Pine River Summerfest a blast

Randy Olson, Cindy and Tim Roggenkamp make up the Tim and Cindy Trio. They performed at the dam during the 2014 Summerfest. Photo by Travis Grimler

By Travis G. Grimler

July 02, 2014 at 2:00 PM

Pine River Summerfest celebrated the city's plaid theme in style last weekend.

This year's festival featured the usual parade, Prairie Fire Children's Theatre and 5K fun run, among other activities, though high water levels in the Pine River resulted in another cancellation for the Pine River Duck Races.

This year's children's play featured a family friendly performance of the classic "Jack and the Beanstalk" with Peter Biros playing the title character Jack and Prairie Fire staff Brianna Bernard and Alex Watson as directors and actors.

Two runners dominated the 5K fun run: Andrea Nelson who finished first with a time of 19:10 and Lenny Deshayes who was a close second with 19:18. The third runner to cross the line came in at 29:11.

Following are Summerfest Parade winners:

Best Color Guard: Jenkins VFW

Best Commercial Unit: Pine River Family Market

Best Organizational Unit: Pine River-Backus Schools

Best Chamber Unit: Aitkin Chamber of Commerce

Miss Pine River's Choice: Pine River State Bank

Most Comical: First National Bank of Walker with Paul Bunyan riding

Mayor's Choice: Aaron Fenstermaker Race Cars

Best Horse Group: Cass County 4-H & Cass County Fair Board

Judge's Choice: Backus Lions Club and Ole & Lena's Sweet Revenge

Organizers hope to run the season's first Duck Races this week, though not on the usual Friday, which is July 4. Instead, Duck Races are planned at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at the Pine River dam, if water levels cooperate.

1/4: The Pine River Family Market float won Best Commercial Unit in the Pine River Summerfest Parade on Saturday, June 28.Photo by Nancy Vogt

Pine River State Bank tractor show winners were, from left, Kirsten Demars, bank president, shown with Dennis Mills, first, 1958 John Deere; and Jerry Campbell, second, 1942 Allis Chalmers B. Not pictured is Trevor Walters, third, 1938 F20 Farmall.Submitted Photo

2/4: Pine River State Bank tractor show winners were, from left, Kirsten Demars, bank president, shown with Dennis Mills, first, 1958 John Deere; and Jerry Campbell, second, 1942 Allis Chalmers B. Not pictured is Trevor Walters, third, 1938 F20 Farmall.Submitted Photo

Local artist Eloise Ryan, right, explains aspects of her artwork to Mary Mussman, left, from Maryland, and Marjore Gardner of Pine River at last week's Pine River Art Club Show at The Warehouse.Photo by Sarah Rudlang

3/4: Local artist Eloise Ryan, right, explains aspects of her artwork to Mary Mussman, left, from Maryland, and Marjore Gardner of Pine River at last week's Pine River Art Club Show at The Warehouse.Photo by Sarah Rudlang

Pine River State Bank's annual Car and Tractor Show on Saturday, June 28, attracted 11 cars and five tractors. Car show winners were, from left, Mark Hoffman, third, 1970 Buick GS455; Rick Adams, second, 2009 Chevrolet Corvette; Nick Pond, second, 1964 Chevrolet Impala; and Kent and Laurie Brothen, first, 1955 Mercury Montclair Cont. Submitted Photo

4/4: Pine River State Bank's annual Car and Tractor Show on Saturday, June 28, attracted 11 cars and five tractors. Car show winners were, from left, Mark Hoffman, third, 1970 Buick GS455; Rick Adams, second, 2009 Chevrolet Corvette; Nick Pond, second, 1964 Chevrolet Impala; and Kent and Laurie Brothen, first, 1955 Mercury Montclair Cont. Submitted Photo

By Travis G. Grimler

Travis Grimler began work at the Echo Journal Jan. 2 of 2013 while the publication was still split in two as the Pine River Journal and Lake Country Echo. He is a full time reporter/photographer/videographer for the paper and operates primarily out of the northern stretch of the coverage area (Hackensack to Jenkins).

Pine River Summerfest a blast

Pine River Summerfest celebrated the city's plaid theme in style last weekend. This year's festival featured the usual parade, Prairie Fire Children's Theatre and 5K fun run, among other activities, though high water levels in the Pine River resu...