by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
GARNER, IOWA – Garner held their 32nd Annual Duesey Days this past weekend, starting Friday and going through Sunday.
Duesey Days has quite a story behind it, starting with the brothers, Frederick Samuel Duesenber and August Samuel Duesenber in the 1880’s. They were born in Lippe, Germany, and brought to the United States in 1885 by their widowed mother. They were raised on a farm near Rockford, Iowa.
Fred opened a bicycle shop in Rockford and Augie opened one in Garner. Intrigued with the internal combustion engine, Fred and Augie built a small engine around 1900 and mounted it onto one of their bikes. It was their first motorized vehicle and it was exhibited at a show in Chicago. From there, their interest went towards automobile production, and racing them. Their first car was marketed as “The Fastest and Strongest Two-Cylinder Car in the World.”
Fred and Augie founded the Duesenberg Motor Co. in 1913 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their “Dueseys” were raced to victory at the Indy 500 in 1914, 1924, 1925 and 1927, and at the French Grand Prix in 1921.
In 1980, Garner started celebrating “Duesy Days” with a long list of fun events for people to enjoy, have fun and socialize. They had food vendors, a craft show and inflatables for both Friday and Saturday, with Saturday being “Wristband Day” for the inflatable rides.
Special events on Friday was Cow Chip Bingo, a joint fundraiser by Garner Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce, a pedal pull, Raiders of the Lost Art, the Little Miss Duesey Contest, sponsored by the Wa-tan-ye Club of Garner in conjunction with Garner Chamber of Commerce, the Little Mr. Duesey, sponsored by the Reliance State Bank of Garner, a pork loin dinner and a teen dance.
Six year-old Garner native Cassey Ross (pictured, courtesy of her mom), daughter of Jesse and Keri Ross, was a contestant in the Little Miss Duesey Day Pageant.
Keri said of her daughter, “I am really proud of her. She is a very shy little girl, but she wanted to do everything herself. I had no influence on her. She signed up and entered by herself. Since she is so shy, going out and competing in the pageant was a big accomplishment.” Cassey also participated in the Annual Duesey Days Parade on Saturday.
Saturday started with a 10K and 2M run, and throughout the day they had a car show, a parade, a beverage garden, kids’ water ball fights at the Fire Station, Summer Dance Dynamix Performance, a Bill Riley Competition, Bingo, sponsored by NIA Soccer Club, North Iowa Shrine Club Food Booth and Boogie & The YoYo’s performed at 8:00 pm.
Sunday there was a community worship, hosted by Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church.