Despite damp, cool and misty weather, the Uffda Day parade began at noon sharp with two of Rutland’s most senior citizens, Hazel Preble and Edith Pherson, sharing the honor as Grand Marshalls of the Uffda Day Parade. They were chauffeured in a 1958 Ford retractable hardtop convertible owned and driven by Roger White of Stirum. One of the units that added some zip to the event was the volunteer band composted of 33 members of the Sargent Central Cadets Band led by Kaia Thorfinnson. The “Mad Hatters” precision shopping cart drill team sponsored by the Rutland General Store and the Troll Patrol, kept the crowd laughing.

This year there were several new musical attractions in town, including the Sweet Adeline barbershop quartet, and other performers at the Hall and Senior Center. Classic cars were on display along with restored tractors and machinery.

The Lefse Lenas prepared approximately 4,500 lefse the dinner and to be sold with every single one gone within the hour. Food booths sold Uffda tacos, cotton candy, homemade ice cream, brats, and more. It was another fun day of food, music and reunions of friends a family.

Another record-breaking crowd attended the 21st Uffda Day on Sunday, October 2, lining the streets for the noon parade. Seventy-one units took 35 minutes to pass through town as Dollar Bill Smith announced them and Terry Loomis broadcast the coverage on KQLX radio of Lisbon. By day’s end all the lefse, fattigman, krumkake, rosettes and more than 4,400 lefse that had been prepared and packaged last month, as well as several hundred more made fresh on Uffda Day were gone.

The car show, tractor exhibition, Pioneer House, Depot Museum, Country School, quilt show, pioneer crafts and demonstrations all enjoyed near record attendance. It was another great day and another successful community event sponsored by the Rutland Community Club.

An estimated crowd of more than 3,000 was on hand to view more than 100 units in the parade that started promptly at noon, lead by the Color Guard from Rutland’s Bergman-Evenson Post 215 of the American Legion. Twenty-nine of the 39 young ladies who reigned as “Miss Rutland” from 1960 to 2004 received accolades from the crowd as they wound through the streets of their home town. Borghild Lee, Rutland’s oldest citizen at ag 90, was also a parade participant. Color Guards from the Forman American Legion and VFW Posts and the Lidgerwood American Legion also participated in the parade. Other parade entries were the Wild Rice Antique Tractor & Plowing Association, the Shuman Township Drill Team, classic automobiles, political candidates and many businesses and civic organizations. Dollar Bill Smith announced the parade units to the crow and Terry Loomis of KQLX radio, Lisbon, described the parade to the radio audience.

The arts and craft vendors reported a big day and all 5,130 lefse that had been made in preparation for the day were gone by mid-afternoon. Diners at the Hall consumed more than 20 roasters of scalloped potatoes. Several groups provided entertainment at the Senior Center and Town Hall while the Ole Olson trio from Veblen, SD, performed outside across from the Hall. The NoSwedDane folk dancing group from Fargo performed traditional Scandinavian folk dances in the Hall during the afternoon. A large contingent of youngsters participated in the nickel scramble and enjoyed the antics of Wolfie the clown while their folks toured town in a horse-drawn wagon. The co-chairpersons, Dan Anderson, Pam Murack, and Diane Pherson, reported the day was another resounding success.

Uffda Day 2000 was another resounding success, according to co-chairpersons Lori McLaen, Hal Nelson , and Kris Nerison. The large crowd in town was undeterred by the overcast skies and a light rain shower that afternoon. Much of the success was due to the preparation by a diversity of workers from age 8 to 89. In preparation for the event, 4,515 pieces of lefse had been rolled – the most to date – with help from the Rutland High School alumni, over a period of four weeks.

A new attraction this year was the schoolhouse that was moved into Rutland earlier in 2000. Built in 1895, the building was used as a school in Taylor Township of Sargent County until 1955, when it was moved to Cayuga, where it served many years as the American Legion Hall. Bill Anderson purchased the building at an action in 1999 and donated it to the City. Ron Narum and his wife, Doris Ann, worked on furnishing and fixing up the building ever since.

This year, 20 roasters of scalloped potatoes and ham were served at the Hall. While eating, the crowd was entertained by piano and organ music on the City Hall stage and later by an accordion and guitars. Those not in the mood for a smorgasbord, could fine bratwurst at the old fire hall next door. There was cotton candy available for desert and freshly pressed apple cider.

The parade began at noon with a fly over by Rodney Erickson and his boss, Steve Weatherby, in an AT-6 Texan vintage World War II era training plan. The El Zagal Viking Ship floated past parade watchers as did Melroe Bobcats, miniature cars, several parade floats and the Wild Rice Antique Tractor and Plowing Association antique tractors, interspersed among the horse drawn carriages, horses and riders and antique and classic cars.

Antique tractors were on display on First Street along with the classic cars ranging from a Model A Ford, circa 1930, all the way up to a 1999 Plymouth Prowler. Demonstrations of tatting, wheat weaving, wool spinning, rope making and corn shelling could also be found. Across the street, the Post Office had a special stamp cancellation all day for visitors to bring home a memento of the day. Homemade ice cream was being served at the laundromat. More than 300 visitors signed the guest register at the Depot Museum. It was another successful Uffda Day.