A Note from our Chairman...

Happy 100th Birthday Dilworth! And another milestone as it marks “Loco Daze” 25th year.

From our humble beginning as a small railroad station we have seen a lot of things change the last 100 years.  I wonder if the people who first settled here could have ever envisioned what our great city would be like in 100 years.  Well, this year’s Loco Daze Festival is going to have a lot to do with our past as we celebrate our centennial “Loco Daze” style.

Most of the previous year’s events are returning again this year.   Dilworth’s “Living Healthy Expo” on Tuesday from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at the Community Center is the first main event of the Loco Daze & Centennial Celebration, golf tournaments on Wednesday and Thursday, Youth Day and Bike Rodeo on Thursday.  The Youth Parade, Free Video Game Arcade and our Youth Dance Friday night have been great hits for several years. The Pedal Tractor Pull for our youth has grown into one of our highlights and “Games Galore” returns with their unbelievable inflatable games for Friday and Saturday.

The 2nd annual “Caboose on the Loose” 5k/10K walk/run will kick off Saturday’s activities.  Then our Loco Daze/Centennial parade rolls onto Highway 10 at 10:30 AM. Our local churches, service organizations as well as other venders will have a variety of foods available at the Community Center following the parade.  Saturday afternoon you can check out the Vintage Vehicles, kick back, listen to great music, and enjoy some good old family fun.  The “Penny and Pals” kids show begins at 12:30 PM under the Loco Daze big top tent.  “Tucker’d Out” will entertain us again from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.  The “Rock 102” Karaoke Contest is at 3:00 PM., and the “Little Red River Dixie Land Jazz Band” will entertain us from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Of course, the VFW will host bingo in the Community Center from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Dilworth’s own “Roosters” will be playing for our street dance on Saturday night.  The Loco Daze street dance is one of the largest in the area!  “The Roosters” energetic show is better than ever. It’s no wonder they’re still one of this region’s premiere acts.  Last year a packed house danced into the night.  It promises to be another awesome, fun filled show.  So put on your shoes and let’s get dancing!

2011 Miss DFG Cassondra Schultz and her court will be in attendance for our festival as well. Congratulations to all of the contestants for a job well done.

Oh, did I mention?  IT’S OUR CENTENNIAL!  And do we have events for that.  Starting with a Special Ribbon Cutting Tuesday at the Depot, “Dilworth Centennial Band” concert on Thursday, an All School Reunion and yes--you heard right--a Centennial fireworks display for the whole family on Friday night.  It’s the first time ever that Dilworth has had its own fireworks show and it will be something to talk about for years to come.

BNSF Railway will have a special railroad exhibit on display starting at Noon on Saturday afternoon at the BNSF Railway yard site.  The highlight will be the “Gritty Palace,” a restored luxury presidential car.  This will be an excellent opportunity to see both old and new railroad equipment.  There will be a free shuttle running from the Community Center to the exhibit.

This year, Sunday is specially planned to reflect our past and to celebrate our Centennial.  Start with a free will offering picnic at noon, “Stories of Dilworth” with an open microphone session, Great Plains Harmony’s “Hee Haw” Show followed by a special “Dakota Air the Radio Show” historical tribute to Dilworth, starring local historian Steve Stark.  It’s a rare opportunity to see what an old time radio show produced “live” is all about.  We will wrap up with ice cream and a community worship service.

I have covered just a few of our events so be sure to check the entire schedule to see all the great activities this year’s festival has to offer.

So how does this all come together?  First and foremost, the Loco Daze Planning Committee.  They continually bring forth and implement great ideas and are always looking for ways to make the Loco Daze Festival even better.  It’s a pleasure to work with such a fine and dedicated group of volunteers.  I would also like to thank the Centennial Planning Committee who also worked so hard coordinating events with us as well as planning the Centennial events. We started working on this festival over three years ago.  A special thanks to all of you and your sub-committees who made this festival possible.

Special “Thanks” to our friends from the BNSF Railway.  They have had such a historical and economic impact on Dilworth from the beginning.  Their generous contribution to underwrite many of our Centennial activities is so much appreciated.   

And thank you to our corporate and business sponsors.  Without your support and backing we would not be successful.  It takes a great deal of financial support to put on a festival and celebration of this caliber.  Even though our economy recovers slowly, you have given back to your community by supporting Loco Daze and our Centennial.  We also welcome our new sponsors this year.  We hope you will enjoy being a part of our annual celebration.  The City of Dilworth and the Loco Daze Planning Committee sincerely appreciate your support.  I encourage everyone to take a good look at the businesses listed in our program.  Please do business with them and thank them.  After all, it’s because of their generosity that we can continue to make the Loco Daze festival such a wonderful event.

Of course, words cannot express my gratitude to the outstanding staff at City Hall, the Maintenance Dept., the Police Dept, the Volunteer Fire Dept, the Swimming Pool, and of course, Mayor Olson and the Dilworth City Council.  WOW! Your hard work has helped make Loco Daze and our Centennial celebration a fun, safe, family event. Thank you!

I also want to thank the Dilworth Lions Club, the Loco Ladies Lions, The Dilworth Leo’s, the Boy Scouts, our city’s churches and the many other organizations that are involved with our celebration.  This festival simply would not and could not happen without all of you.

Heartfelt thanks to my family.  Being the chairman for an event like this for the last 13 years takes a great deal of time.  Thank you for letting me do what I so truly enjoy.  I could not do this without your patience, support and understanding.  My wife Michele, my children Nathan and Beth, my brother Dave, as well as my extended family and many friends, you are a true blessing in my life.  Also a special thanks to Kent, Jeremy, Jeff Gregiore and the staff at Bert’s Truck Equipment, Inc.

Finally, I want to say thanks to YOU for participating in Loco Daze and our Centennial.  After all, we do this for you, for your families, for your friends and for our community. On that note, when you see any of the Planning Committee members or any of the many volunteers that made this festival possible please say “thanks” to them… It is their only compensation for all their efforts and a job very well done.

Enjoy Loco Daze and our Centennial.  It is a great opportunity to show your friends what our city is all about.  For the last 100 years Dilworth has and will continue to be “The place to be.”  Invite them to spend some time here and, even more important, have fun at the Loco Daze and Centennial celebration.  That’s what it’s all about.  If you would like more information on the events or have questions on this year’s festival, please contact Dilworth City Hall at 218-287-2313 or visit our web page at www.locodaze.org or the City of Dilworth’s website at http://dilworthcitymn.com.  

Sincerely,

Jim McLaughlin

Loco Daze Chairman