Hubbell House ribbon cutting Saturday in Mantorville

New ownership of the Hubbell House in Mantorville will be officially recognized this Saturday, June 25, with a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m.

In keeping with the spirit of Stagecoach Days that is also being held this weekend in Mantorville, the Powers family will travel to the Hubbell House by Stagecoach and arrive at 3 p.m., Terry Eckstein, president of the Mantorville Chamber of Commerce said. The Pappas family will be there to greet the members of the Powers family.

Prior to the ribbon cutting, messages will be delivered by Chuck Bradford, the mayor of Mantorville and by Jane Olive, president of the Mantorville Restoration Association.

After the ribbon is cut, the Pappas family will board the stagecoach and ride off into the west.

The ribbon cutting is but one of the many activities going on during Stagecoach Days.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday the Gold Star Memorial honoring families of those who lost their lives in the armed forces will be dedicated.

The memorial is black marble and stands about seven feet tall and is about 15 feet wide. The silhouette of a soldier cut out of the marble appears to be saluting the American flag in front of the Government Services Building. There are benches built into the monument for those visiting to rest and contemplate the touching tribute to the families of those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

It is the first Gold Star Memorial in Minnesota.

Stagecoach Days returns to Mantorville for the entire weekend.

A summer melodrama gets the weekend off to a dramatic start with “Somethings Afoul in Windy City (and it ain’t just a baseball!),” written by Victoria Carlson. As is customary at Opera House melodramas feel free to boo and hiss the villain and cheer for the hero.

Curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Also, on Friday night, the Danglers will be playing at 8 p.m. for a street dance at the Mantorville Saloon.

Saturday begins with an antique tractor pull at Riverside Park at 10 a.m.

For kids of all ages there will be a petting zoo starting at 11 a.m. on the corner of Clay and 5^th, a Maypole for dancing around, and rides on a miniature horse drawn carriage or a real stagecoach.

The Minnesota State Fiddler’s Association will be back beginning at 11 a.m. at the Opera House for a Fiddler Contest. Bows start flying at 11 a.m. and continue until about 4 p.m.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., after the conclusion of the Fiddler Contest, Hawk Horvath from After Hours Paranormal Investigations will be at the Opera House to share experiences recorded in Mantorville buildings over the years.

Another Stagecoach Days favorite is the Plein Aire art competition sponsored by the Mantorville Art Guild.

Plein Aire is painting outdoors as opposed to in a studio. The Stagecoach Days Plein Aire contest allows artists to paint or draw anywhere in Mantorville until dark. Any medium is allowed except photography.

Registration for the contest is at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mantorville Art Guild.

Artists should return their artwork to the guild by 10 a.m. on Sunday for judging.

A Bean Bag Tourney will start at the Mantorville Saloon at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Registration is at noon.

The Danglers will be playing again on Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Mantorville Saloon.

Stagecoach Days ends Sunday with a reception and awards ceremony for the Plein Aire artists at 1 p.m. at the Mantorville Art Guild. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place.

Purse Bingo begins at 1 p.m. at the Mantorville Saloon and the weekend concludes with the Duck Raffle on the Zumbro River at 4 p.m.

Stagecoach Days is sponsored by the Mantorville Economic Development Authority.