Saco Fun Days Celebrated 60 Years Last Weekend

The population of Saco just might have doubled over the weekend as the peaceful little town on the hi-line enjoyed the 60th Annual Fun Days on Friday, September 1 through Sunday, September 3.

With a population of 159 (2021 census), the town was bursting at the seams with patriotism, town pride and cooperation.

Saturday was a big celebration as the parade kicked off the events. Saco Chamber of Commerce Secretary Dannie Gehrke had the honor of announcing the parade. With the assistance of Chris Pippin directing, Nathan Salveson and Carter Pippen sang the National Anthem.

Twenty-five entries were in the parade. The Saco American Legion Post 79 Post Adjutant, Wes Jacobs, Jack Baker, Mark Pippin, Bill Thayer and Robert Plouffe were joined by members of Malta's American Legion 57, Sons of the Legion and VFW Auxiliary members in the color presentation. The group displayed the American flag, VFW flag, the Ladies Auxiliary of Buster Deo Post 4067 (Malta) and the POW-MIA flag as well. A little red wagon of candy throwers, Alysa Jensen and Alyx Quinnell, started the tradition of throwing candy to anxious parade goers, the sides of the streets were lined by young and old - some came for some serious candy fetching with bags in hand. They were followed by the Ambulance Service which was driven by Crystal and Britt.

Taking the next spot in line was the Saco Fire Trucks, driven by the Salveson and Suddeth family members. The DNRC brought their firefighting rig as well.

Always a strong supporter of Saco Fun Days, the Saco Dehy entered the parade. Following all the red of the fire trucks, Nemont Communications joined the festivities and candy throwing amid the crowd assembled. Opportunity Bank of Hinsdale also joined in the festivities.

The Grand Marshalls of the 60th celebration, Clint and Jana Simpson arrived in a side-by-side and were the honored guests of the weekend.

Not to be left behind or miss the fun, four Malta Shriners brought their spirited lawn mowers and entertained the young and not so young, sharing smiles to all.

Three generations of the Yeska family drove the 1951 Chevy pickup entry; Dick Cotton of the Flatland Cruisers of N.E. Montana was decked out and shiny is his 1967 Ranchero. Splashy and spiffed up, the 1966 Ford Galaxy was driven by Charlie and Shelley Romo.

The first new pickup Grandpa Leo (Bergtoll) ever bought had four members of the family along for the ride, including Bria, who at four days old, was in her first parade.

Loaded for a fun ride, a '64 Chevy C10 that the Albus boys have been working on and getting it up and roaring came next in line. Sleek and compact, a white '84 Corvette followed, with Norm and Kim Girard. Right behind by Bob and Sandy Duncan in their '62 Impala.

Sporting a fine and well preserved bright purple '55 Chevy Bel Air, Jack and D'Lynn Schye were eye-catchers in the parade. Berkley Jund and her lamb, "Twister" make the two block trek to be part of the festivities.

On horseback, Jessa Erickson carried an American flag, Lacey Beil a Montana flag and Lexy Haynes carried the County Line Rodeo Arena flag.

Graceful, and managing to swirl through a couple tricks, were Blake Ozark and Royce Strobbe, trick riders, and Rowdy Beil and "Little Bill," a colt were crowd pleasers.

Larry Ross Simpson and daughter Laney were joined by two other riders, and a short in the saddle cowboy (unidentified) horse riders, closing up parade entries.

No parade is without the "almost ran" and the one this year was just tough luck for Brian Linn and his '71 Cuda; it failed to cooperate and had to be pushed off the route by five husky and stout fellas.

Jana Simpson said, "We tried to get out of being the Grand Marshalls, but they wouldn't hear of it. We're usually busy cooking the corn on the cob every year that we're busy enough!"

She added that Clint had served four years as Mayor of Saco at a point in time, and she had worked for the Town at a time as well. They have never actually "joined" the Chamber, they just been there to lend a hand. Clint has had the task of preparing the corn for "many" years, with the help of Jess Erickson, Audie Simpson, Dale Sudbrach and a reliable crew.

"We've always been active supporters of the event and town activities, we're here to help the community out."

The celebration moved indoors to the Town Shop where a diligent crew worked and prepared roast beef sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw, drinks, chips and the finely prepared corn on the cob. The crew was evident that many hands make the load light.

Gehrke then started calling out winning numbers of the approximate $12,000 in prizes that were available to lucky button holders. With over 800 buttons sold, lucky button holders were anxious to get the event going.

A panel of judges provided their selection of winners in the parade, with the group of horseback riders and the trick riders being chosen for first place. Placing second was with a tie were the '55 Bel Aire (Schye) and Bergtolls (bright red) truck. The Malta Shrine Club were selected as third place winners.

Another chapter in the history of a little town alongside the railroad track, was about to turn a page and begin the next chapter with the rodeo at the County Line Arena following the dinner, with passionate horseshoe players waiting to try their skills in the afternoon as well. The Saco Fun Days is just half the age of the Phillips County Fair in Dodson, continuing 118 years this past August, however, they managed to put on one fine event...thanks to a community working side by side, hand in hand. Well done, Saco!