Enterprise Dispatch Blog

COKATO, MN – The Cokato Corn Carnival is gearing up again this year, set for Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 10-12.  The following is a bit of reminiscing from the Cokato Museum, supplied by Museum Director Mike Worcester about the famous bed races.

“From 1979 through 1982, bed races were held as part of the carnival’s festivities.  Organized by the Cokato Jacyees, these races made Cokato one of a growing number of communities that took on this fad. 

The “track” began at Broadway Ave., and Third Street, going south to Fourth Street, then back to Third Street — a total of two blocks.

Each year was a struggle to get entrants, and by 1983, interested had waned to the point where the pushing of beds was replaced by the pulling of tractors, along with kids cycle races.  Despite its short tenure with the carnival, those bed races are still talked about with great ferve and adminiration, 30 years after the first race.

Shown (top) are “The Mean Green Machine,” entry to the 1979 races, sponsored by C&H Ag Services and Schwartz Mfg.  Also shown are entrants at one of the race heats, ready at the corner of Broadway and Third (date unknown).

There’s plenty of other activities planned for the carnival, which is set for Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 10-12.  There are no less than nine candidates for Cokato royalty this year.

60th Annual Carnival Commemorative Cans are now on sale. Limited edition cans, only $2/ea. Available at Broadway Hair Fashions, Cokato City Hall, Cokato Museum, Dahlin’s Home & Farm, First National Bank of Cokato, Marketplace, and State Bank of Cokato. Only 500 made–get yours while they last.

The carnival committee is pleased to announce that The Haining Family will provide entertainment on stage following Monday’s parade, and that Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree will entertain the children (and parents too) on Wednesday afternooon before the Children’s Prize Drawing. For a complete list of carnival entertainment, check out the official Carnival Schedule.

There are nine candiadates for Miss Cokato this year.  Names and pictures can be found at the Royalty Page.

The car drawing this year will be for a 2009 Ford Fusion. It is available for viewing at Holt Motors in Cokato. Tickets are $100/ea. Call Cokato Transportation, 320-286-5315, for information.

Home Stretch workshop for prospective home buyers offered
Home Stretch, which teaches the basics of home purchasing, is taught by local lenders, Realtors, and other housing professionals.
Workshop participants will analyze their housing needs to help them determine how to buy a home, obtain a mortgage loan, and foreclosure prevention, learn budgeting and saving for home ownership and basics of home maintenance.
In addition, they will learn how to work with a Realtor, a home inspector, a lender, and other housing professionals.
The Home Stretch Workshop will be  Monday, Aug. 3 and Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 1  to 5 p.m.  at the Hutchinson City Center, 111 Hassan St. (south of Econo Foods and east Main St., where the DMV and licensing are) in Hutchinson. Fee for the workshop is $35 per household.
Home Stretch Spanish Workshop will be Tuesday, Aug. 11th and Thursday, August 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Heartland Community Action Agency office, 200 SW 4th St.  (kitty corner from the Kandiyohi County office building) in Willmar.  Fee for the workshop is $35 per household.
You must call to register at 1-800-992-1710 or (320) 235-0850, Extension 1160 before the class dates. You will receive confirmation about one week before the class.
The mission of Heartland CAA is to eliminate poverty and advocate for low-income families. Special accommodations will be made per request by calling the above listed numbers three days in advance.