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71 Years of Community gathering at Godahl Days

By Dylan Jackson 3 min read

GODAHL – People of Godahl and the surrounding areas came together on Labor Day for the 71st Godahl Days. 

Beginning as an end of summer celebration for farmers before getting busy with field work, Godahl Days expanded to feature fun that draws people from all over Southwest Minnesota. 

One of the new additions was a kids pedal pull that kicked off the celebration. The event simulates a regular tractor pull but uses pedal tractors and a sled.

"They get put into age ranges and pedal against each other to see who is the strongest by who can pull the sled farthest," Godahl Recreation Board Treasurer Scott Runge said. 

The Godahl Recreation Board which helps organize the event. 

In addition to the organizing that the board does, sponsors from all over help by funding the event. 

"We go to a lot of businesses from Sleepy Eye, Hanska, St. James, Madelia," Runge said, "there are so many different people that support us."

Fundraising that comes out of Godahl Days allows the Godahl Recreation Center to continue providing a space for people to play sports, attend family gatherings, or hold their wedding. 

For the unincorporated town, sports are a major draw. 

"We have four or five girls teams for softball and four to five for baseball that play all summer long," Runge said. 

Sandy Husby from St. James attended Monday's event with her daughter Bailey who plays Godahl softball. 

Godahl Days has been a lifelong tradition for Husby, who has attended almost every year since she was a kid. 

"It's a hidden gem, lots of activities and stuff for kids to do," Husby said. 

Her favorite part is getting to see her children experience the activities that she enjoyed as a kid, particularly the parade. 

Starting at 12:30pm, Godahl's parade went along its two block route. 

"I always kind of laugh and say we've got the largest, littlest parade you've ever seen," Runge said. 

About 75 different vehicles were at the ready in the grass to participate. Classic cars, surrounding town emergency vehicles, and the St. James’ school marching band made their way through the town passing out candy. 

Candidates for the queen of Godahl had floats, and following the parade went on stage for the coronation. 

Community participation is required to be a candidate for the queen of Godahl. 

"They have to have helped out with Godahl Days three of the last five years and just been a part of the community, whether it be on the softball team or just helping out in other ways," Runge said. 

This year had two candidates, Katelyn Runge and Addison Wilson, both having played Godahl softball. 

Cora Dagel, last year's queen of Godahl, kicked the coronation off, sharing memories regarding Godahl, which included their softball team going undefeated.

Next, candidate Katelyn Runge spoke. She praised the softball team and community as a whole, "My favorite part of Godahl is making connections with the [softball] girls... [and] getting to play bingo and never winning. Some of my best memories I have as a kid are here."

Candidate Addison Wilson said that the previous two put it into words perfectly. 

After both candidates introduced themselves, Dagel hovered the crown over each of their heads, allowing the crowd to cheer for the queen they wanted. 

Addison Wilson was crowned queen for the 71st Godahl Days. 

The event continued into the evening with live music and community gathering.

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