By Kristen Miller
News Editor

DASSEL, MN – The 52nd Red Rooster Days festivities are about to begin, offering activities for the whole family to enjoy all weekend long, Sept. 2-5.

One thing new this year is the plan for hiding the popular golden egg.

Early traditions were that eggs were hidden on the grounds. As years went on, additional golden eggs were hidden in advance with clues given as to where to find the eggs.

Starting in 1990, only one egg was hidden prior to the event.

This year, the committee decided to revert back to the early tradition and have the newly crowned ambassadors hide eight eggs on the grounds of the Dassel Ballpark.

Seekers can begin their search Monday, Sept. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each egg found will be worth $10 (limit one egg per person). Rules will be posted on the ticket booth. There is no age requirement.

By hiding the egg the day of the barbecue, it makes it more a part of the festival, said Red Rooster Committee Chair Connie Walters.

For its second year in a row, Dassel Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free movie. “How to Train Your Dragon” will be shown in the Dassel Ballpark Friday, Sept. 2 at 8:15 p.m.

Don Berg will give a presentation on what it was like to be a “Main Street kid” in Dassel Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Dassel History Center.

Berg is a 1964 Dassel High School graduate who currently lives half the year in Albertville, and half in Venus, FL.

His dad, Martin Berg, owned a barber shop in downtown Dassel and he remembers what it was like to be the son of a business owner.

Berg decided to collect stories from others whose parents owned businesses downtown, particularly from 1940-70.

He will read some of those stories, which have been compiled in a publication that has yet to be published. Stories are still being accepted for this compilation.

Saturday, starting at 3 p.m., the Red Rooster parade will be underway, with even more bands this year in addition to the Dassel-Cokato Marching Chargers.

Participants in the parade should be at the Fire Lake parking lot by 2 p.m. Any questions can be directed to Wayne Medcraft, (320) 275-9200.

The grand marshals of the parade this year are long-time parade coordinators Roger and Maribel Gilmer. Read the full story in Monday's paper edition.

Coming back this year to Red Rooster Days is the Sew Friendly Quilt Guild’s annual quilt show Sunday 2-5 p.m., and Monday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dassel Covenant Church. A queen-size quilt will be raffled.

A recital celebrating the late Louise Guhl, a piano teacher who taught students for 53 years in Dassel, will take place Sunday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church.

Fourteen of Guhl’s former students will share their talents as they perform in her honor.

A reception will follow at the Dassel History Center featuring Guhl’s award-winning Plums Perfection dessert.

This will also be the debut of a temporary exhibit dedicated to Guhl. Read the full story about the exhibit in Monday's paper edition.

Friday, Sept. 2

• 3-6 p.m. Dassel Farmers Market – Railroad Park, Atlantic Ave.

• 8:15 p.m. Movie in the Park – ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ Dassel Ballpark

Saturday, Sept. 3

• 8:30 a.m. bike ride/rollerblade – 18-mile ride (reg. 7-8 a.m.)

• 9 a.m. Kickball Tournament – Spring Lake Park, Dassel Ballpark

• 10 a.m. bike ride/rollerblade – 7-mile ride

• 10 a.m. main street kids – Dassel History Center

• 12:30 p.m. bean Bag Toss Tournament – Thirsty's Tavern

• 1-3 p.m. fine arts show – Dassel History Center, reception

• 3 p.m. Parade – Willis St. to William Ave. to 5th St.

• After Parade pie social – Gethsemane Lutheran Church

• 5 p.m. waterball – Fire Hall

• 7 p.m. Ambassador coronation – DC Performing Arts Center – Admission: 17 years and under $3, Over 18, $6• 8 p.m. street dance featuring CrB – Thirsty’s Tavern, Atlantic Ave. – $2 at gate

Sunday, Sept. 4

• 10:30 a.m. COMMUNITY WORSHIP service – Evangelical Covenant Church, Lunch to follow in Social Hall – 11:30 am - 1 pm

• 2-5 p.m. fine arts show – Dassel History Center

• 2 p.m. Minnesota Minn-e-Rods – Atlantic Ave.

• 2 p.m. Guhl Piano recital– Gethsemane Lutheran Church

• 2-5 p.m. Quilt show– Dassel Covenant Church

• 6 p.m. BRAT FEED – Spring Lake Park, Upper Shelter

• 7 p.m. hymn sing – Dassel Church of Christ

• 9:30 p.m. FIREWORKS – Spring Lake Park

Monday, Sept. 5

• 8:30 a.m. Red Rooster Run/Walk – 5-Mile Run & 1-Mile Run/Walk – Dassel Ballpark, registration 8 am

• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. fine arts show – Dassel History Center

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Quilt show– Dassel Covenant Church

• 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. bbq chicken dinner– Dassel Ballpark – $8

• 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. concessions, vendors, music, exhibits, antique car show, inflatables – Dassel Ballpark

• 1 p.m. KIDS PEDAL PULL – Dassel Ballpark – Ages 4 to 11