The Wanda Gag House parade float received a new paint job. Created 20 years ago, the float honoring artist Wanda Gag’s childhood home received a touch up ahead of Sunday’s Bavarian Blast parade. The paint team includes, left to right, Ron LeBert, Deb Schaefer, LuAnn Lindmeyer and Jeanine Sather.

NEW ULM — Even miniature houses need a touch up from time to time.

After 20 years, the Wanda Gag House parade float received a new paint job. Wanda Gag House members LuAnn Lindmeyer and Deb Schaefer began fixing up the float with the help of neighbors Jeanine Sathers and Ron LeBert.

The float is a miniature replica of Wanda Gag’s childhood home, located at 226 N. Washington Street, New Ulm. The house now serves as an interpretive center and museum dedicated to artistic legacy of the Gag family.

Wanda Gag is famous for her writing and illustrating of children’s books. Her book “Millions of Cats” is the oldest American picture book still in print. Two of her books were awarded Newbery Honors.

In 2003, the Wanda Gag House Association wanted to create a parade float to advertise the museum. The original float was designed and created by Sheldon Rieke.

In the two decades since, the float has appeared in hundreds of parades. Every year it is seen at parades for Bavarian Blast; Parade of Lights, Oktoberfest and at other events in surrounding communities. The Wanda Gag House float was always one of the more recognized exhibits.

Lindmeyer said after 20 years, the float was beginning to see wear and tear. The paint was beginning to fade or chip. Restoration was needed to keep the float going for another 20 years.

Around 90% of the float was repainted over the course of two weeks.

“We’ve got to be detailed when painting,” Schaefer said.

This meant painting straight lines to mimic siding and window frames. They also took great effort to use the correct paint colors. Seven different colors were used to match Wanda Gag’s house.

The float will require additional restoration work before its back to the original look. The miniature house will need to be re-shingled and some of the wooden cats surrounding the float’s perimeter will need to be repaired at a later date. However, the painters assured the float will appear in Sunday’s Bavarian Blast parade.