Mayer celebrates 125 years in style
From a bank robbery shootout to a cowboy wedding, there is no doubt that Mayer had some fun with its 125-year celebration, which took place July 9 and 10, 2011.
A campfire show with the Old West Society was the feature of the celebration, taking place Saturday evening.
“The show was about an hour and a half, and it went over very well,” said Stan Heldt, coordinator of the event. “We had some music and cowboy entertainment.”
Many community members gathered at the Old Schoolhouse Park, located next to the Mayer Community Center on Bluejay Avenue, to listen to the history of Mayer.
“I think people really enjoyed hearing about their community,” said Luayn Murphy, city administrator. “The Old West Society flavor added a nice spin.”
The show began with a posting of the colors by American Legion Post 601 of Mayer and New Germany, followed by a recreation of Indian history.
“The Old West Society acted out the Indian history, beginning with the Sioux uprising in Litchfield and when it came down through Hutchinson,” Heldt said.
During the show, history was given about several local businesses, and there was music throughout the evening.
A cowboy wedding reenactment was performed by the Old West Society, along with local citizens.
“To finalize the show, there was a bank robbery,” Heldt said. “It made for lots of giggles and laughs and a good show.”
A tribute was made to several war veterans at the campfire show. Plaques were presented to Duane Schumacher, Richard Mielke, and Harold Latzig for their service.
Yet, the campfire show was only part of the fun during the celebration, as the weekend was jam-packed with events.
Activities for all ages took place Saturday with the Zion Fun in the Son Carnival, hosted by Zion Lutheran Church.
“The kids’ activities Saturday were well attended, and there was no charge for admission,” Heldt said. “The kiddie parade also went over pretty well, with about a dozen entries.”
Saturday afternoon was filled with countless activities, including a car show and swappers meet, Legion Club bingo, a bean bag tournament, and a kickball tournament.
“The car show was a success, especially because we had threatening rain that morning,” Heldt said. “Despite that, we still had a good turnout.”
The car show brought in 135 entries, with 119 cars, 10 motorcycles, and six trucks.
A unique touch to the car show was a DJ playing ‘50s and ‘60s music, Heldt said.
Mayer hosted its first-ever tractor show Sunday at the Old Schoolhouse Park.
“The tractor show went decent for the first time,” Heldt said. “It was neat to see the big ol’ tractors that they use out in the field up close.”
The tractor show had 27 participants and will be combined with the car show next year.
An outdoor worship service and chicken dinner took place at Zion Lutheran Church Sunday morning. The chicken dinner was nearly sold out, Heldt said.
Also on Sunday was a pedal tractor pull that had 48 participants, and more Old West Society events, including a mechanical bull.
All day Saturday and Sunday there were displays set up in the community center, which were provided by the Carver County Historical Society.
“The room was full of displays that told the history of Mayer,” Heldt said. “Individual businesses and organizations were welcome to bring displays.”
Live music took place Saturday night, with Fire and Spice at Finn’s Place, and Smok’n Guns at Heldt’s Bar.
To close out the festivities, a grand parade took place Sunday afternoon.
“The parade was a very quality parade with good music and many local businesses,” said Heldt, who coordinates the parade every year. “I was very proud of that one.”
There were between 90-95 units in the parade, and Koch Bus Company was there to help transport people.
Following the parade was live entertainment by the Highliners and the Singing Friends at the Old Schoolhouse Park. Heldt’s Bar also hosted Grayson after the parade.
When looking back on the celebration, coordinators are pleased with how it all turned out.
“There were many positive comments about the event and the variety of activities for everyone,” Murphy said. “Overall, I think that the event was very well received and attended by the community.”
This photo was taken many years ago, on the east side of Mayer, looking west.
