Godahl packs 'em in for parade

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

GODAHL -- For a small town, Godahl sure knows how to throw a party.

Hundreds of area residents drove to Godahl on Monday to partake in the town's 45th annual Labor Day parade.

Vera Rossbach of Hanska, who serves on the parade committee, estimates that 1,000 to 2,000 people attend the annual parade.

"It's probably the smallest town in Minnesota that has a parade, because we have a population of about 10," Rossbach said. "At one time, the only thing people did on Labor Day was go to Godahl."

Families lined up along Highway 6 to grab good sites, while others sat down for an early dinner inside a community building. Others sat -- and some danced -- to a live band playing on a nearby stage. Children tried their hands at a ring toss game, while a bingo table was being set up nearby.

Ardella and Ivan Aspelund, who live only a mile outside of Godahl, sold tickets for a drawing inside the community building.

Ardella said she looks forward to the annual parade.

"You see old friends you haven't seen in a while," she said.

"People who've moved out of the community always come back for the parade," added Ivan Aspelund.

A cool, windy morning made it feel more like mid-October than early September, but few people seemed to mind. Sweaters and jackets came out a bit early this fall.

Not everyone had on sweaters, though. Tamara Wellmann of Hanska, dressed in an evening gown, kept her arms tightly to her body, trying to keep herself warm.

Wellmann, who sat on a float built by the Business Association of Hanska, said the parade gives her an opportunity to boast about her own small town. Wellmann has attended 10-12 parades this summer, promoting Hanska.

"I've been coming here since I've been a little girl," Wellmann said. "People really support the hometown parades."

Unlike Wellmann, Sarah Braulick skipped the formal wear, saying it was too cold. As dairy princess for the Brown County American Dairy Association, Braulick, 18, has attended many parades this year. Braulick said she particularly likes the Godahl day.

"It's so neat because it's such a small parade, but so many people come out to watch it," Braulick said. "It keeps us excited about coming back."

For Tom Anderson, the parade gives him an opportunity to dispay his restored vehicles and promote his Madelia auto restoration business. Anderson brought his original 1923 Roadster Model T to the parade. Like so many others in attendance, Anderson said he never misses the Godahl parade.

"I've done it for 30 years," he said. "It would feel funny not doing it."

Anna Petermann of Evan, a recent winner of the Senior Citizen Distinguished Service Award, got to ride in a 1958 Ford Fairlane convertible. She tossed candy to the kids along the road and waved to longtime friends.

"The only bad thing about being in the parade is you don't get to see the parade," Petermann said.

For Rep. Elaine Harder, R-Jackson, the Godahl parade is a great place to campaign. Harder and several volunteers passed out stickers and talked about the fall election. Harder said the Godahl parade is the 17th parade she has attended this summer.

"I sure want to be here for the celebration," Harder said. "For many, it's a tradition. It's a sense of community. And they put on a good celebration."

While the parade is an annual tradition for most patrons, Jeff and Susan Wallager were attending their first Godahl Day parade. The Wallagers recently moved here from St. Paul to serve in area churches.

"What is a better way to get to know the area than come to Godahl day?" Susan Wallager said.