Despite some heavy rainfall, the St. Clair community was able to enjoy the majority of its week-long celebration from June 17-23. The first event consisted of a hunt for a Medallion that had a group of five whippersnappers searching high and low for nearly four days. The Athletic Backers also started their preparations for a raffle held on the 23rd, by selling tickets to any willing to take a gamble to win some fabulous prizes. I didn’t win anything in the raffle, so it was all just a bunch of bunk.
Thursday, June 19 was meant to be the official kickoff of St. Clair Days with a Mankato Moondogs game that would’ve featured Grand Marshals Jody and Scott McConkey throwing the first pitch, but the heavy rainfall eventually resulted in the game being postponed for a future date.
However, the weather failed to dampen the residents of St. Clair as Friday, June 20 brought people from the community in droves as the American Legion held a burger bar that quickly sold out, a handful of young ladies participated in the Little Miss St. Clair, JP Fitness organized the annual Fun Run 5k with a pajama theme…no bunny slippers or long John’s though. Lastly, families could end the evening with some bonding time as a movie was shown in the multi-purpose gym.
Saturday proved to be the crescendo for the week-long celebration as the morning began with a Pancake breakfast provided by the Fire Department and hundreds of hungry patrons chowed down. At the same time, the St. Clair Historical Society displayed an exhibition of the Winnebago Indians and how their impact on the St. Clair region spans across decades. By noon, the competitive juices were on full display as eight teams battled in the second annual Kickball Throwdown tournament. Notable members of the Cyclone community like Mark Quast, Ashley and Tyler Sander, Ben Stover, even recent alums like Brandon Meng and Irie Hansen showed off their athleticism and competitiveness. Actually, the championship match between The Neons and the Benchwarmers became a little…too heated as both teams refused to agree on the final score and the game was called due to some unruly behavior. It’s a kickball tournament, fellas!
The Legion would host its annual tradition of bingo that ended with a cover-all game that resulted with two winners–one being recently graduated senior Elsa Hansen. The evening ended with the new and improved Beer Garden that would allow patrons aged 18-21 entry and it served to be a welcome addition as the space was nearly filled with eager fans as Azby and Junk FM played a bakery variety of classic rock, country, and some hot hits.
Sunday brought everyone and their uncle to St. Clair as the last day of the celebration featured a parade that had a number of decorated golf carts lead the pack with one being configured as a tank, one had whiskers and cat ears attached while a third resembled Slink from Toy Story. The main parade had a number of local businesses like St. Clair Bank, Moonlighting Landscaping, Ground Works Excavation, and others as handfuls of candy and the occasional spritz of water washed over scores of children and one eager reporter. After the parade, the rest of the day was reserved for the children of the community to unwind as Memorial Park entertained with face painting, a petting zoo, turtle races, and a pedal pull kept many families occupied until it was supper time. The Backers would then hold their raffle drawing, but I didn’t win anything, so nothing here to mention.
Some events here and there were either canceled or altered because of the rainfall, and while the weather affected many in the St. Clair and neighboring communities, their spirit and camaraderie could not be washed away as the week-long celebration of St. Clair Days closes for another year.
