Memorial dedication, Stagecoach Days on tap for June 24-26

It will be a busy weekend June 24 to 26 in Mantorville as the Gold Star Memorial honoring families of those who lost their lives in the armed forces will be dedicated as well as the annual Stagecoach Days event.
Less than a year after breaking ground, the first Gold Star Memorial in Minnesota has been erected on the grounds of the Dodge County Government Services Building in Mantorville.
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.
The Gold Star tradition started more than a century ago during World War I. At that time, families with members serving in the military displayed a blue star at their homes or businesses. If the family member serving died, the blue star was changed to gold.
The idea for Gold Star monuments came later as another way to honor Gold Star families.
Dodge County donated the ground where the monument stands.
The dedication of the memorial is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, June 25, at 721 Main St., Mantorville.
Stagecoach Days returns to Mantorville for the entire weekend with a variety of activities scheduled.
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.
Saturday is the big day for Stagecoach Days beginning with an antique tractor pull at Riverside Park at 10 a.m.
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. Anyone wishing to register should contact the Association at www.fiddlemn.com.
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. 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.
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.
For kids of all ages there will be a petting zoo starting at 11 a.m. on the corner of Clay and 5th, a Maypole for dancing around, and a ride on a mini-horse drawn carriage or a real stagecoach.
The Danglers will be playing again on Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Mantorville Saloon.
The weekend will end 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.