Harvest Festival another success

After a lengthy duration of events being shut down, stores, restaurants and schools closing, people have been clamoring to get out and enjoy life.
That was never more evident than this past weekend in the tiny village of Porter.
People from neighboring towns join current and former residents in celebrating Harvest Festival each year.
Porter, named after early settler and mill owner L.C. Porter, has around 180 people living there. There seemed to be that many people just watching the kickball tournament in the park on Saturday.
"We might be a small town, but we always get a lot of people to come back for this each year," said Josh Sumption.
It's not a big carnival setting with a midway and food vendors scattered throughout. It's a modest celebration in a modest community.
Every event that was held was filled with people, from the tractor show to the craft show. From the water fight tournament to the kickball tournament.
The kickball tournament replaced the traditional softball tournament because there weren't enough teams sign up for the latter. So, a three-person committee came up with the idea of holding a kickball tournament instead, knowing people of all ages could participate.
"We were really hoping to get four teams," said Sumption. "We ended up with seven. We're thinking of having it again next year because it turned out so well."
Hometown Heroes won the kickball tournament. The majority of the players were from Minneota and Canby. The members of the team were Joseph Anderson, Jackson Esping, T.J. Esping, Jonah Gruenes, Morgan Noyes, Shane Noyes, Madalyn Schoneman, Blake Stoks, Nick Wagner, Maya Wente, Alexis Wollum, Elysa Wollum, Joseph Wollum, and Rachel Wollum.
Sumption was the winner of the grilling contest for his Spicy Smoke Corn Hotdish. Mason Merritt was second with his Buffalio Chicken Shrimp, and Randy, Anna, James and Izzy Kamrath were third with their Rum-Soaked Grilled Pineapple with Cocount Sorbet.
The 10th annual Porter Survivor Olympic winners were Joseph Anderson, Mason Merritt, Morgan Noyes, Blake Stoks, Brett Stoks, and Maya Wente.
There was also a medallion hunt, a senior citizens Queen and King coronation, kiddy and adult tractor pedal pull, the annual Tractor and Equipment show, inflatables, kids mini carnival, face painting, grilling competition, city-wide lawn mower and 4-wheeler Fun Run, musical entertainment, food specials at the Porter Cafe and CutLoose Bar, concession stand, burger feed, Bethel Church Old Time ice cream and other food, 5k run or walk, bean bag tournament, parking lot dance, horse show, survivor-type competition and more all packed into a weekend of fun for the entire family.
Porter may be small, but for one weekend a year it triples in size.