By James R. Johnson
news@tctribune.net
Where are the people?
The threat of COVID-19 had postponed SummerFest for six weeks. The corner of Third Avenue and Main Street in Mayville, often clustered with candy seekers, had but a few people awaiting the SummerFest Parade.
Maybe normal spectators were at the lake or cheering the Mayville Babe Ruth Baseball Patriots in Kindred, or maybe word got out that the summer supply of Tootsie Rolls and Starbursts would not be tossed.
Veronica, Evie and Matt Satrom didn’t seem to mind being somewhat isolated along the curb.
“Even if it’s a short parade, it’s kind of nice to see something that’s back to normal,” Matt said.
Normally, the sound of sirens from the Traill County Sheriff’s Department and Mayville Fire and Rescue can be heard down Main Avenue as the parade begins, but this year brought a silent start. The procession headed west after passing Luther Memorial Home, with the May-Port Color Guard marching the colors.
PHOTO BY JAMES R. JOHNSON. Keystone Konstables Roger Baier, Larry Hanson and Shane Orr bring the paddy wagon along.
Public servants seeking election in November marched in the motorcade, which lasted about 10 minutes. Members of the MayPort Community Club. Ashley Freehauf, MPCC president, said her feet were still a little sore Sunday.
“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves and didn’t seem to mind that SummerFest was scaled back this year,” Freehauf told the Tribune.
Ashley’s four-year-old son, Ryker, rode with his father inside a fire truck.
“He didn’t understand why we weren’t throwing any candy this year, but he had fun,” mom said.
Sisters Addie and Dani Cieplak just moved from Alaska to a farmstead north of Mayville a month ago. They’d been told of the volumes of candy tossed during the event, but had to settle for a gift pack courtesy of the MayPort Community Club. They still smiled widely at the chance to pet the horses at the end of the procession.
Spectators had plenty of time to shop inside Mae’s Vintage Decor, Aasen Drug, Miller’s Fresh Foods, the Farmers Market in Island Park, or stop at Subway for a sandwich before the tractor pull, where there were no concessions. There was always La Cantina afterward, which opened during the weekend.
“We had a better turnout at the tractor pull than we had in previous years,” Freehauf said. “Everyone was taking in the beautiful summer day. We were so lucky with the weather. We really appreciate everyone who came out.”