The Superior Express -

An abundance of sunflowers leads to Burr Oak's Sunflower Daze

Sunflowers keep popping up in Burr Oak since residents began preparing for the town's 150th anniversary celebration in June. With all the sunflowers in town, it was decided to continue the fun with a special Sunflower Daze, Saturday.

There are now more than 100 hand- crafted sunflowers all over Burr Oak. They can be spotted in front of buildings and houses and along the fence that runs north of the former high school and elementary building on Main Street. New street signs along the Main Street will feature sunflowers.

Part of the funds raised from one of the Saturday garage sales will go towards the "Raising the Roof" project to put a new roof on the historic limestone building which for years served as a school building. Now the it is on the National Historical Register list, and is presently where the museum is stationed.

If anyone would like to mail in donations towards the "Raising the Roof" project, they can mail their donation to the City of Burr Oak, Box 22.

The Sunflower Daze will kick off with craft booths and garage sales opening at 8 a.m. at the museum and library grounds, one block east of the Main Street, (Highway 128) which runs through Burr Oak. The booths and sales will close at 5 p.m. Homemade fried pies and baggies filled with seasoned sunflower seeds will be available throughout the day. There will be a face painting location on the grounds. A Field of Sunflowers, will be located in Veteran's Park along Main Street, where numerous created metal yard art sunflowers and sunflower bouquetswill be available to view and purchase.

Another highlight of the day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will be the Semisarus Mobile Museum. It will be stationed on the museum and library grounds. According to the operator of the museum, "This semi trailer is a mobile creation museum that gives people of all ages answers and evidence through realistic displays. It provides facts on the creation and takes the evolution debate head on." It is a self guided audio tour with a Biblical perspective. There is no charge to take the tour. Funds were raised through private donations to bring this museum to Burr Oak. This mobile museum was recently at the Nebraska State Fair and at Kool Aid Days in Hastings. Featured will be dinosaurs, Egyptian artifacts, Ice Age information, and a 12 1/2 foot alligator.

A food stand will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the museum and library grounds. Andrew Babson, local Eagle Scout, have his food stand there. Babson's food stand will later be moved to the Faidley Park, Main Street, and will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. He will be joined by others from the Boy Scout Troop 46. Funds from these two food stands go towards Babson's Eagle Scout Project which is putting a gazebo on the museum and library grounds.

The cafe in Burr Oak and the Lil Craft Shop located in the next building south of the cafe building will be open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

A dance, 8 p.m. to midnight, will be held in the Faidley Park area with music provided by DJ Ed Bridwell. A beer garden will be open in Faidley Park and funds will go towards "# Mattie Strong".

Planners of Sunflower Daze are Amy Reed, Renita Volker and Julie McEntee, all of Burr Oak.