From the early morning T-ball match and activities in Allison Park to the water ski show and parade in the afternoon, Sleepy Eye experienced exceptional weather.

The high temperature on Saturday was 79 degrees with a slight breeze. This was a major turnaround from last year’s Summerfest that saw temperatures in the 90 degree range. During the 2023 grand parade, Sleepy Eye Fire Department sprayed attendees with blasts of water to keep them cool. This year the fire department only needed to throw candy during the parade.

“The weather cooperated with us this year,” Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce Director Christina Andres said. “Seventy-six in August is perfect.”

Anders said this year’s Summerfest had a few changes from last year. Friday night saw an additional band play downtown, which was well received.

Miss Sleepy Eye, Emily Ericksen drives the final vehicle of the Summerfest Parade with princesses Alexa Pelzel and Adelide Hoffmann riding from the back. Sleepy Eye royalty thanked all attendees for attending Summerfest 2024.

Saturday morning a special T-ball game was held for the younger kids. Anders said though the game was for little kids, they were allowed to play the main ball field, which was a treat for the little kids. Anders said the T-ball game was well received and could be expanded to more kids next year.

Allison Park was again host to Pork and Pints in the Park. The park was filled with food stands, food trucks and other vendor stations as well as activities for kids and adults.

The event was sponsored by Christensen Farms and Schwartz Farms and featured a pig theme to the festivities. A miniature petting zoo setup featured 21-day-old Durock pigs. Kids were able to pet and hold the little pigs.

On the opposite side of the park, kids had the option of riding a mechanical hog. Kids were able to try their best to ride the mechanical hog for 30 seconds. Many of them struggled with it, but had fun trying.

Eight-year-old Will Petersen managed to ride the mechanical hog for 18 seconds before falling off. His older brother 9-year-old Sammy Peterson managed 14 seconds. Both said it was really hard to ride and not without its risks. Sam hits his chin after falling off and Will landed on his knee. However, the Petersen boys were determined to improve their times next year.

Nine-year-old Sammy Petersen rides the mechanical hog during the Summerfest celebration in Allison Park. Petersen managed to ride the mechanical beast for 14 seconds before falling off. He is determined to improve his time next year.

The U.S. Ax had a mobile unit in the park. Kids and adults were able to practice their accuracy with throwing axes. A contingency of royalty even took part in the fun. Miss Sleepy Eye Emily Erickson and Sleepy Eye Princesses Alexa Pelzel and Addie Hoffman gave ax throwing a try.

Erickson was joined by Minneapolis Aquatennial Princess Jacquelyn Wibstad. Two young women took turns throwing axes one-handed. The princesses had to throw two-handed because the two-hand throw was too challenging while wearing a tiara. Erickson and Wibstad were both struggled at first, but Luke Skuzaz from U.S. Ax was able to coach them into hitting the target. Skuzaz said it was all about lining the ax up before the trow.

At 3 p.m. all attention turned to Sleepy Eye Lake for the Little Crow Ski Show. This was third year the nationally recognized water skiing team has visited Sleepy Eye for Summerfest. The Little Crow Ski Show is from New London, Minnesota. The group puts on a weekly show every Friday during the summer. The Sleepy Eye performance is usually one of the last shows of the year for the team.

Audiences were able to watch water ski team perform jumps, ballet line, barefoot skiing and human pyramids on Sleepy Eye Lake.

Members of the Little Crow Ski team come from all over the country, including local talent. New Ulm natives Ashley Schaefer and Joelle Haala both performed with the ski team. Schaefer has performed with the team for eight years and Haala seven years.

Schwartz Farms hands out candy to the crowd during the grand parade.

The two took part in several of the water skiing events and went through seven costume changes throughout the show. Schaefer and Haala both take part in swivel competition and other water acrobatic challenges.

Last year, Haala helped set a Guinness record for largest strap doubles line behind a single boat with 27 couples. They are hoping to set a new record again before the end of the year.

Asked what the greatest challenge is to water skiing, Schaefer said it was remember to wave to the audience.

Haala said the learning curve for the sport is difficult. There is a lot to learn in the first few years and the sport can be painful if a performer falls wrong.

Neither Schaefer nor Haala suffered any great falls during Saturday’s show, but they admitted the water was rough for skiing this year of Sleepy Eye Lake, but both were excited to bring their talents closer to home.

Irene Reyes of Schwartz Farms holds a 21-day-old Durock pig at the Pork booth in Allison Park

In the evening, Summerfest activities moved downtown. The Grand Parade was held in the evening starting on 1st Ave. South. Around 80 units were featured in the parade, up slightly from last year.

Saturday closed out with a performance from The Broken Oak downtown at the Sleepy Eye Brewery Company.

Summerfest serves as a reunion for many former Sleepy Eye residents. Anders said there were several class reunions held over the weekend, with classmates returning to town.

“That’s the best part of our community,” Anders said. “We show up for each other.”

Brown County locals Joelle Haala (left) and Ashley Schaefer (right) performed with the Little Crow Ski team on Sleepy Eye Lake Saturday. Haala and Schaefer have performed with the team in New London for years, but the Summerfest show is rare chance to show off their talents locally.

Members of the Little Crow Ski team perform twin summersaults off a ski jump on Sleepy Eye Lake