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June 23, 1999
Comfrey celebrates centennial this weekendObservance notesspirit of survivalafter 1998 tornadoBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer COMFREY -- To people unfamiliar with the area, this city looks like a new town that sprang up from the dust last month. But to those familiar with the history of the area, Comfrey is a 100-year-old community established as a railroad town in 1899. On Thursday night, the town will come alive as the population triples in celebration of the city's centennial. The city was established by railroad officials, who chose its name from a newly developed cash crop they hoped to establish in southern Minnesota, according to records at the Brown County Historical Society. Comfrey, a type of grain, was unable to survive Minnesota's harsh weather and soon became an endangered species, eventually disappearing completely as corn became the crop of choice for area farmers. Located in Cottonwood Township, Comfrey grew rapidly in the early days, as the simple frame homes and shops soon gave way to more permanent brick structures that filled the downtown area until a devastating tornado in March 1998 virtually wiped out the town. The town refused to die, and it is a celebration of that spirit, as well as a celebration of the town's founding that will be observed this weekend. "We are expecting about 1,100 people for the all-school reunion," Comfrey Mayor Linda Wallin said. "I met people in Washington, D.C. recently who told me they would be here for the centennial. They had a Comfrey connection." People are coming from Georgia and other far-away places to attend the festivities. "We have received funding for our infrastructure, but the street work will not be started when we have the centennial, which was one of our goals," City Manager Linda Friesen said. There will be collectibles on sale throughout the weekend, such as buttons, caps, shirts and pitchers. The festivities will start on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., when officials with the Brown County Historical Society will dedicate the memorial and centennial plaque on Main Street in front of City Hall. Following the dedication, there will be a Little Miss contest, a beard and bustle contest, an ice cream social and a band concert at the newly completed community center. Admission will be a centennial button or $1. Friday events begin at 6:30 p.m. with a kiddie parade, followed by a centennial parade, a performance by the Salvation Army Band and the Su Fu Du Band. All events will take place on Main Street. Following the parades and band performances, there will be a performance by hypnotist John Ivan Palmer at the community center. There will be a charge of a button or $5 for adults and $3 for children. Saturday events start at 9 a.m. with a volleyball tournament at South Park and a run/walk event that begins at South Park with on-site registration. Throughout the day there will be a quilt display and doll show at People's State Bank and a Postal Service Centennial Cancellation at the community center. There will also be a Pee Wee girls softball tournament at North Park. Food and drink will be available on Main Street and Railroad Street throughout the day. At noon there will be an antique tractor pull on Railroad Street. Spectators are admitted free and are asked to bring their own chairs. Evening activities on Saturday include the all-school reunion and supper at the community center, followed by a street dance with music provided by MC Express. All activities are free, but donations are requested during the street dance and reservations are required for the reunion and supper. There will be a drawing for special prizes at 9 p.m. Saturday during the street dance. Festivities will conclude on Sunday with a 10 a.m. ecumenical church service at North Park, or at St. Paul's Church if it rains. Following the church service will be a roast beef dinner at the community center. Tickets are $6.50 for adults; $4 for children 12 and under and 50 cents for children under three. Afternoon events include a three-on-three basketball game on Court Street, a performance by the New Ulm City Band on Main Street, Pee Wee Boys baseball at North Park, a Fun Fly hosted by Windom Sport Flyers at the athletic field and an Elvis show at the community center at 3 p.m. All Sunday events are free, with the exception of the Elvis show, which requires a button or admission of $5 for adults and $3 for children over six. There is a $20 per team charge with pre-registration required for the three-on-three basketball. Spectators are asked to bring a lawn chair to the Fun Fly.
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