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Sadly, Karl Oskar Days have come and gone. I hope you had a chance to take in some of the festivities offered. The numbers are still coming in, but by all accounts, it looks like it was a very successful Karl Oskar Days. It seems like having the fireworks on Friday was recieved warmly, instead of the usual Sunday night fireworks. I agree, it is hard if you have young ones to keep them up late and have to work in the morning.

Congratulations to Claire Bakken on winning the Karl Oskar Days Queen Coronation. She is accompanied by Katie Nelson, Alissa Behl, and Lindsay Peulen. We had some amazing girls this year and Claire was no exception.

I know people are looking for button winning numbers, but it usually takes a week for the committee to collect the unsold buttons and figure out what numbers to not pick. We will have the numbers in next week's edition.

The parade route went back to the old route and was well attended. It was nice to see some different floats other than politicians. I don't mind politicians being in parades, but with the elections last year, it seems last year's parades were 90 percent politicians.

Speaking of the parade, did you see Bachman's Photography in their red jeep? They were taking pictures of the crowd, kind of a reversal from the norm. You can view all of the crowd photos on their Facebook page. Just go to their website, bachmanspho tograpghy.com and click on the Facebook link. You might see yourself in the parade crowd.

A little side note, the committee would like you to know that next year's Karl Oskar Days will be on July 5-8. There will be some changes that the committee is very excited about.

Speaking of the committee, I would like to officially thank the Karl Oskar Days Committee for all of their hard work. These folks have worked tirelessly all year, just so you and I can have an enjoyable Karl Oskar Days. I know I have said it a million times, but we have the best group of volunteers in our area and should count our blessings for all they do for us.

If you were out of town last weekend, and you are jonesing for some more local entertainment, you don't have to drive far. That's right, there are two celebrations taking place this weekend. Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls are celebrating their annual Wannigan Days. Chisago County is hosting its annual County Fair in Rush City.

Wannigan Days begins on Thursday with the 12th annual talent show and a play at Festival Theatre.

Saturday both towns will feature sidewalk sales that will run all day. There will be a Kiddie Parade in Taylors Falls at 6:30. Bingo, a queen coronation, and a street dance are taking place on Friday.

Saturday has a pancake breakfast, 5K and 1K race, a car show, a bake sale, a medallion hunt and a kiddie pedal tractor pull. The ever popular tug-o-war between the two towns takes place at both Lions Parks at noon.

The 53rd annual Wannigan Days Parade begins at 6 p.m. and starts in St. Croix Falls and works its way across the bridge into Taylors Falls. At dusk there will be fireworks over the river.

The Chisago County Fair also runs July 14 through 17 this year. If you have never been to the fair, it is exactly how you remember fairs from your youth. There are tons of livestock, a midway with rides, talent shows, a mechanical bull, horse shows, a petting zoo, a parade, a motocross, a demolition derby and the fan favorite tractor pull. The fair begins Thursday at 8 a.m. and is located off Interstate 35 on the 4th Street exit just one block east.

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