Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Lonesome Ron paid a visit to the Harkin Store Sunday afternoon.

NEW ULM — Lonesome Ron paid a visit to the Harkin Store Sunday afternoon to share stories, cowboy ballads and even yodel.

Lonesome Ron, also known as Ron Affolter, visits the Harkin Store each Labor Day and continues to be a big draw.

Site Manager Ruth Grewe said the musical programing is always popular, but this year tourist traffic was even higher than normal.

On Saturday the Harkin Store received 155 visitors. Grewe said her voice nearly gave out telling so many about the history of the old general store.

Since it is Labor Day many families are taking day trips to visit the store before school starts.

Glenn Stryker counts the visitors to the store each Sunday. He keeps track of how far visitors are traveling. This year the Harkin Store received visitors from 41 different states.

“This was the first year we’ve got someone from Hawaii,” he said.

They also received visitors from 11 different countries. Stryker said they always anticipate visitors from Canada because they are just across the border from Minnesota. People from Germany always pass through New Ulm. The real surprise this year were the visits from China and Singapore.

For those who have not been out to the Harkin Store this season, there is still time. Grewe said the Harkin Store will remain open to visitors through October. The last Harkin Store program of the year will be a music round-up on Sunday, Oct. 22. This musical event will also feature the musical stylings of Lonesome Ron for those who missed his most recent visit.

Next Sunday the Harkin Store will host Grandparents’ Day. It includes old-time games like dominoes, pick up sticks, graces, hoops and craft projects.