In a deeply meaningful tribute to a lifetime of service, entrepreneurship, and community pride, the Janesville Hay Daze Committee has announced Sarah Arnoldt and her late husband, Mayor Andrew “Andy” Arnoldt, as the Grand Marshals for the 2026 Hay Daze celebration.
The announcement comes just months after the Janesville community mourned the loss of Mayor Arnoldt, who passed away on April 24, 2026, at the age of 47. For a festival that Andy loved dearly and served for decades, local organizers and residents agree there is no finer way to honor his memory and celebrate the enduring impact the Arnoldts have made on Janesville.
Two Paths, One Shared Community
Both Sarah and Andy grew up with Janesville at the center of their worlds, though their early backdrops differed. Sarah was raised on a farm just outside of town with her parents and two siblings, learning the rhythms of rural agricultural life. Andy grew up right in town, navigating a bustling household as the youngest of five siblings.
“Between the two of us, we experienced farm life and small-town living, with Janesville being the center of it all,” Sarah recalled. “We were both quite a handful growing up, but our families taught us the value of hard work, and over the years we learned to channel our energy into many different projects, businesses, and various community activities.”
Their paths crossed during high school when Andy was a sophomore and Sarah was a junior. What initially drew Sarah to him was his unmistakable, vibrant energy. “Andy was fun, a little wild, and had a great sense of humor,” she shared. “He could easily make people laugh, and there was never a dull moment around him.”
That high school spark blossomed into a lifelong partnership. The couple married in 2001 and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Together, they raised two sons, Taylor and Tuckor, and tackled life as an inseparable team. “We did pretty much everything together,” Sarah said. “We worked together, spent our free time together, and were rarely apart. Some of our favorite things to do were fishing, traveling, going out to dinner, and spending time with friends and family.”
A Shared Spirit of Self-Employment
The Arnoldts were a force of nature when it came to local business. Believing fiercely in the power of self-employment, they built, owned, and operated an eclectic array of ventures over the last quarter-century. Their business portfolio included Arnoldt Construction, a pet cremation business, Arnoldt Power Washing and Repair, two liquor stores (including Arnoldt’s Good Spirits), Arnoldt Truck Wash, a local laundromat, various rental properties, and a beloved fishing resort in Northwest Ontario.
Even now, that entrepreneurial spirit continues. Sarah is currently preparing to open The Weathered Leash, a new dog grooming, daycare, and boarding business located right in Janesville.
Beyond their business acumen, both possessed unique creative passions. Sarah holds a deep love for interior design, decorating, oil painting restoration, and refinishing antique furniture. Andy, in his younger days, loved spinning records as a DJ and even stepped up as a licensed marriage officiant.
He was also famous for his humor—and his kitchen rule. “Andy was very proud of his ‘world-famous’ chili,” Sarah laughed, sharing a favorite family memory. “Though I would quietly doctor it up behind his back, much to his frustration.”
A Legendary Hay Daze Memory
The Hay Daze festival holds a special place in the Arnoldt family history, filled with years of volunteering and participation in events like Janesville Matters, National Night Out, Uptown Trick-or-Treating, and the St. Ann’s Fall Festival.
When asked about her absolute favorite Hay Daze highlight, Sarah immediately pointed to the Nursing Home turtle races—specifically, a legendary competitor named Fast on the Road. “When our nieces were young, we found a three-legged turtle that our niece named Fast on the Road,” Sarah remembered. “We entered it in the turtle race, and it won! After that, we took the turtle to two neighboring town turtle races. The turtle won one and took second place at the St. Clair race, just missing out on being a Triple Crown winner. It’s a fun family memory that always makes me smile.”
For Sarah, that story perfectly encapsulates what makes Hay Daze so vital. “I like that there are events for everyone to enjoy. It brings people together and creates a strong sense of community and connection.”
Celebrating in Spirit
Representing the community as Grand Marshals is a poignant honor for Sarah, who views the recognition as a tribute to her late husband’s enduring love for the city. “It is truly an honor to be chosen as Grand Marshals,” Sarah said. “There are so many people in the community deserving of this recognition, so it means a great deal. I know Andy would be touched and honored in this way, and feel he will be there celebrating alongside us in spirit.”
As Janesville prepares for the 2026 Hay Daze celebration June 15-21, the community will not only look forward to the parades, races, and summer festivities, but will also look back with immense gratitude for a Mayor who gave his all to his town, and the family that continues to stand at its heart.
