By Ryan Gueningsman
Managing Editor

DELANO, MN – Broadcast meteorologist Mike Lynch of WCCO Radio will be the grand marshal for this year’s Fourth of July parade in Delano Saturday, July 4.

Lynch has been at WCCO Radio since 1981. He loves teaching the basics of stargazing, and especially pointing out constellations and telling the stories about them.

He’s covered everything from horrific tornadoes to record cold temperatures. He was broadcasting live in Tower, MN Feb. 2, 1996, when it got down to 60 degrees below zero, the all-time record low temperature for Minnesota.

Lynch’s astronomy teaching goes back to 1973, when he taught his first astronomy-stargazing class at the Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield. He was inspired by the US Space Program, the moon landings, and that’s what really got his interest going in the night sky. Mike has built three telescopes since the early ‘70s and still uses them all.

Lynch has taught thousands of classes since 1973, all around Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The main goal Lynch has for his students is to . . . “make the stars your old friends!”

For more information, visit www.lynchandthestars.com.

Everyone is welcome to a stargazing session with Lynch Friday, July 3 at 10 p.m. at the Delano High School football field.

Also, following the parade Saturday, July 4, Lynch will be doing a meet and greet near the beer tent at the park from 1 to 3 p.m.

Parade returns to original route

Attended by thousands from across the Upper Midwest, the state’s oldest and largest Fourth of July parade begins at the Delano High school at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Fourth of July Committee Chairman Jack Lynch said that in 2008, an alternate parade route was used due to road construction, but in 2009, the route is going back to what it had been for years prior.

“The parade route is going back to what it was,” Lynch said. “It’ll start on Elm Avenue, head west to Third Street, south to Railroad Avenue, then west to River Street by the Delano Post Office, then north on River Street to Central Park,” Lynch explained. “We had a lot of people that wanted it to continue, but it just works out a lot better to go back to the old route and have it end at Central Park.” Hundreds of floats, clowns, horses, and other entries are sure to please all in attendance.

This year’s parade will showcase marching bands from Delano High School, Lakeville South High School, and the Leadership Team from the University of Minnesota Marching Band.

One float each year is also honored with the Bill Diem Memorial Chairman’s Award. Given by his family in honor of the celebration chair for 30 years, the award is given to the best float in the parade. Past award winners are: 2004 – Delano American Legion; 2005 – Delano Royalty; 2006 – Maple Grove Royalty; 2007 – Princeton Royalty; 2008 – Winsted Summer Festival.

Due to the great attendance this parade enjoys each year, roads into the parade route close at 9:30 a.m. (5K race is at 9:45 a.m.). There are parking areas in the center of town, and in the lots near the city park.

Plenty of live music the whole weekend

Music under the big top this year will feature a number of returning favorites, as well as one of the Midwest’s hottest ‘80s tribute bands, Hairball.

The live music will keep people dancing in the streets throughout the entire Fourth of July celebration this year in Delano. Organizers have lined up top-notch local and regional talent to perform throughout the event. Bands for the 2009 celebration include The Deep Fried Tweeters, Wednesday, July 1 from 7 to 11 p.m.; Hairball, Thursday, July 2 from 8 p.m. to midnight; Butch Automatic, Friday, July 3 from 8 p.m. to midnight; the Marv Nissel Band, Saturday, July 4 from 1 to 3 p.m.; and High Noon, Saturday, July 4 from 8 p.m. to midnight.

All bands will perform at the bandshell in Central Park.

The race returns

The Delano Fourth of July fun run is back after a year off due to road construction. With a 9:45 a.m. start time, timing by ChampionChip Minnesota, and a course that is USATF certified, the 25th annual race will start on St. Peter Avenue, near the Delano Crossings Shopping Center, and wind its way along the parade route down to Central Park.

For more details on the run, contact Amy Stewart at (763) 972-9968.

Schedule of events for Delano celebration

Wednesday, July 1

5-10 p.m. – GoldStar Amusement Carnival Armband Day, unlimited rides $22

6 p.m. – Softball Tournament begins

6:30 p.m. – Kiddie Parade – lineup at 6 p.m. at Delano City Hall. Prizes for best costume in: patriotic, sports, cartoons, and a miscellaneous category

7-11 p.m. – Entertainment Tent - Deep Fried Tweeters

7:30 p.m. – Delano As vs. Plato Blue Jays

Thursday, July 2

Noon: Legion Baseball Tournament begins

5 p.m. – GoldStar Amusement Carnival

6 p.m. – Softball Tournament continues

8 p.m.-midnight: Entertainment Tent - Hairball

Friday, July 3

9 a.m. – Softball Tournament continues

12 p.m. – Legion Baseball Tourney Continues

1-5 p.m. – GoldStar Amusement Carnival Armband Day

Unlimited Rides $22

Noon: Kiddie Tractor Pull East of the Grandstand

6:30 p.m. – Delano Royalty Coronation - Delano School Auditorium *Note location/time change

10 p.m. – Star Gazing with WCCO’s Mike Lynch, Giant Telescope at the Delano High School Football Field

8 p.m.-midnight: Entertainment Tent - Butch Automatic

Saturday, July 4

9:45 a.m. – 5K Run - Registration at Delano Crossing Mall 7:30 am

10:30 a.m. – Minnesota’s Oldest and Largest Parade -Grand Marshal Mike Lynch of WCCO

12 p.m. – Legion Baseball Tourney continues - Championship at 8 pm

1 p.m. – Softball Tournament Cont.

1 p.m. – Entertainment Tent -Marv Nissel Band

2 p.m. – Wrestling with Buck “Rock-n-Roll” Zumhofe *Cage Match*

8 p.m. – High Noon

10:30 p.m. – Huge fireworks display

For more information

For more information on the Delano Fourth of July celebration, visit www.delano4th.com.