A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Although the Chicken Swap includes much more than poultry, there were a number of chickens in attendance last Saturday.
Last Saturday the annual Chicken Swap was held at Carlton’s Four Seasons complex parking lot. Although the weather was a bit chilly, many local community members set up booths to trade or sell their chickens, goats, rabbits, puppies, kittens and homemade goodies. Hundreds of people came out to check out the animals, and maybe add to their menagerie at home. Shoppers could also purchase maple syrup, honey, baked goods and homemade items. If you missed this Chicken Swap, there will be another one Sept. 28. See you then.
The Chicken Swap started out by the Carlton Feed Mill, which was located in my neighborhood at the end of South Avenue in Carlton. Vendors would set up their trailers, cars and cages side by side, just like they do now. I am not sure how long the event has been held, but I think at least 20 years.
I stopped at the Carlton County Historical Society to see if they had any information on when the first event was held, but was unable to find when it started and who started it. The precursor to the Chicken Swap may have been the Cabbage Festival held on a Saturday in November of 1947 at the Carlton High School. As reported in the Nov. 28 issue of the Carlton County Vidette, the roads were slippery and the weather could have been better. Almost 1,000 people attended the festival and had their fill of cabbage “baggers,” spuds and ham.
There was a program with speakers, an orchestra and a KDAL radio broadcast 8-8:30 p.m. for families who could not attend the festival. We can only guess that maybe it would be better to have an event that included vegetables in early fall and spring. If there is someone who knows more about Chicken Swap history, contact me at [email protected] or 218-310-6065. I would be glad to write a followup story.
Harold’s Fiasco Pancake Breakfast was also held this past weekend at the Four Seasons complex. This fundraiser is for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and served more than 760 community members, families and people from the surrounding area. I can tell you that the pancakes were great, and the conversation with other attendees was very nice. Mark your calendars for the last weekend in April 2020.
Following is a listing of other upcoming Carlton events.
Carlton VFW Post 2962, 124 Chestnut Ave.
Enjoy bingo every Wednesday, starting at 6:30 p.m., and the meat raffle every Friday at 6 p.m.
The weekly money drawing is held 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
VFW Auxiliary meets the second Monday of the month.
VFW meeting is held the last Tuesday of the month.
Upcoming music includes: May 10, Music by Common Ground, 8 p.m.-12 a.m .; May 24, DJ/karaoke at 7:30 p.m.Contact the Carlton VFW for more information, 218-384-3794.
South Terrace Elementary School
May 9 - School Readiness Transportation Night, 5:30-7 p.m., taco supper available.
May 14 – Spring music concert, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Carlton High School
May 11 – Fundraiser/mattress sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Carlton High School
May 16 – Band concert, 7 p.m., Carlton High School
May 17 – Carlton Community Cleanup: Carlton students will be raking and cleaning up the city and community members’ yards. This service is for people who live within the city limits. Call Leola Rodd at 218-310-6065 for more information.
May 24 – Graduation, 7 p.m.
May 31 – Last day for students. Have a great summer!
Oldenburg House Arts & Cultural Community
Document Spring – guided nature safaris
May 10 – Jay Cooke State Park
May 11 – Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center
May 18 – Picnic at Oldenburg Point, Jay Cooke State Park
May 31 – Document Spring ends
Arts and music
May 9 – Magnolia Salon features Adam Swanson, Cloquet oil painter
May 10 & 11 – Cookin’ at the O with Pippi Ardennia
May 17 – Juli Wood, Finlandia Foundation National 2018 Performer of the Year Contact www. oacc.us for more information and tickets.
Other Carlton events
Inter-Faith Care Center church services – Tuesdays, 3:15 p.m. ecumenical service; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Mass.
Four Seasons complex meeting – Wednesday, May 15, Four Seasons Arena
Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce – meetings held on the first Wednesday of the month at noon at the Four Seasons.
Mark your calendars for Carlton Daze, July 26, 27 and 28!
If anyone has a special community event in Carlton or a special person that should be recognized, please contact Leola Rodd at 218-310-6065 or [email protected].
