Family and friends gather in Burr Oak Burr Oak celebrates 150 years along the White Rock

Saturday events of Burr Oak's 150th Celebration kicked off with the Emory Clemons Unit 263 American Legion Junior Auxiliary serving free pastries in the Veteran Park.

It was estimated more than 2,200 people were present to enjoy Saturday's events. Forty-nine cars and 36 motorcycles were lined up in the shaded grounds of the museum and library for viewing. Marty Tietjen, Superior, won the car show's "Best of Show" award. Antique tractors were also on display on the southwest corner of the grounds.

Tours of the Burr Oak Museum included four rooms in the historical limestone schoolhouse. One featured a room filled with Burr Oak High School items, awards and photos. The second room is filled with White Rock High School items and awards, plus a military display, and the third room is filled with items and photos from the area churches and past Burr Oak businesses, organizations and clubs. In the second floor of the museum, a room contains historical agricultural items on display. Two hundred visitors signed the museum's guest book, with several others believed to attend that did not sign in.

The Burr Oak Community Library was open for visitors in the morning, and the United Methodist Church which was built in 1912. The church features large stained glass windows. Three Cook sisters who grew up near Burr Oak, were thrilled to get to visit this church where they went as children. They sat in the pews where they remembered being stationed on Sunday mornings.

Lunch booths were located on the main street and on the car show grounds. A scavenger hunt was conducted, as well as children's games. Face painting and laser tag drew a large number of participants.

Temperatures inched up into the high 80s as the parade began down the main street, and the number of entries well exceeded its goal of 130. Manda Wanner, Smith Center, started the parade by singing the National Anthem. Parade announcer was Kenny Rhea, Mankato. Leading the parade were members of the American Legion, Unit 263, Emory Clemons, Burr Oak, followed by the parade grand marshals, Cliff and Glenny Barnes. Class floats with Burr Oak High School class members aboard represented their reunions during the celebration. Numerous antique cars, cars and motorcycles from the show, tractors, pickups, and several floats including an unusual "moose float" created by Adam Harris who has a taxidermy shop in Burr Oak were in the parade. Floats were brought in from neighboring towns including one from a cafe in Mankato, and another from a bank in Superior. The winner in a parade entry contest drawing for a grill was Larry Havens, Burr Oak. After the parade, 40 attended the Tour of the Tombstones, held at the Burr Oak Cemetery, with Gloria Garman-Schlaefli as the guide.

The evening was topped with the Burr Oak Celebration committee, along with local businesses and community supporters, providing a pulled-pork supper served in the firehouse. At least 706 people were served. Music was provided during the supper by Kenny Rhea, and later "Kill Creek Rising" shared their music at the Faidley Park. A grain bin was earlier brought into the park and was transformed into the beer garden headquarters.

Sunday morning several people were on the main street of town to view the NCRA cars as they drove through. At 11, the Burr Oak Community Center was filled with many coming to attend the annual community church service, sponsored by the Burr Oak Ministerial Alliance. A sister and brother duo," Simply Faith," Sheryl Meier and Chris Martin, of near Enid, Okla., shared hymns and contemporary gospel music along with a message. A potluck dinner was served after the service. Fellowship time followed, concluding the 150th Burr Oak Celebration.

Winners of the car show follow: Best Classic Car-Mahlon McDill; Best Custom Car-Marty Tietjen; Best Motorcycle-Keith Barry; Special Car Builder Award-Kelly McNichols; Special Drag Car-Mitch Cosand; Best Pick Up-Darrel Bohnert; Best Hot Rod-Troy Hayes; Best Antique Car-Marvin McDill; Best Paint-Keith Roe; Best Interior-Milan Ray; and Best Engine-Marty Tietjen .