This weekend’s annual Hardwick Jubilee Days honors the American Legion Centennial Celebration with Hardwick’s oldest living Legion member leading the parade.
World War II veteran Bill Holling celebrated his 96th birthday this year and has been a member of the Arthur Moeller Post 478 in Hardwick since 1956.
The parade begins at 7 p.m. Saturday on Main Street.
Being selected as the parade marshal is a first-time experience for the retired farmer.
“It’s OK, I guess,” he said this week. “There is always a first time.”
Each year members of the Hardwick Community Club organize activities and select a parade marshal.
As the American Legion celebrates 100 years of existence, club members wanted to select someone from the local Hardwick Legion Post 478.
Holling is the post’s oldest member.
“We want to thank him for his service,” said community club member Joan Kindt. “Veterans are very special to us.”
The American Legion was charted in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Holling joined the local Legion in 1956.
Holling was drafted into the Army in 1944 at the age of 21 and honorably discharged in 1946.
He and his late wife, Lois, farmed southeast of Hardwick before the couple retired in 1992.
Holling currently resides at Poplar Creek Estates in Luverne.
Hardwick Jubilee Days begins this Friday, June 28, and runs through Sunday.
Saturday is the busiest of the three celebration days.
“Almost everything is free,” Kindt said.
A co-ed team softball tournament takes place throughout the day.
A community meal at the Hardwick Fire Hall will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday along with inflatables from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Following the 7 p.m. parade are the children’s pedal pull and the hay bale toss activity.
A street dance begins at 9 p.m. to end Saturday’s activities.
An outdoor community worship services begins at 10 a.m. Sunday in the Zion Lutheran Church parking lot followed by a freewill offering lunch by the Zion youth group.
Kindt said the new owners of the Green Lantern in Hardwick, Steve and Linda DeSplinter, have planned several special events for the weekend.