paper bag when they got home to allow the condensation to escape.

Siri Mickelson of Austin has been crocheting cuddly animals for Cuddle Crochets for two years. In addition to an Instagram page and her Etsy shop, Mickelson enjoys attending events with her mom, Kristie Mickelson.

Sydney Lewer, whose parents own the meat locker in New Richland, offered skin care products for Syd's Sleek Renderings. Sydney renders beef tallow several hours at a time in big batches to make her signature products, like soaps, lotions and soothing magnesium oil, scented with vanilla, lavender, or rose in either spray or roll-on versions for sore muscles. Lewer sweetens customer purchases with a complementary lip balm.

Another newcomer to events was Sam Louters of Hollendale, Minn., who brought his Mocha Man food truck. Louters noticed at the Freeborn County Fair that no one was selling cold beverages. He began selling iced coffee and energy drinks three years ago out of a tent, and finally bought the food truck. Louters typically only sells his products at the Freeborn County Fair, but his chilled beverages brought welcome relief to a lot of thirsty people at Ellendale Days on Saturday.

Many other vendors participated in Ellendale Days on Saturday, providing something for everyone, including grace upon grace, which donates all proceeds from jewelry and candle sales to good causes; Dulek Designs with handmade earrings and other crafts; Hen House and Co. of Blooming Prairie with freeze-dried candies; T's Sweet Treats & More; Sheila Steele, selling Avon products; and 507 Sweets, selling edible cookie dough.

American Legion

If the many events made people hungry, in addition to several food trucks, members of the American Legion were selling Smash Burgers behind the bar, all proceeds going toward scholarships for NRHEG students. Glenn Wiesjhan, Jerry Ibberson, vice commander Scott Swanson, and commander Chuck Crabtree were busy with their grilling tools under a shady tent.

Ellendale Heritage Society

For dessert, visitors could wander to the sidewalk in front of Lerberg's grocery store, where Barb Mrotz, Brenda Dokken, Lloyd Kaplan, and Dan Nelson, president of the Ellendale Heritage Society, were selling A&W root beer floats and memorial bricks to raise money for the Ellendale mural. As yet, there is no projected date for finishing the mural project, according to Nelson. “We have to raise the money first,” he said.

Parade

In spite of the warm day, it was clear that not many chose to stay inside during the 4 p.m. parade. People lined the streets as representatives from local and out-of-town businesses and organizations walked, rode horses, or drove their way through Ellendale, throwing candy, cheese, meat sticks, and even T-shirts to a cheering crowd. What the children seemed to like best were the big firetrucks, which drove in a long line down the street as they honked and pulled their sirens.

People weren't in a hurry to leave even after the parade. They still had socializing and evening events to look forward to, like the Mini Carnival at 5 p.m. and the “Ole' Time Concert” by the Albert Lea Community Band at 6 p.m. A Youth Dance at the Community Building took place at 7 p.m., and the Fireman's Street Dance featuring the Shirts and Shins Band rounded out the evening from 8 – 12 p.m.

It's clear that the Ellendale Days Committee worked hard to make this event a success, and the community greatly appreciates their efforts.