Larry Tatge has had his jewelry store on the main thoroughfare of Kenyon for 46 years.  The Rose Fest Committee announced tonight at the Kenyon VFW he would be this year's Rose Fest Parade Grand Marshal.

Missy Sviggum did the honors, telling those in attendance, "Before Larry was fixing watches that wern't working he was fixing cars at Held Chevrolet in Kenyon.  One day when Larry's own watch crystal broke he was told by former Kenyon jeweler George Brovald that he would fix it for him but only if Larry would come in and see how a watch works."

Sviggum continued, "George Brovald figured if Larry could fix cars he could also learn to fix watches and said it would be better to be in business for himself.  The rest as they say is history.  Larry took over the jewelry shop in March of 1975 and Tatge Jewelry has been a solid mainstay on Kenyon's main street (2nd Avenue) for the past 46 years."

Sviggum added, "While his work may have changed from cars to watches, clocks and diamonds, his love of cars, especially Corvettes has remained.  Prior to being a familiar face on Kenyon's main street Larry liked to drive fast.  In fact he won the 1969 Spring Nationals in Dallas, Texas and I hear he is in the National Hall of Fame."

"I wonder Larry if you received a nice trophy like the ones you receive from Awards by Tatge?  Today Larry still owns Corvettes but I'm sure unlike the earlier days their only driven under the speed limit right?

Tatge chuckled as Sviggum detailed Larry's running across the street when he was grabbing a coffee and learning some Kenyon news with friends.  He would be watching his storefront and if a customer arrived he would run across the street to assist them.

"Larry has provided our community with top notch customer service.  It's not uncommon to see the light on in his store early in the morning or late at night. Being in business 46 years doesn't just happen without being there and helping people find just the right way to say congratulations, I love you or maybe even I'm sorry a few times."

Sviggum continued, "Larry has been a member of KABA (Kenyon Area Business Association), the Kenyon Volunteer Fire Department, Snowmobile Club, Retail Jewelers of America and the Southeast Jewelers of Minnesota.  Larry and Sonia have been married almost 48 years.  I hear it'll be 48 years in October so Larry if you haven't gotten that gift yet I can recommend a jewelry store really close."

Some of Larry's grandchildren and his children were there for the announcement.

The Rose Fest Committee member concluded, "Kenyon has benefited by having a community minded business leader like Larry on the main street for the past 46 years and Larry if you happen to have any thoughts about moving on to that next chapter in your life I'd like to remind you that George Brovald was in Kenyon on the main street for 54 years.  We are pleased to have you be the 2021 Grand Marshal."

A certificate was given to the Tatge Jewelry store owner because everyone was trying to keep it a secret so obviously they couldn't order a plaque from him for him.  It turns out Larry knew about honor already.

No speech was given but Tatge did say to KDHL he would not have been in business for 46 years, " without the support of Kenyon and the surrounding area."

Rose Fest is the annual Kenyon community celebration held the third weekend in August.

Larry Tatge will be in the parade along with a number of Shriner units, the K-W Marching Band, and more.

Here is a listing of events this weekend Thursday through Sunday in Kenyon.

Thursday, August 19, 2021

7:00 p.m.  Iron Heart Pro Wrestling at Kenyon Fire Hall

Friday, August 20, 2021

City-Wide Garage Sales

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Book Sale in City Council Chambers

1 p.m.  K-W Athletic Booster Club Golf Tournament

5-7 p.m.  Hog Roast inside the VFW

5-8 p.m. Wine and Beer Tasting at Fire Hall

Friday Fun Night at the Park and Pool includes 5 p.m. Fire Trucks/Police Car Tours,
6 p.m. Xtreme Water Slide, 7 p.m. Rose Fest Regatta at the Kenyon Municipal Pool
8 p.m.  to 10 p.m.  FREE Pool Party

7:30 to 10:30 p.m.  Live music inside VFW, 21+, no cover- Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio

8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.  Street Dance outside Kenyon Muni, All Ages, $5 cover featuring The Local Hooligans

Saturday, August 21, 2021

City Wide Garage Sales Continue

8:00 a.m.  5K Run/Walk, KW Athletic Booster Club Fundraiser at High School

8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Rose Fest Car Show featuring $100 Cash Prize Drawings on the hour every hour (must be present to win)

  • No Registration- Free Entry
  • Parking on Forest Street between 2nd and 5th Street
  • Family Friendly, Casual Atmosphere
  • Bring a Non-Perishable Food Item to Donate to the Local Food Shelf
  • Contact Lee 507-491-6861 or Bob 507-458-6778

9:00 a.m.  Tractor Pull at Maring Auction Lot Highway 56 north Kenyon

9 a.m. to Noon Book Sale in City Council Chambers

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vendor and Craft Market at Held Garage/ Jon Held's KW Area Gift Drive.

10:00 a.m. Road Rally line-up at elevator

10:00 a.m.  Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull at Security State Bank of Kenyon

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Ladies Auxiliary Lunch at VFW

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. FAMILY FUN DAY at Depot Park includes FREE Inflatables, Petting Zoo, face painting

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Gunderson House tours/Pop-Up Museum

3:00 p.m. Parade.  Line up is along 6th and Spring streets by K-W Middle/High School.  There is no parking along the parade route.  Parade ends on Langford Avenue.  Yours trully will be announcing the units.

4:00 p.m.  Bean Bag Tournament at Kenyon Muni

6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Family Bingo inside the VFW

8p.m. to 12:30 a.m.  Street Dance outside Kenyon Muni, all ages, $10 cover, Tony Williams opens for The Dads

Rose Fest Sunday features Cosing Ceremony for the Field of Flags at Veterans Park Friday through Sunday.

To reserve a flag contact Mac 789-5467.  Flags will fly Friday through Sunday.  Closing Sunday features;  1:00 p.m. Zumbrota Community Band, 2:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony.

A map of the parade route is below:

2021 Rose Fest Parade Route. Provided by Rose Fest Committee
2021 Rose Fest Parade Route. Provided by Rose Fest Committee
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