The event is a tradition in Godahl, as hundreds come to a town with less than 50 people. This year Godahl Day benefitted from a much cooler day than last year, when unusually hot weather rolled through. Godahl Day Board Member Tim Flitter said he was thankful for the weather they received.

“This is probably one of the most beautiful days we’ve had for Godahl Day,” he said. “Started out a little bit chilly. It’s going to end up right about 75 degrees. If it’s too hot, people go home early. Today I think people are gonna stay till the end.”

The classics were there. A local talent showcase and the Nate Frederickson Band provided musical entertainment. Those looking to try their luck had bingo, a raffle, and Messy Bessy.

Messy Bessy is unique in this area. Tickets are sold with a number between 1-100 on them. A cow is put in a pen with these numbers placed on the pen floor, and whichever ticket holder shares the number the cow does its business on wins the grand prize. This year the prize was $500.

A St. James Fire Department entry driver hands candy to a gentleman with a bag.

A new activity was brought this year called Grain Bin Fishing. A grain bin was filled with hay, toys, and a Godahl Day volunteer. Kids received tickets to play during the parade, and after receiving a fishing pole they’d toss their bait to see if they could get a catch. When they did, their fishing pole would be tugged on and they’d reel in their prize.

Volunteer Michaela Ahrens said the idea came from Angie Rathman, who had seen the activity at a similar event.

“We thought it was a great idea and decided to go forward with it,” Ahrens said. “We had another committee member with a grain truck, so they fixed it up for us today.”

Also added was a kickball tournament, which saw four teams square off. The tournament took advantage of a new scoreboard, which had replaced the old one thanks to support received from last year’s Godahl Day.

Parade Committee Member Karla Beck said they had around 70 individual entries in the parade this year, which spanned two blocks. She said they received perfect weather this year, but construction provided a challenge for some.

Treasurer Scott Runge and Parade Committee Member Gwen Rossbach discuss parade float arrangements.

Highway four has been closed for about a month,” Beck said. “There are four ways to get to Godahl, north, south, east, and west. The only way to get there today is from the east and the north because Godahl is on a corner of highway four and there’s construction happening right on the corner.”

Parade Committee Member Gwen Rossbach said she is grateful for those who started the Godahl Day traditions she can bring forward now.

“For me, it’s the people that have set the tradition and were the forefronters of it,” she said. “You want to carry on something they worked so hard to build. That’s a motivator for everyone who’s here, nobody wants to see it end.”

The coronation of new Miss Godahl was held after the parade. Keeley Runge, who was Miss Godahl 2023, stood on stage and held her crown high above contestants Hannah Westman and Ava Rathman. After going back and forth, Rathman had the crown placed above her head.

Rathman said it all hadn’t sunk in for her yet, and she was excited to be Miss Godahl. She said she entered because she lives close to Godahl and felt she would be a good candidate to represent Godahl. Her favorite part of Godahl Day is seeing all the people and the parade.