Homecoming parade and kiddie tractor pull among the highlights on Saturday in Emden

 

[July 23, 2023] 

Emden’s homecoming festivities continued Saturday, July 22, with several more events. Though it was a hot day, many were still out enjoying the activities.

In the morning, people were out shopping for deals at one of several garage sales in town.

Over at Luther Field on the edge of Emden, St. Peter’s Youth participated in a wiffle ball tournament.

At the Emden grade school baseball diamond, the Sons of the American Legion were selling grilled pork chops throughout the morning.

In the afternoon, people lined the streets of Emden for the homecoming parade, which started at two. There were thirty entries this year.

The theme was “Turn It Up.” Members of the John and Jayne Cross family dressed in 60s outfits carried the theme out well.

Leading the way were Mark Miller in a 1951 M38 Willis and Jeremy Wells of Wells Firearms in a 1990 AM General Humvee.

Next was the Emden American Legion Post 506, Sons of the American Legion and Emden Legion Auxiliary Unit 506.

Grand Marshall was Ladonna Gass, who runs the Emden Whistle Stop Library.

Logan County 2022 Fair Queen Emma Stoltzenburg and Junior Miss Bella Pollice followed behind in convertibles.

Representing Heartland Community College were Jennifer Kirby and the HCC mascot Hunter Hawk.

Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers and Chief Deputy Nate Miller were followed by a few Logan County elected officials and members of the Logan County Republican party.

Driving a junior dragster for “Eads” racing was Kylee Eads. An antique car was driven by Kevin and Linda Zinser.

Organizations represented include the Emden Historical Society, Hartsburg Emden FFA and the Logan County Oinkers Wiffle Ball team.

St. Peter’ Lutheran Church float had several kids on it with a sign that said, “Celebrating Jesus.”

Many area businesses also participated in the parade including the First National Bank of Tremont’s New Holland Branch, Green Prairie Animal Hospitals, M & M Mechanical, Morton Industries, Rohlfs Implement, Sun Ag, AgLand FS and Clark Transportation.

Fire trucks were driven by members of the Hartsburg, Emden and San Jose Fire Departments.

A variety of tractors represented the strong farming community in the area. These included a 1951 Minneapolis Moline, four Allis Chalmers tractors and two John Deere G tractors. A Kubota RTV was also part of the line up.

Rounding up the entries were Emden Mayor John Snyder and First Lady Bev Snyder.

Kiddie Tractor Pull

After the parade was over, 39 children of various ages and sizes participated in the kiddie tractor pull hosted by the Logan County Farm Bureau Young Leaders.

As is customary, the three classes were lightweight, for kids weighing up to 45 pounds, middleweight for those who weighed between 46 and 65 pounds and heavyweight for those who weighed between 66 and 100 pounds.

All the kids made a valiant effort, and a few even did full pulls.

Top winners were Brantley Conrady in the heavyweight division, Anna Wrage in the middleweight division and Coralee Coers in the lightweight division.

In the evening, the Hartsburg Emden class of 2026 held a fish fry and the Sons of the American Legion once again sold corndogs and fries.

The carnival style games, face painting, bouncy houses, and Bingo games continued Saturday evening.

Musical entertainment was provided by Joe Garcia on the piano and guitar and later, the Remedy Band.

It was another fun homecoming weekend for the many people who came to enjoy the festivities.

[Angela Reiners]