08/14/2026
Willow River Area Days Club Thank You
Our hearts are full as we look back on another successful Willow River Area Days weekend. Words cannot express how thankful we are for all the support we’ve received to make this event happen again. We’d like to thank the following supporters:
The City of Willow River for their support of our celebration weekend.
Pine County Sheriff’s Office and Pine County Highway Department for their help in keeping traffic moving and our community safe.
Lindsay Mlaskoch & Lyndee Mlaskoch for planning and coordinating the Miss Willow River Coronation for young ladies in our area and the great amount of support for the royalty to attend various events.
To the young ladies who participated in the coronation, your willingness to represent your community is appreciated and know you will always have our support as you represent our communities in such a positive way.
Mark and Noah Uszenski-amazing job announcing the parade, sharing events happening over the weekend, and playing music before and after to entertain the crowds.
Every one of our parade participants – you all made it a great event! Special shout out to the American Legion Post 361 Denham-Sturgeon Lake-Willow River for leading our parade with honor; to our 2026 Grand Marshals Ron and Pat Prachar for their many years of dedication and support to our communities, and our local volunteer fire departments, EMTs and DNR for serving our communities.
Northern Natural Gas, Minnesota Energy, and Michels Pipeline for joining our parade and supporting our communities.
Natalie Mlaskoch, Sheryl Lemke, and Diane Lundberg for doing parade registration and keeping it all in order.
Parade Line Up Volunteers: Nick Collier, Nick Sogla & Kaden Steen
Our ‘No Parking’ and traffic sign coordinators who start early Saturday morning and continued until after the parade: Seth Goodnature, Cory Tasler, and Tony Kosloski
Vickie and Garrett for putting out ‘No Parking’ signs along Willow Street on Friday.
Moose Lake Area Hockey Association for putting on a great spaghetti dinner.
Weeping Willa for planning and coordinating the Memorial Walk/Run and the positive atmosphere for all participants.
Dustin Mlaskoch for hosting the awesome car show.
The Willow River Fire Department for opening the fire hall and giving everyone a chance to see the trucks and learn about the fire department.
Willow River Mercantile for opening up for the historical picture display and letting so many back in the Merc to reminisce.
Dawn Tasler and the many volunteers from Catch & Release Tumble Cheer Club for putting on all the kids’ activities at the school for all ages.
Figueroa’s Café for having café specials over the weekend.
Corral Bar and Squirrel Cage Bar & Grill for all the events throughout the weekend, and two nights of great music by Sturgeon Lake DJ/Karaoke, DJ Alex, Shovel Shot, and Gypsy Wagyn.
Waves of Honor & Weeping Willa for bringing the watercross demonstration to town.
Willow River Community Club for the wonderful ‘Music & Memories’ Program.
Willow River Community Education for putting on Candy Bar Bingo at the school.
Jackie Hattenberger for coordinating the cribbage tournament and the Corral Bar for hosting the event.
Each of the vendors/crafters who set up in town on Saturday to showcase local small businesses and talent.
The food vendors who came and gave delicious options for filling the bellies.
Willow River Lumber for the discount on picnic table supplies and Cory Tasler and Tony Kosloski for building four picnic tables for community use.
Peggy Villa for the use of her water for the kid games.
MN DOC for help in putting up the safety fence at the school.
Diamond Dance Studio for cleaning up our streets to keep our city looking amazing.
Northview Bank for the use of the building for speaker placement and for supplying electricity for the parade announcer.
Information Booth and T-Shirt/Button Sales volunteer: Tammy Guss and Evie Kimmell
Image Design for creating our magnets and banners.
Nordstrom Sanitation for all the trash cans around town and early morning hours emptying them so we could start our days fresh.
Bruce Bohaty for use of the lots for food vendors and a class reunion.
Kettle River Grafix for printing our posters and buttons.
Paul’s Portables for providing facilities around town to ease restroom lines.
Corral Bar, Dave’s Oil, Denham Run Bar & Grill, Figueroa’s Café, Jamie’s on Main, Mikey’s Bar, Northview Bank-Willow River, Parker’s Sandbar, Pizza Pub-Sturgeon Lake, Ray & Marge’s Resort, Squirrel Cage Bar & Grill, Willow + Root Salon and Spa, and Willow River Lumber for helping us sell buttons.
Dustin, Chad, and Erik for doing just about anything we asked of you to help us prepare and clean up for the weekend.
The sponsors who generously supported the club and helped cover the expenses that come with an event like this!
GOLD ($500 or higher)
American Legion Post 361 Denham/Sturgeon Lake/Willow River
Buckshot Constructions, LLC
Diamond Dance Studio
Doc’s Bar & Grill-Sturgeon Lake
Edward Jones-Tia Grutkoski, Jon Lund, Suzy Grutkoski
Finlayson-Giese Lions Club
First National Bank of Moose Lake
Kettle River Pizza
Minnesota Energy Resources
Nordstrom’s Sanitation
Northern Natural Gas
Northern Pine Riders Snowmobile Club
Northland Apparel
Northview Bank-Willow River
Squirrel Cage Bar & Grill
Sturgeon Lake Lions Club
United Country Real Estate-Minnesota Properties
Vetcon
Willow + Root Salon and Spa
Willow River Commercial Club
Willow River Lumber
SILVER ($250-$499)
D & E Heating and Air Conditioning
Finlayson-Giese Sportsman Club
Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home
Little Willow Child Care
Northern Rose Creations
R & R Landscaping
Town & Country Insurance
BRONZE ($150-$249)
210 Gallery & Arts Center
East Central Energy
JJ’s Bottle Shop
Moose Lake Auto Value
Moose Lake Brewing Company, LLC
Northwoods Credit Union
Parker’s Sandbar
Pizza Pub-Sturgeon Lake
R & G Waldhalm Contractors
SPIRIT (up to $149)
Corral Bar
Doc’s on 23-Askov
Jamie’s on Main
Prachar’s Cabinets
St. Mary’s CCW
And last, but certainly not least, our group of dedicated committee members who plan and coordinate the details leading up to the weekend with the button design and sales, sponsorships requests, poster listings, t-shirt sales, parade planning, social media posts, vendor communications, and coordinating events during the weekend. Willow River Area Days Committee: Cory & Dawn Tasler, Lindsay Mlaskoch, Lyndee Mlaskoch, Mike & Brenda Fanum, Victoria Prachar, Heidi Holmgren, Jennifer Mlaskoch, Betsy Kimmell, Connie Peterson
If we missed anyone, we truly apologize and know all support is appreciated!
We are so blessed for all the support from our community members, visitors, and businesses for Willow River Area Days and we wouldn’t have had a great weekend without you! We hope to see you all at the 2027 Willow River Area Days July 23rd-25th!
Jennifer Mlaskoch-President
Betsy Kimmell-Vice President
Connie Peterson-Secretary/Treasurer
***Winning button number: 392 Claim the $500 cash prize by 8/26/2026 by contacting the organization at [email protected] ***
