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Wannigan Days has come and gone.  What a beautiful weekend for the celebration.  We were able to take in most of the celebration and there were people everywhere.  The parade was packed both with people watching and the number of floats.  It did take quite awhile for the parade to make it across the bridge because the parade started at 6pm in St. Croix Falls and we didn’t see our first float until well after 7pm.  Didn’t matter, it was beautiful out and we enjoyed some great food from the Lions and St Joe’s Catholic Church by the Drive-In.  

Thank you to all who worked their tails off to make this year’s Wannigan Days one of the best ever.  Lynn Longnecker and his group of volunteers outdid themselves this year and it showed.

This weekend we have a couple of big ticket events taking place.  The Chisago Lakes Triathlon is making its triumphant return after a year off with covid-19 shutting everything down last year.  The triathlon takes place this Sunday at 7am sharp.  The racers will swim 1.2 miles in Chisago Lake taking off and returningvia Paradise Park.  From there, they will transition to the bike portion which is an amazing 56 mile route that winds all across the county from North Branch all the way to Taylors Falls and back to Chisago City.  The racers transition again at Paradise Park while making their run down Old Towne Road to Chisago Blvd. to Olinda Trail and head back again.  The leaders will start crossing the finish line around 11 to 11:15 am.  If you would like to help, there are still plenty of volunteer spots that would welcome you in any capacity.  

Please call the Chamber at 651-257-1177 to volunteer.  If you live close to the course, by all means come out and cheer on the athletes.  

This is the first year we (my family) have not run a water station for the triathlon.  For years and years my wife and friends of ours would sit in the blistering heat prepping tables with endless cups of water and Gatorade only to see it disappear in seconds when the first wave of runners passed.  We will miss the long hot day, I know it sounds horrible but the runners were super appreciative and our group was thanked endlessly.  

Another cool event taking place this weekend is the Chisago County Fair in Rush City.  The fair prelims started Tuesday but the meat of the fair starts today, Thursday.  As always the fair is packed with 4Hers and tons of animal judging competitions.  There are motocross races this evening.  Gel plays on the main stage on Thursday night.

Friday besides the animal judging, there are carnival rides as well as some wonderful fair foods to try.  Friday evening is everyone’s favorite the demolition derby followed by the Stone Daisy Band.  

Saturday is the parade at 3pm and a set of demolition derby races.  Five Minute Major headlines on stage.

Sunday will host a pedal tractor pull, a talent contest and the Century Farm Awards as well as the Chisago County Senior Citizens Awards.  Rush City is just a short drive from here. Come on out and have some fun.  Gate entry is free.

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