By Elaine Rassel
The time had come to judge beards and to choose a King and Queen for the 150th celebration of Marcus. These festivities took place on Wednesday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hall of Progress with Renea Ogren as MC.
The Hall of Progress was “packed” with people waiting to hear the results of the events planned at this time. Father Murray opened the event with prayer. Mayor Hansen followed with his Proclamation for this Sesquicentennial celebration. The Community Choir directed by Dan Barkel, sang “The Star Spangled Banner”. Then it was time for the beard judging.
The men who had grown all kinds of beards were waiting to see if it really was worth the time they took to have beards in one of our hottest summers! There were so many men that were judged that I didn’t get all their names. I called Stephanie S. the next morning to have her e-mail the beard results to the newspaper. I didn’t want to forget anyone.
(I am waiting for the results of the Beard Contest. Results will be printed when I receive them.)
The Charades were back with Mike Hoover, Chuck Nielsen on drums, and Andy Juhl on guitar. The crowd really liked this group and their music from the past 25 years. Renea went out in the crowd and found some men to dance with as the Charades played.
Andy Juhl and John Juhl favored us with just the two of them playing.
Time was nearing when the King and Queen would be chosen.
I had taken a picture of the five ladies and five men that we cast ballots to see who was going to be King and Queen of this celebration. Bonnie Means was dressed as a lady would have been dressed 150 years ago. Other lady candidates were Julie Sand, Sharon Rupp, Bonnie Collins, and Vickie Rainboth. Candidates for King were Ray Drefke, Abe Smith, Jim Hoefling, Ric Collins, and Clark Rainboth.
It was time to see who the King and Queen would be. Jim Hoefling was chosen as King and Julie Sand as Queen. For those who did not get to be King or Queen, you are winners even if you didn’t get to wear the crown. You were chosen to be one of the five and that is an honor by itself. Did you ever think you would be a King or Queen candidate?!
The Community Choir sang, “America” and concluded with “Mine Eyes Have Seen”. (I didn’t get a picture of the King and Queen when they were crowned but I found them afterwards just as people were leaving.)