Another Kernel Days weekend is in the books
Published 10:31 am Monday, August 17, 2015
United South Central Superintendent Jerry Jensen was the first to volunteer for the Communities Fighting Student Hunger dunk tank on Friday. His own secretary, Deb Lackey, was just one of many to successfully dunk him. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
WELLS — Wells Kernel Days has come and gone once again.
Downtown hosted a few of the weekend’s events such as the Maple Valley Classic Car Show and the Wells Area Jaycees street dance, which featured the band Pop Rocks. The majority of the events, however, took place at Half Moon Park.
Entertainers like the Walking Eagles band and the Unlimited Possibilities Dance Studio dancers took to Bevcomm stage while the park’s volleyball pits and baseball diamond hosted tournaments throughout the day Saturday. Nine different inflatables were open from Friday evening to Saturday night as were Lions Bingo, various food stands and the beer garden.
Other activities were scattered throughout the weekend including a state-sanctioned kid power pedal tractor pull, a reptile and amphibian zoo show and speaker Al Batt, an author and nature enthusiast who pens two different weekly columns for the Tribune.
While the turnout wasn’t quite as big as last time, Wells Kernel Days Committee member Ila Teskey said it was to be expected. Last year, the All School Reunion ran concurrently with the celebration, bringing in many more alumni back to the area to tour the old school building — which has since been demolished — and visit the new school.
Even after taking this into consideration, Teskey was very pleased with the number in attendance.
“I think it’s been good in spite of the heat,” she said.
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Four-year-old Iver Buer managed the feat of pedaling 19 feet, 8 inches during the Kids Power Pedal Tractor Pull on Saturday. His attempt won him second place in his division. Dozens of children were on hand to participate in the state-sanctioned event. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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United South Central Superintendent Jerry Jensen was the first to volunteer for the Communities Fighting Student Hunger dunk tank on Friday. His own secretary, Deb Lackey, was just one of many to successfully dunk him. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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While Kernel Days has offered inflatable units in previous years, this was the first year the zip line was available for the event. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Downtown Wells hosted the Maple Valley Classic Car Show on Saturday. Over 88 cars and five motorcycles lined Broadway during the event. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Cindy Prange served as this year’s Wells Kernel Days Parade Grand Marshal. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Newly-crowned Little Miss Kernel Paige Roberts was on hand to help at the Kid Power Pedal Tractor Pull on Saturday. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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A boy takes aim at one of the inflatable units at Half Moon Park during Kernel Days. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Alya Schott, 6, had her facepainted in the Wilder Events tent Saturday at Half Moon Park. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Caricatures were also available at the Wilder Events tent at Half Moon Park during Kernel Days. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Melissa Pastika from the Reptile Amphibian Discovery Zoo of Owatonna put on a show for kids at the park on Saturday morning. She brought with her a couple of snakes, lizards and a baby alligator. -Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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Volleyball tournaments began Friday evening and ran through Saturday at Half Moon Park during Kernel Days weekend. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune
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A softball tournament was also part of the events scheduled for Kernel Days on Saturday. Aaron Gilland of the Schlaak Motor Sports team from New Richland made it to second base after connecting with the ball on this swing. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune