Ox Cart grand marshals selected

• Image

Martin and Bonnie Schwan are the grand marshals for this year’s Ox Cart Days parade. Ox Cart Days runs Aug. 20-22.

Talk about it

Two long-time Star Prairie residents are being placed in the spotlight this year.

Martin and Bonnie Schwan have been named this year’s Ox Cart Days grand marshals.

Ox Cart Days runs Aug. 20-22. The parade is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, with the Kiddie Parade preceding it at 1:30 p.m.

The Schwans’ connection to Star Prairie is strong. Martin was raised in the village, and the majority of his family still lives there. Bonnie moved to Star Prairie from Clear Lake about 45 years ago, when the two married.

“I just love the community,” Martin said about staying for more than 60 years. He’s now a part-time maintenance worker for the village.

“It has a small-town feel,” Bonnie added.

Martin was a charter member of the Star Prairie Lions Club, but isn’t a member now. During his time as a Lion, he helped plan the first Ox Cart Days, 41 years ago.

“It got bigger,” Martin said about the celebration’s changes over the years. Originally, the celebration was on a side street near the Village Hall.

The Schwans said they were surprised to be asked to be the grand marshals, but they were happy to accept.

“It wouldn’t have been polite to say ‘no,’” Martin joked.

Martin said he’s been in the parade before, mostly marching with the New Richmond Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, of which he’s a member. He served in the Army.

The Schwans said Ox Cart Days is a good time to socialize.

“It’s nice getting to see neighbors and friends who moved away,” Bonnie said.

To see a full schedule of Ox Cart Days events, visit www.oxcartdays.com.

Tags: arts and entertainment, star prairie, communities, entertainment