Goodridge gets ready to celebrate 100 years

The Goodridge Centennial celebration will be held July 3-5, 2015.  A lot of work has went into planning an exciting and entertaining weekend full of events! 

When the Goodridge Centennial Committee started meeting 3.5 years ago, they had no idea how fast the event would arrive. Thousands of volunteer hours have went into the planning and coordinating of the event and it couldn’t have been done without the willingness and help from numerous volunteers in and around the community of Goodridge.

The Centennial Committee is headed by Shannon (Sjulestad) Moen and is made up of various sub-committees, including an All-School Reunion/Alumni Committee (Mary Ann Sjulestad), Beautification Committee (Margie Coan), History (Judy Jones), Entertainment (Jenny Jacobson, Shannon Moen). 

We all know that getting people to volunteer and serve on committees can be tough, but the way Goodridge locals have pulled together to organize such an important weekend is pretty impressive. Chair of the committee, Shannon Moen, said, “It’s been a lot of work…a lot of hard work…but we have tried to make it so people could be involved in an area that interested them. If someone loves to garden, they joined the beautification committee. If someone is a history buff, they offered their time and services in that area. We have had dedicated people putting in many, many hours of their time and it’s all going to pay off!” Many of the committee members already volunteer their time elsewhere in the community, but with a little help from everyone, a fun-filled, busy and exciting weekend has come together quite nicely. 

The intention of the 100-year celebration was to keep the birthday party free of cost to its attendees. Over three years ago, the committee was told to shoot for fundraising around $50,000. The number seemed out of reach at the time, but to date, all entertainment and events have been paid for through fundraising/sponsorship.

Fundraising activities have been a community wide effort. A couple of years ago, the town held a Harvest Ball in conjunction with a Harvest Hall. Folks were able to purchase a $25.00 ticket to attend the ball, which included a steak feed, comedic entertainment and raffles. Over $8,000 was raised from that event alone. The Harvest Hall exceeded all expectations. Area farmers (on a good year!) donated wheat and/or beans to raise dollars for the celebration. A semi went around to each farm and collected the donations and/or farmers were able to make note of whatever amount they so wished at the elevator. Moen said they had no idea what to expect from it and hoped for at least $1,000. When the “Harvest Hall” was all said and done, the elevator cut the committee a check for an impressive $22,000!

That’s what you call a community wide effort and all the hard work and time invested is sure to be noticed and enjoyed by all come July!

The centennial celebration will be July 3-5, 2015. The weekend schedule is full of a variety of events, including free entertainment all weekend. Schedules are posted all around the communities of Goodridge and Grygla, and include:

Friday, July 3rd: All School Reunion Program, Old Time Dance with Julie Lee & The White Rose Band, Street Dance with Eagle Creek.

Saturday, July 4th: Goodridge Lion Tamers Sponsored Breakfast, Centennial 5k/10k Run/Walk, Flea Market and Craft Show, Historical Buildings Open for Tours, Games Galore Blow Up Fun Houses, Kiddie Parade and Games, Sons of Norway Kringen Accordion Band, Car/Tractor Show, Horseshoe and Sand Volleyball Tournaments, School Staff/Faculty Meet & Greet Open House, Talent Show, Goodridge Area Century Farms Recognition Program, Steve Porter’s Trophy Whitetail Deer Exhibit, Caricatures, Adult Games, Ca Clauque French Canadian Band and Dancers, Slide Show of area veterans, Old Time Dance with The 57 Chevy Band, Street Dance with Stimulus Package.

Sunday, July 5th: Ekelund Church Sponsored Breakfast, Ecumenical Service, Veterans Memorial Dedication, Grand Centennial Parade, Live Music.

There will be various souvenirs available to purchase around Goodridge over the weekend; shirts, hats, tank tops, cookbooks and a limited supply of the history books that are over 600+ pages will all be available to buy.

Also to mention, the committee is still looking for entries for the following: Kiddie Parade (July 4 at noon), Big Parade (July 5 at 1pm). Contact Deanna Coan at 218-378-4270 or Jennifer Kotrba at 218-689-6971. If you are interested in participating in the talent show, which is July 4th at 2pm, you can also contact Jennifer Kotrba. For anyone interested in being in the sand volleyball tourney, contact Jenny Jacobson at 218-689-0098. Those interested in the horse shoe tourney can contact Adam Sjulestad at 218-280-5787. Car n’ Tractor Show entries can contact Jon Wilson at 218-681-5738 and flea market entries can call Alison Kangas at 218-689-2099.

Mark this special weekend on your calendar and plan to attend! A lot of hard work and dedication has went into the upcoming celebration and it’s sure to be a hit with area residents.