Return of Bug Days draws crowd

The five senses were again used to full capacity as the return of Boxelder Bug Days brought about a large crowd.
"It's nice to see so many faces out here again," said Boxelder Bug Days chairman Scott Josephson as he stood on stage in Bug Square Saturday afternoon to address those in attendance.
The COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the town's annual event last year, although it was able to still crown a queen and princesses. In 2019, rain fell most of the day on Saturday, dampening the spirts of many and scaling back activities and the number of people.
"I love coming back for Boxelder Bug Days," said Deanna Hanson, who was celebrating her 65th class reunion at City Hall Bar & Grill with 13 other classmates.
As a slight COVID uptick hit Minneota recently, committee members made some slight late adjustments to make sure everyone was safe. Indoor activities urged those in attendance to wear masks and hand sanitizers were visible in many locations.
The Firemen's Pancake Breakfast was still held on Sunday, but was scaled back to a pick-up event instead of dining on location.
One popular event that was not held this year was the annual Smokin' BBQ Cook-off at Veterans Park due to a lack of participants. Generally, there are between 7 to 10 entered in the event in which chicken and ribs are cooked and customers can purchase samples of the ribs and vote for the who they feel did the best job.
It was reported that only two teams signed up for the cook-off, so organizers decided to cancel it.
"We will have to evaluate the Smokin' BBQ contest to see how we can get more people involved next year," said Josephson.
Still, there were plenty of things for visitors to use their senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
SIGHTS: Just seeing so many people back after a lengthy pandemic that has limited so many events and activities the last 18 months put a smile many faces. Seeing the children enjoying themselves in the Kiddie Parade, the inflatables, the petting zoo, the boxelder bug races, the food and more was rewarding. It's always exciting to see the reaction of the queen being crowned, or a pedal tractor winner receiving his/her trophy.
SOUNDS: The buzz of so many people visiting with one another was prevalent. Many of them had not seen one another in a long time, such as those attending class and family reunions, and it was exciting for them to be able to return to their hometown. The quality entertainment on stage such as JT, Platinum Road, Ali Gray's Country Jamboree, and Avenger Joe also returned and drew large crowds. Local authors Dana Yost (along with his son, Luke) and Gail (Wyffels) Boe proudly presenting the recent books they had published were well attended in the Opera Hall. Royal Hettling was busy answering questions at the Vietnam Memorial History Center as others listened intently.
SMELLS: It was hard not to identify the wafting of the seven cooks participating in the Johnny Tillemans Memorial Chili Cook-off on the east parking lot of Veterans Park. And the cooking of the pancakes at the Fire Hall wafted through the air. The many other smells of food vendors in Big Square such as kettle corn, hamburgers, corn dogs and much more enticed patrons of all ages.
TASTE: The tastebuds got a workout for many people who find it hard to resist not trying various food and beverage items being sold throughout the day by local groups or food vendors, ranging from hot or cold items to sweet or sour. Those attending the Chili Cook-off could purchase samples of the chef's recipes and then vote for their favorite. No two recipes were the same; some were spicy, and some were mild.
TOUCH: The children delighted in petting the goats and other animals at the modest petting zoo on the south side of Veterans Park. Handshakes, hugs and back pats are a constant during the three-day event. A large contingent of participants clutching their bean bags before tossing them filled First Street. And touch was never more important than to those ascending the National Guard climbing wall.
Boxelder Bug Days continues to be one of the best small-town celebrations in the state. The five senses prove that.