By: wireless on 11/10/09
Going to miss the street dance! Maybe they could just hv the street dance in stead of all the rest of the events would be cool.

By: depressed81 on 11/10/09
What's really stupid about this whole thing is everyone gets told 1 month before the santa in the park that there will not be a santa in the park this year. Alot of kids do look forward to seeing him down in the park. But now this year 1 month before everyone is told it's not gonna happen. They could have a least finished the year with that. That is the only thing left for this year anyway.

By: NewsHound on 11/10/09
Its sad to see it go but as usual I have lived here 25+ years and have never been approached by a Civic member. Maybe they truly didn't get out and see if any citizens would want to take part.

On another note. Straight Rivers Days has become a drunk fest. Its a sham that it has went from a family event to come out and get trashed. If Morristown can have a successful family event it sure would make a person think Medford could. Maybe its because Medford is a clicky town!

By: pookah on 11/10/09
This is too bad. Straight River Days was a great event, well known throughout SE MN. Hope this gets rectified for the residents of Medford and beyond.

By: secretsquirrel on 11/10/09
Medford is no more 'clicky' than any other small town and people needn't be approached to volunteer their time. I submit that those who wish to be involved will pursue their interests instead of waiting for their interests to pursue them.
If I were one to wait for an invitation to the things I am interested in, it would be a lonely existence indeed.
I suggest calling one of the members and finding out what you can do to salvage this organization and support it's events.
Medford without Straight River Days is hard to imagine. The street dance is positive event. The drunken revelry generally occurs after the kids have gone home.
Maybe I am missing something but from what I've seen, the sheriff's department & posse members have historically done a fine job of policing the event while allowing people the latitude to enjoy themselves.

By: NewsHound on 11/10/09
You must not live around all the events. Streets litered with beer cans and bottles. Drunken people walking into bushes to relieve themselves. Screaming like idiots from the moment they leave the park. That's not including the lude behavior that happens at the muni's dance. Some people in Medford believe to have a good time you need alchol. Maybe those people should consider there actions under the influence. Also most the time the sherriffs posse sit around shooting the breeze with each other.

Also how can someone be interested in something they never hear about? Where do they meet? What to they take on? What's there motivation? No one is saying anyone needs a invite but maybe going door to door to get the community aware of there club would have been a great idea.

By: Oliver on 11/10/09
In my opinion,the Straight River Days celebration died years back when they cancelled the mud races.Claremont's Hog Fest is the place to go.

By: MNBear on 11/10/09
Straight River Days has been a nice civic event, but the fact is that Medford is not "local" town any longer. It's a bedroom community. The folks who have lived in Medford for years and years are in the minority now - the people that live there now work elsewhere (some even commute to the Cities or Rochester), have kids involved in lots of activities, and have little time to devote to things like the Civic Club. Plus, given the costs associated with running Straight River Days (the liability insurance is a killer to cover the alcohol sales), unless people are going to pony up lots of donations, this thing is short-lived anyway.

Sad to see it go, but it isn't the end of the world. Medford isn't putting up the Christmas lights on the water tower either - costs too much money to justify.

By: secretsquirrel on 11/10/09
I get what you're saying newshound but it seems to me that those who are opposing the street dance based on these issues you cited HAVE heard about it.
Even on a local level. Some cities that host major attractions involving alcohol move the alcohol involved events to a location more appropriate. Maybe something can be worked out with the owners of the gravel pits surround the north end of town? Have a dance and drunken brawl out there?
Heritage Days in Faribault seems to have sufficient security, organization and staffing to host a week long event with few incidents. It's a larger event but the premise is the same. You get what you're willing to put up with.
You sound like someone who has some great ideas and an obvious sense of community. Get involved and maybe you can salvage what once was an enjoyable local event. The tourist dollars derived from such an event would certainly go a long way in the community.
I don't live in Medford but have family who have for more than thirty years, It's a nice town with nice people. Take advantage of that, take advantage of your resources.
One thing you have to admit about Medford is that there is a tremendous mount of pride there. USE that and improve.
I've seen your posts and admire your principles. Apply them. You would be a good fit for these functions newshound!

By: tigermom on 11/10/09
It is too bad that the events have been cancelled. However it takes people and money to run them. Credit should be given to the Civic Club and all the volunteers who have put together these events every year! Maybe the community can come together and bring back Straight River Days and the events!

