SANBORN, N.D. - Only one day a year does this little village grow in population 10-fold.
North Dakota as well as South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Arizona and Minnesota were all represented, and organizations of all kinds came, too.
The Sodbuster Stampede Bullarama of Sibley N.D., www. dakotapoms. com and the Sanborn High School class of 1957 all made it for the parade.
People of all kinds came from near and far for the annual Sanborn Fourth of July celebration.
Darrell Lettenmaier has been a volunteer with the Sanborn Fire Department for 43 years and said he has helped out with the Fourth of July celebration for each one of them.
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In fact, Lettenmaier said he even helped start the tradition of the demolition derby. He said about 2,000 to 3,000 people attended the celebration. The town of Sanborn is home only to 194.
"A lot of them come back here for their vacation," he said.
Many who attended grew up in or around Sanborn, and continue the tradition of attending with their own children.
Dean and Brenda Klein of Valley City have come for about the past five years, when their first child was born. Dean has come for a number of years -- he grew up in Sanborn.
His friends, Dave and Janis Berg, also of Valley City, have attended for the past 40 years, they said.
"It's fun because you know everybody," Janis said.
Part of the reason those who attend know so many people is because many are related to a number of them.
Allen Contreras, 8, of St. Thomas, Chris Contreras, 13, of Jamestown, Jordon Contreras, 10, of Jamestown, Alyssa Lee, 11, of Jamestown, and Cutler Contreras, 8, of Grafton, are all related and enjoyed the parade partly because their uncle was in it. They agreed that they also enjoy seeing family and friends.
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"It's really fun," Jordon said.
But the celebration wasn't all fun -- it was part games too.
Gunny sack, three-legged and other competitive races entertained the crowd after the parade. Winners received a handful of quarters for their efforts.
Katie Piatz, 20, of Cooperstown, won first place in the 18- to 40-year-old Ladies Nail Driving Contest. Her grand prize was $3 in quarters. Piatz won second place last year. Her parents attribute her success to her years in track. She said she will compete again next year.
"Once you win, you keep going," said her mother, Janice Piatz.
Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at (701) 952-8448 or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com
