Year in Review: Festivals return, from the Regatta to Turkey Day and the International Festival
Dec. 30—WORTHINGTON — After COVID-19 shut down large gatherings, community festivals returned in 2021, bringing with them music, food and fun, from the Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival to King Turkey Day and the Worthington International Festival too.
Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival
Sailboard Beach once again played host to visiting and home-grown windsurfers, musicians and food vendors, accompanied by the usual crowds of fans, from June 11-13.
The Regatta started off with a literal bang, as a storm front dropped in as people were setting up for the gathering. The beer tent went down, and Big Top Tent Rentals in Luverne had to supply a replacement. A few portable toilets toppled, but no one was injured, so the event went forward as planned.
"It's great to be back," said Sue Koob, who has served food at the Regatta for 16 years along with her husband Paul. "I missed seeing the people, and missed the camaraderie. It's just been tons of fun, bottom line."
All the bands that had been scheduled to play at the 2020 Regatta instead performed at the 2021 event, including Casey Donahew, Ben Johnson, Up South, Bootleg and Sweet Siren.
And all the thrilling windsurfing races returned as well.
The new event for the year was axe throwing, supplied by Woody's Axe Throwing. The Artmobile was on hand, as it usually is, and the Kids Zone was open with games and crafts too. The Regatta community church service was on Sunday, and while the chair auction wasn't offered this year, there was a raffle to benefit the Regatta.
The International Festival
The 27th Worthington International Festival kicked off with a parade of flags in its opening ceremonies on July 9, with a fashion show and a recognition of essential workers on the lawn of the Nobles County Government Center.
"We were so bummed we couldn't have it last year, but because we had gone ahead and planned, even though we weren't able to have it in 2020, we already had things in place and knew exactly what we needed to do for this year," said Chansouk Duangapai, chair of the International Festival committee.
Musical acts included Malamanya, sharing their Cuban music, and Duniya Drum and Dance, bringing the sounds of Guinea to the festival. Los Alegres Bailadores danced, and many young people from around the area performed too. There were bagpipers, Lao dancers and Native American drum and dance, and much more.
Booths represented diverse cultures including the Oromo, Karen and Eritrean peoples as well as Guatemala and other nations. The outdoor festival featured an array of kids' activities, and the Baron of Bubble was there to make bubbles with festivalgoers.
Food options, too, went international, with Caribbean Kitchen & Grill, Tetest, the Lao Temple, Tacos Jalisco and many others offering an array of choices and new cuisine experiences.
King Turkey Day
The majesty of turkey racing returned to Worthington and Cuero, Texas, in 2021, as Paycheck and Ruby Begonia once again squared off to win the Traveling Turkey Trophy of Tumultuous Triumph. Both turkeys were pumped and ready, after a year off to build their strength and endurance.
The festival began with the traditional King Turkey Day Mixer at Pioneer Village on Sept. 16, and continued with food vendors, the beer garden and a movie shown on the Government Center lawn on Sept. 17. The 5K and 10K walk/run kicked off the Saturday fun, and the free pancake breakfast at the Worthington Fire Hall returned as well.
The featured speaker Gordon Moore III, an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, shared memories of previous King Turkey Days, and was followed by the first leg of the Great Gobbler Gallop.
Paycheck took the honors in Worthington that day, taking wing and passing the finish line in 1 minute, 11.58 seconds, despite Ruby's early lead.
"We had a slow start," said Paycheck's coach, Doug Tate. "Until we decided it was time to just blow right past Ruby. He got airlifted, flew 20 feet and we knew we were gonna be the victors."
The race between turkeys — and their human handlers — was the centerpiece, but as always, activities abounded, including inflatables and other fun for children, a cornhole tournament, face painting, caricatures and a balloon artist. And crowds lined the streets for the traditional King Turkey Day parade.