By: FEIDO on 11/10/09
Call it what you want,to bad you can't come out to the west coast to a BEER festival or a WINE festival and just cut loose like it is intended.If you don't like straight river days the way they are run then I suggest you quit b@tc#@n and head the club the way you see it should be or keep quiet and don't attend.It sounds like they should have a Billy Graham festival according to a few.Festivals bring money and exposure to the towns for growth and merchant proffits and tax revenue.A great small town like Medford should have more than one festival a year.The city is really missing out on good advertising exposure.This is where a good mayor will step in and take control and try to pick up the ball and give it a throw to all residence of the village.The people are really missing out on a great opportunity for advertising exposure.Calling all people of Medford,go to the muni for happy hour on friday and pick up the ball.Maybe a Hemp fest would bring in more mellow people.

By: centuryfarm on 11/11/09
I remember 25 years ago when the canoe race had 150-200 couples entered. Is the race even going on anymore? I just don't see Straight River Days as popular as I remember it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly think it's been fading out over the years.

By: budlight on 11/11/09
come on medford,get off your lazy $SS and get some younger blood in there that are passionet about there little town and can bring the festivities back the way it use to be 20+ years ago! oliver is right on the money.it took some body like dean schuette to turn hog fest around to what it is now and some one should step up to the plate that lives in medford or even in the surounding country.as far as newshound or was that boozhound? sounds like what you described could have been you back when the festival was going strong??? you need to liten up or go on a trip that weekend my friend.good luck and wish the town its best.

By: NewsHound on 11/11/09
Budlight....I'm not disrespectful to others and never have been no matter what my age was. Maybe you should get a brain. Straight River Days has been going on for years. The good times were when the canoe races were around and a festival at the park for a family to enjoy. The park used to be full of activities. Then some nimrods got ahold of it and turned it into a drunk fest. Lets sell cheap beer and not have enough police to keep the town safe.

I've lived in Medford for many years. I was born and raised here and moved away for a few years and came back to raise my family. I want my children to see Medford as a respectable town not a disgrace of drunkness. Its amazing how people come and litter everywhere. Where is the respect for others properties? Also whats your address I will send a party in your yard and have young men expose themselves in your shrubs like many residents have had happen here.

I'm sure budlight you are a drunk that doesn't have any common sense. So go drink another and get a life.

By: secretsquirrel on 11/12/09
The poison pours..... Well, this will become an amusing thread since it seems to have lost it's productivity.
Whizzing in the rose garden implies a lack of facilities. Get more outhouses or get taller rose bushes.
Kids exposed to drunken revelry is more the result of not keeping an eye on your kids than one of drunks being drunks.
When the street dance takes place in Faribault, my kids are not permitted to be anywhere near there. Problem solved.
I may have mentioned that there is a lot of room around the town to have the 'adult activities' take place. Explore that option. It would be easier to control and all those coming in could be verified for age and scrutinized for sobriety as they leave. That would keep the raucous activities away from the city proper and also keep a lot of drunks from getting behind the wheel.
These are not being submitted as a panacea for all the problems associated with such an event but they are a start.

By: Anonymous on 11/12/09
NewsHound, I beg your pardon. You say you are not disrespecting? Disrespect is the same as insult, and you have insulted my mother as she is one of those "nimrods" on the committee/board as you so immaturely explained who "got ahold of it and turned it into a drunk fest". It's funny, because the way you complain about drinking so much, makes me think that you think of yourself as better than everyone. Watch your words and get your facts straight. Do you realize we live in a free country and are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages at the age of 21. You seem to be so focused on Straight River Days being a "drunk fest". What gives you the right to talk down and insult the committee and the people who choose to consume alcohol during Straight River Days? It's each persons own choice and their right. If you don't like it, that's too bad. Sucks for you. And in fact, you should know that in small towns, like Medford for instance, there's not a whole lot to do. If you don't like it and have such a problem with the town of Medford and seem to think it's a "disgrace of drunkenness" then move. You seem to know so much about everyone in Medford and seem to think that all everyone does is drinks and gets drunk to have a good time...ever heard the saying 'takes one to know one'? I am guessing you know all this because you witness it, right? I mean, that would be the logical thing to think. How else would you know all this?

