HANSKA - The annual Syttende Mai parade went off without a hitch even though a high-level cloud bank cruising in on a southeasterly course spewed some light sprinkles over the city at the very end of the 67-unit parade.
However, a light breeze made it almost perfect parade-viewing weather. Like other parades, children, and occasionally an adult, scampered around and grabbed up the candy thrown from the parade units,
At least a baker's dozen of sharp-looking classic cars joined in the parade.
The current grand marshal and past grand marshals also rode in the parade.
And, of course, it wouldn't be a parade without the Shriners' little cars, traveling in various formations, courtesy of the Mankato Shrine Club.
The truck advertising "CM Corn Stoves, the Cadillac of stoves" drew a lot of attention.
The music of the August Schell's Hobo Band, with a Narren contingent walking right behind the vehicle carrying the band, kept the parade crowd entertained.
Later, the Hobo Band performed on the celebration's last day in the tent in the park, along with Attitude and the New Ulm Concord Singers.
Even Mickey Mouse made a guest appearance on one of the floats.
The Pony Farm had a pair of Shetland ponies pulling its float.
And, talk about riding in style, there were a pair of those three-wheel motorcycles, you know where the guy is up front driving and the woman is in the back directing him.
What would a parade be without fire engines? Hanska must have had its entire fleet in the parade.
What's a parade without politicians?
There was a vehicle for State Sen. Dennis Frederickson, and another vehicle shared by 1st District Congressman Tim Walz and Al Franken, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator who is awaiting the outcome of a court case to determine if he will represent Minnesota in Congress.
Just so no one will forget it, Madelia had a float reminding people of the portrayal of the Younger Brothers capture that will be re-enacted Sept. 19.
With the parade finishing its course, attention swung over to the park where a tent was set up for musical entertainment. A number of tables were set up for the arts and crafts. You could play Bingo for two hours after the parade ended, and if all of that was not enough, there was one more performance in the evening of the 2009 Syttende Mai show, titled "Uff Da - Songs of the Silver Screen."
Ron Larsen can be reached at rlarsen@nujournal.com
