The parade featured 72 registered entries, starting with the Sleepy Eye Police Department and ending with Cliff Lux Farms. Two area businesses served as Grand Marshals for the parade. Randy’s Family Drug & Gift is Sleepy Eye’s small business of the year, while Haala Industries is the large business of the year.

Temperatures were in the 90 degree range as the sun beat down on attendees and parade participants alike before and during the parade. Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christina Andres explained the situation given the hot weather.

“We hope everybody is well hydrated along the route,” she said. “Set up begins as early as 4:45 for those vehicles to get in place. Hopefully while they’ve parked or where they’re getting assembled they’re taking measures to seek air conditioning and stay hydrated. That’s going to be the biggest thing. The beauty of it is a majority of the parade route is tree covered. Onlookers get the relief of the trees and the shade.”

While onlookers had the shade, relief also came from the Sleepy Eye Fire Department. They cooled down parade attendees by activating their hoses and spraying water along the parade route. The Zuhrah Ho-Ho Classic Cars made an appearance as well, zooming in fast-paced formations. New Ulm was represented by 3M and the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce

Photo by Clay Schuldt: The Sleepy Eye Fire Department cools down some attendees at Sleepy Eye Summerfest's Grand Parade Saturday. The spray provided much needed respite, as temperatures were in the '90s during the parade as they had been all day.

Andres has been assisting in the parade’s organization since she became Executive Director in 2016. Since she started, one challenge has always been important to address

“Safety is always one of the challenges,” Andres said. “We have an amazing emergency response team. Our police department does really well. They sit at various corners throughout the parade to make sure people stay back far enough for our really large implements like combines and tractors. Making sure [people are] watching their children. Sometimes [people] get distracted talking and having fun; making sure the kids stay far enough back while large things are taking place.”

After all of the set up is complete and the parade participants are in position, Andres enjoys being able to see the fruits of everyone’s labor.

“I enjoy seeing the joy it brings my community members,” she said. “I know how big of a monumental event it is for them. I’m happy we can continue to provide that experience and we hope they bring their friends and even their future families here to experience this small town parade too.”

Summerfest wrapped up Sunday with a Bass Fishing Tournament from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sportsmen’s Park on Sleepy Eye Lake.

Youth compete in a quarter mile run around Allison Park at the Sleepy Eye Summerfest Saturday.

A crowd of runners and walkers complete in the Of Kolsh You Can 5k run/walk around Sleepy Eye Lake Saturday at the Sleepy Eye Summerfest. Runners include from left Greg Hartmann of Gibbon and Joey Zitzman of Otsego. —photo by Fritz Busch

Photo by Audra Shaneman Local royalty from Gibbon and Fairfax enjoyed the Little Crow Water Ski Team performance on Sleepy Eye Lake.