Tradition resumes this weekend as the Hardwick Community Club organizes activities for the Jubilee Days town celebration.
The Saturday night parade for the annual event the last weekend in June highlights a long list of activities that begin Saturday afternoon and culminate with a community church service Sunday morning
Longtime Hardwick residents Don and Nancy Patton are this year’s parade marshals.
Community club members accept suggestions for a Hardwick resident or couple who put Hardwick’s interests first to be honored at the Saturday night parade. The Pattons rose to the top of the list.
“They are just good people — nice community-minded people,” said Tammy Johnson.
While the Pattons’ history in Hardwick begins when they married in 1985, each had connections in the community of 180 residents long before they met.
Nancy, a graduate of Luverne High School, began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1964 and later served as the Hardwick postmaster for 33 years.
She retired in 2002, and the couple still lives in the apartment above the post office on Main Street.
“We’ve liked this town,” she said. “It’s always been a good town to live in.”
As a youth Don frequently spent time in Hardwick visiting his grandparents from his hometown of Rock Rapids, Iowa.
His grandpa, Ben Lewis, was also the city policeman and city maintenance worker.
Don served on the Hardwick City Council for 10 years. During that time, he filled in for the maintenance worker for 18 months while the man recovered from an illness.
At times he is still asked questions about the town’s infrastructure.
Don, an Air Force veteran, was owner of “One Man Construction” when he met Nancy at the Rainbow Bar in Sioux Falls.
He estimated he retired about 2005 but still tinkers in his workshop — the former meat market across the street from their home.
The couple is known as the cat rescuers of Hardwick.
“If they (cats) come here, they know they will be fed,” Nancy said.
“And fixed,” added Don.
Whenever possible, the neutered cats (who are friendly) are placed with other families. Otherwise they have a home in Don’s former workshop located in the back of the couple’s home.
The Jubilee Days parade begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. No pre-registration is required. Participants are asked to line up on the west end of Main Street.
Events begin at 2 p.m. with the Cruise-In on Main Street along with the bean bag tournament and community barbecue meal. The cruise-in and tournament end at 4 p.m. but the community meal continues until 10 p.m.
At 5 p.m. the Music on Main event begins featuring Ron and Jane Cote of Luverne, and free inflatables are available for the kids.
After the parade, the pedal pull for children ages 4 to 11 begins along with the guys and gals bale toss.
Live music closes out the Saturday events with music provided by “Almost Iowa” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday’s outdoor community worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church parking lot.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. In case of rain, the service will take place inside the church.