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PEQUOT LAKES — The 84th annual Bean Hole Days on Wednesday, July 13, was another success, bringing current and former locals and out-of-towners into Pequot Lakes’ Trailside Park to enjoy beans, craft booths, games and Chris Olson as Elvis.
While there were inflatables, Water Wars, a craft fair and food vendors filling the park early in the morning, Bean Hole Days doesn’t truly begin until the King and Queen Bean are crowned.
“It’s with great reluctance that I give up my staff and crown and now I’m only a ‘has bean,’” said Eric Klang, Pequot Lakes police chief and 2021 King Bean.
Klang and 2021 Queen Bean Kim Ziesemer crowned Tim Leagjeld and Tammy Bargy as the new King and Queen Bean.
Leagjeld is a Pequot Lakes reserve police officer and has been involved in Brainerd lakes area theater for many years. Bargy is a longtime Bean Hole Days volunteer and works for Hunt Utilities Group and Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River.
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“What I like about (Bean Hole Days) is I get to see people I probably haven’t seen for a while,” Bargy said. “Being I grew up in the area, that’s also very nice. There’s others that come home for the events.”
Dave Miskowiec, Maplewood, grew up in the area and remembers attending Bean Hole Days when he was younger, though he says the event has expanded a lot since then.
“We brought the kids here last night to see the burying of the pots because when are you ever going to get this opportunity again?” Miskowiec said. “I don’t know any place else that does this.”
His wife, Lynn, had never attended Bean Hole Days.
“I love it,” she said. “I grew up in small towns also. It’s just one of those intimate small town things that even if you’re not from here you feel welcome and a part of it.”
Jean Ford, who was attending her 42nd Bean Hole Days, agreed with Lynn’s sentiment.
“I love the people. I love events,” Ford said. “It’s just a friendly little town.”
Megan Buffington, Echo Journal intern, may be reached at 218-855-5854 or megan.buffington@pineandlakes.com . She is a 2021 Pequot Lakes High School graduate who attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