And if I were someone of law enforcement who gives their time to work at Straight River Days and ensure the safety of the residents, I'd be appalled with your comments, saying "sherriffs posse sit around shooting the breeze with each other".

Seems to me like you think you can run it better and have all the answers. And for your information, flyers were sent out about 2 years ago to join the committee and help out, there have been ads in Cast, etc., so don't tell me that you've never been approached.

I have nothing else to say to you. I am embarrassed to have stooped down to your level but enough is enough. You crossed the line when you called my mother a "nimrod" and for that you should be ashamed. How dare you! Grow up. Good day to you.

By: budlight on 11/12/09
Im sorry if i upset the cart! but if should be quiet!!! I only say it because i dont want to be disrespectable. I think i will go have a cold one now,thanks to all the GOOD ONES that live in medford mn.

By: budlight on 11/12/09
hey newshound or boose hound lets hook up and start the canoe race again,we can call are boat the nimrod and go down stream.that is where we would be going.so grab your padle if you got one and get ready medford hear we come!!!! by the way,what makes you think im not close or even in youre back yard? not to worrey.im harmless.just a lot of fun.

By: quinn on 11/12/09
Down people! This is going down the river fast. Common sense should dictate that things like santa in the park and the parade cost money. If the dance generates revenue then a balance needs to be struck. If someone urinating in the bushes disturbs you, don't watch. If you have ideas on how to bring SRD up to snuff and bring it back period, voice it. It is going to take the effort of alot of people.

By: kadrmas21 on 11/12/09
News hound, take your opinion and stuff it. I have yet to figure folks like you out. Blaming the booze on everything. You know, there is a reason why it is called a STREET DANCE, you have to be 21 or older to even go to the thing. It is a cordoned off area outside the Muni, if folks want to drink to excess that is fine, as long as they do not cause destruction to property. The cases you are citing, are the exception to the rule rather than the norm for how people act even when they are plastered.

Here is a tip for you news hound, if you do not like the booze, do not go to the street dance then. Do not go down to the park later in the evening when people are drinking. I mean, have you ever heard of consenting adults? There are some folks like you that just love to blame everything on booze and people that consume booze.

Here is a tip for you news hound, instead of targeting folks like myself that drink and blaming us for everything evil, look at the issue at hand. Most of the days events at straight river days were/are family events. You act like people are thrashed around there all day long when that really is not the case.

Truth be told, it is not the alcohol consumption that has made straight river days go down hill and you know it. Alcohol has always been served at straight river days, people have always got drunk at straight river days, that is nothing new. So quit blaming booze and people that drink it!

By the way news hound, another point you were wrong about (you tend to be wrong about a lot of things, so that is not unusual but you really missed the mark on this one) the Steele County Sheriff's Office does a wonderful job patrolling Straight River Days. In fact they do such a wonderful job it is rare any trouble arises at Straight River Days. The posse do a great job keeping things under control. Basically, it is not illegal to be drunk in public as long as you are not causing trouble.

I am not condoning people yelling or pissing in bushes or whatever. However I will say, I would rather have people do that than driving around town drunk. Haters like you just amaze me. First you were complaining people were driving drunk too much so you stigmatized that and made the laws ridiculously tough to encourage people not to do that. At some point it became socially unacceptable not to do that and now you complain that people walk home drunk?

By: kadrmas21 on 11/12/09
I agree Quinn, people like news hound just need to be quiet. Again news hound, if you hate booze or hate drunks or people that drink than fine, dont go to the street dance, dont go to the muni. No one is forcing you. You are more than welcome not to go if you do not like it and go to an establishment or parade where there is not alcohol around. I mean whatever happened to people being responsible for their own lives? When did the prohibitionists decide they have the right to dictate what adults of legal age do? It is not illegal to consume alcohol if you are 21 or older the last I checked?

By the way news hound, you are mistaken when you act like drinking is something new in Medford. It has gone on there for a long, long time and people have always drank excessively at times and yes people when they are very intoxicated at times have a tendency to do and say stupid things. It happens. However I am not sure what you are talking about when you seem to be under the mistaken impression this stuff never used to go on?

By: centuryfarm on 11/13/09
Just be sure to leave your lawn sprinkler on next to your bushes and they'll pee somewhere else. Also, a street dance should have "volunteer" security personnel on golf carts patrolling the immediate area to prevent the problems listed above.