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Godahl celebrates 62nd annual Labor Day party

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The Godahl Day Parade wound its way past the Nelson and Albin Store, long the mainstay of this unincorporated town on the Brown and Watonwan county border. Though the closed its doors last December, the Godahl Day celebration carried on, and there are hopes that the building will see new use as a pre-school. See more photos on page 8A.

GODAHL — No one throws a Labor Day party like the unincorporated community of Godahl. On Monday visitors from Brown and Watonwan counties celebrated the 62nd Annual Godahl Days in the small community.

Godahl Day organizer Amy Hanson was pleased with the turnout this year. Several hundred people attending the community get together, which included music, food, bingo, raffle prizes and the Godahl Parade.

The weather was credited for the large crowds as conditions were near perfect for the celebration.

Hanson said the only complaint she received was that it was a bit cold. The early morning temperatures were lower than average but by noon things warmed up and there was no clouds in the sky.

If there was one dark cloud hanging over the celebration it was the loss of the Godahl General Store. The historic store was placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places as the oldest consumer cooperative in Minnesota still in operation. However it was forced to close its doors last December.

Even though this was the first time in 62 years the Godahl Store was not open for Godahl there was hope in that the building would have new life as a pre-school.

Hanson recently purchased the store herself and is hoping to open an Montessori-style learning facility. Hanson said the building might also be used for community and historic events.

There was concern the loss of the Godahl Store would effect raffle tickets sales as there was no longer a centralized location to sell tickets in advanced, but attendance and raffle sales was similar to previous years.

After the parade the Godahl Queen Coronation was held. Last year’s Godahl Queen Mackenze Miest was able to crown her successor. For the last few years Godahl Day has found at least two eligible candidates for the title.

This year the candidates were Sara Craig and Abigail Hagen. Both girls coordinated their outfits for the coronation by wearing purple.

The Godahl Queen is chosen through popular vote. Anyone capable of signing their name is eligible to vote in this election. In past years the vote were collected at Godahl Store in the days leading up to Labor Day, but this year the vote was held in the three hours before the coronation.

Craig was ultimately crown Queen. She will hold the title until next Godahl Day. She said being named Godahl’s Queen was a special honor as her mother, Heidi, was former Godahl Queen.

Revenue generated from Godahl Days helps to support the communities baseball program by providing funds for field maintenance and the recreation center. Each year the profits are used to make needed improvements. The concession stands were recently refitted with stainless steel equipment.

No decision has been made on which improvements will be made this year, but there is support to improve the playground equipment adjacent to the baseball field.

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