Old fashioned 4th in area

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

CAMBRIA -- Residents and supportive area neighbors came together Thursday to put on tiny Cambria's 131st annual Fourth of July patriotic program.

A parade featuring at least 24 units, an hour-long program of patriotic songs and a speech, burgers and games in the park, a fancy cake auction and a rousing fireworks display at dusk were all part of Cambria's celebration. A sunny sky pushed the mercury over 90 degrees as the parade started.

Georg and Paula Marti and the crew from nearby Morgan Creek Vineyards followed right behind the Honor Guard. Riding in the back of a pickup, Georg provided musical accompaniment on a button "squeeze box" while the others tossed candies to spectators.

Twelve units back, the Marties' Airedale, Duncan, proudly showed off his stuff. Duncan makes a better parade marcher than the rodent-ridder that he's supposed to be at the vineyards, Paula Marti said later.

What must have been the entire fleet of fire trucks at the Courtland Rural Fire Department followed. An ancient fire truck led, trailed by three older and almost brand-new pumper and ladder trucks, a water tanker and a van.

There were tractors, golf carts, a local four-wheeler club and a classic car. A combination unit of motor bikes and bicycles featured a youngster on a miniature, electric motorcycle.

There were politicians and a Tommy Gun Paint Wars float, a decked-out pickup and as the final unit, a trailer carrying the New Ulm High School Eagles baseball champs.

A patriotic program at the Town Hall followed with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner," the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by the Rev. Penny Johnson of Cambria Presbyterian Church.

The program opened with Barb and Becky Antoine, a mother-daughter duo, singing "Blue, Red, and White," and "God Bless America." Then, the Cambria Kids directed by Sara McGuire, illustrated the words of "America, the Beautiful," with drawings and sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

The Rev. Timothy Berg, campus chaplain at Minnesota State University, Mankato, told the group that "as terrible as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, might seem," the nation has been through worse and come out of it stronger, more resilient.

He spoke of the sacrifices made by Americans in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. What made them worse, he said, was that "in each of those wars, Americans fought other Americans."

Following a community sing-a-long in the Town Hall, the cakes were auctioned off. Games of "burst-the-balloon" and horseshoes were played in the park, and the evening featured the fireworks display, orchestrated by Winton Jones.

At Sleepy Eye, buffalo burgers were the main course throughout the day at Allison Park. There was bingo, an ice cream social and old-time and country music to accent the food. Egg tossing and water balloon toss contests followed later in the afternoon, and the day's events were capped by a fireworks display over the lake.

Having had fireworks Wednesday night, New Ulmites continued their Fourth of July celebration with polka and old-time music in Turner Hall Park in the afternoon. Bands taking part included Leroy Flor, Wendinger Brothers, Cletus Goblirsch and the Jolly Jammers.