The final event before the street dance Saturday, the hot dog eating contest didn’t disappoint. It was the main event.

Past Dayz of Thunder attendees were not surprised when Jason Handeland won the hot dog eating contest. After all, he won the 2023 Dayz of Thunder cookie-eating contest.

From the start, it appeared Handeland knew what he was doing, downing wieners separately from the buns, after sticking them in a cup of water.

He won after downing five hot dogs faster than any of his competitors. While no one was tracking the time, the feat was impressive as Handeland didn’t seem to slow down at all during the contest.

Parade entrants throw candy to kids and adults alike during the parade at Fairfax Dayz of Thunder Sunday.

Other competitors included Jared Borth, Erik Milhon, Happy Valley, Az. and Tom Bostick, Glendale, Az.

Alex Vos won the youth hot dog eating contest, downing two hot dogs and buns. Other youth contestants included Grace Rathmann, Kellen Nachreiner, and Kara Hanson.

Adult pedal pull winners were Mandy Krenz and Cole Ramsey. Youth pedal pull winners from ages 4 to 11 included Judson Schmidt, Emmie Hunts Along, Ava Krenz, James DeRock, Liv Prahl, Lily DeRock, Carson Wendinger and Dawson Firle.

A first-ever truck show held in front of the former middle school drew 15 contestants including Jayden Schulte of Wabasso, who drove a lime green 2007 Peterbilt 379 diesel truck to the show. The truck is owned by Marshall Meier of Vesta.

Schulte said he’s been driving trucks for six years. He earlier hauled refrigerated trailers coast to coast before hauling cattle to Omaha and Dakota City, Neb. and Green Bay, Wi.

Wriley Carrigan leans back on his Great Grandpa’s Hammer tractor as he looks to inch ahead as far as he can. He finished fourth in the 950 pound competition and third at 1,050 pounds.

He talked about why he enjoys trucking.

“Once it gets in your blood, it’s hard to stop. The pay is pretty good and there is plenty of work,” he added.

His favorite trucking destination is Green Bay.

“It’s a more scenic route than the other ones I follow,” Schulte said.

In addition, Green Bay trips allow him to visit a good friend he serves with in the Minnesota National Guard unit in Marshall. Schulte is in a field artillery unit with the National Guard.

Other truck show participants included Five Star Towing, LLC owner Eric Platz of Lafayette who won the special job truck class and a $100 prize.

Platz said he was busy Friday pulling four combines near Le Sueur. Platz said the farm implements were “very stuck in mud ruts that were several feet deep.”

Kyle Christensen of Sleepy Eye won the people’s choice award and $200. Ken Griebel of New Ulm won the farm truck class and a $100 prize.

Sunday the rain stayed away, and that meant plenty of candy for kids and recognition for local businesses and area town queens at the parade.

Dayz of Thunder Committee President Dan Merkel has held the position for the last decade, but this is the first year he has led the parade organizing. He said it was an interesting experience that reconnected him with several people.

“You get to talk to a lot of people that you haven’t heard from a long time,” Merkel said. “I called with the telephone and I feel like that’s the best way is to be personal.”

This year there were 67 floats in the parade, covering different businesses, fairs, occupations, and royalty. Merkel said the hardest part is setting the right time. Do it too early, and fewer people will get up early enough to show up. Too late, and fewer people will stick around waiting.

With his experience on the committee, Merkel said planning the parade was not too overwhelming and he wishes to continue heading it up looking forward.

The Minn-E-Rods Tractor Pulling Club brought their collection of specially designed vehicles and tractors to cap off the Dayz of Thunder festivities. It was scheduled to be the first dirt event on the club’s schedule but was moved onto the pavement due to the rain and ground saturation.

Noah Roling won the 1,900-pound Open V-8 class event by pulling the weight 378.5 feet with his vehicle named Ryan’s Ride, one foot further than Wayne Carrigan’s Thunderstruck.

Roling, from Buffalo Lake, said pulling is a family tradition. His grandpa got into it in honor of his nephew after they passed away. Roling said he took over after his grandpa said he was too old to keep competing.

To win Sunday, Roling said he was thankful to have his grandpa with him.

“I enjoy having the team aspect,” he said. “My grandpa’s here. He helps me with suggestions on setup. We run Chevy’s. That’s what I’ve grown up with and he grew up with.”

Roling said his consistency and confidence in his machine helped propel him further than anyone else in his class. To continuously be competitive, he said it takes a lot of work and observation.

“It’s a constant battle of maintenance,” he said. “You’re always hoping you don’t break anything. You [have] tire management. I’d rather replace something before it breaks than when it breaks, so it’s routine scheduled maintenance.”

Ensuring your vehicle fits the guidelines is key as well. Two of the eight competitors in Roling’s bracket were disqualified due to not meeting technical specifications.

Competing in Fairfax was special to Roling as he grew up around the area. To grab the win in front of his family made it that much sweeter.

“It’s my first win this year,” Roling said. “It means we’re doing something right. I grew up around here, it’s close to home. The fact a lot of my family came to watch is really fun and makes it all the more special.”

For the full results, visit http://mnminnerods.com/results/?id=278