Richfield
4th of July History
|
 |
| Howard Bunce |
|
|
The Richfield Fourth of July Celebration was an idea of Council Member Howard Bunce during his campaign for election in 1979.
"What Bunce envisioned was a day-long festival to increase community spirit and show that, people are concerned about Richfield and want t enjoy it." Take from an article written by Bob Ball on Wednesday, July 2, 1980, for the Sun Newspaper.
The first year's celebration in 1980 included a Fun Run & Walk and a parade with Olympian Steve Christoff as Grand Marshall. The parade started in the ice Arena parking lot, traveled on 66th west to Nicollet Ave and then south to Augsburg Park for an afternoon of entertainment. The evening entertainment was highlighted by Steve Wright's Big Band and concluded with the first annual fireworks display ($2,500) at Legion Lake (currently Veteran's Memorial Park).
The 1982 celebration included the first Miss Richfield competition with Debbie Klopp as Miss Richfield! City Council establishes guidelines for the Fourth of July Celebration committee.
In 1983 the fireworks display increased to $5,000 and was administered by American Fireworks Display Co.
In 1984 the Richfield Fourth of July committee becomes an incorporated and non-profit organization.
1986 includes Ned Kantar's Big Band featuring soloist Jim Mitchell. Jim Mitchell's performance has been one of the true memories of the celebration.
The 1987 celebration includes changing the parade route to begin at 70th St and Nicollet Ave, traveling north to 66th St and then east to Legion Lake Park. The fireworks display increases to $8,900. Legion Lake Park is renamed Veteran's Memorial Park.
The 10th annual celebration in 1989 was the first year that included a carnival and a five-day celebration. Serie Fun Shows was the vendor and this was the first year of a five-figure fireworks display ($10,000).
1990 saw the parade route change from Nicollet Ave to Lyndale Ave with teh thought that it would now include passing by Richfield Bank and Trust, the Hub Center, etc., which is kind of the "downtown" area of Richfield.
In 1991 morning rain showers gave way to the sun and a great parade to kick off the day's activities.
In 1993 the carnival was unfortunately canceled from the celebration.
1995 brought the Minnesota Orchestra to the Richfield celebration. This was sponsored by NW Bank of Minnesota.
1999 saw the former VFW 5555 Street Dance being turned over to the Fourth of July Committee and operated at Veteran's Memorial Park on July 3rd. Proceeds helped pay for the overall 4th of July celebration.
On Sunday, July 4th, 2004, Richfield celebrated the 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration. Howard's vision has truely become a reality.
In 2008, the City of Richfield celebrated it's 100th birthday. The Fourth of July Celebration followed in this celebration by also using the theme "From Farm to Future". The parade route was changed this year due to construction on 66th Street. It started on Nicollet as usual was instead of turning east on 66th, it turned east on 70th. Unique to this year's celebration was the unveiling of the Veteran's Memorial at Veteran's Park. For the first time 3 equal ambassadors and two equal junior ambassador were crowned.
In 2009 Richfield Celebrated the 30th annual Richfield Hometown 4th of July Celebration. In honor of Howard Bunce and his vision, his image was placed on the button for the year. New to this celebration was a discount card that came with each button. This entitled the button owner to amazing discounts as local businesses. The theme was Red, White, and Bike to encourage the city to go green and ride their bikes more. A new event called Battle of the Bands was added as part of Family Night. Thousands of people from all over came to cheer on bands as they competed. The winner was Uncle Grady's House of Sound.
|
Below is a little information about each celebration.
|
30th Anniversary of Richfield 4th of July - "Red, White & Bike"
2009 (30th ) Grand Marshalls- Erik "the Bike Man" & Penn Cycle
Committee: Melissa Barns - Chair, Ashley Gibbs, Deb Heinecke, Rick Jabs, Jodi Olson, Thuy Nguyen-Tran, Nancy Randolph, Pat Rickert, Katie Robison, Tom Rublein, Andrew Seffrood, Lin Shurtleff, Rob Shurtleff, City Liaisons: Lt. Mike Koob-Public Safety, Jim Topitzhofer - Kelly Mertes-Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks by Melrose Pyrotechnics North - $15,000
Richfield Ambassadors- Maria Carrillo, Katelin Freeman, & Emily Schnacky
Junior Ambassadors- Josephine Carson and Mindy Bolar
Carnival by MN Magic Midway
New Event: Battle of the Bands- Winner Uncle Grady's House of Sound
Street Dance Entertainment by The Underachievers
Total Income - $96,788.96
Total Expense - $94,753.91
|
100th Anniversary of Richfield - "From Farm to Future"
2008 (29th ) Descendances of the first settlers of Richfield
Marion Maxon
Mary Bartholomew
Marion Amundson
Committee: Melissa Barns, Chair, Ruthie George, Deb Heinecke, Rick Jabs, Veronica Noess, Daniel Randolph, Nancy Randolph, Richard Rhodes, Pat Rickert, Tom Rublein, Lin Shurtleff, Rob Shurtleff, City Liaisons: Lt. Mike Koob-Public Safety, Jim Topitzhofer - Kelly Mertes-Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks by Melrose Pyrotechnics North - $20,000
Richfield Ambassadors - Sara Flynn, Anna Case & Bounkeana Chun
Junior Ambassadors- Kate Dysart and Francia Figerioa
Carnival by MN Magic Midway
Special Event: Veteran’s Memorial Unveiling
Street Dance Entertainment by Jonah & The Whales
Total Income - $95,390.91
Total Expense - $117,922.84
|
|
Committee: Bob Houlton, Chair, Melissa Barnes, Bill Bullock, Ruthie George, Deb Heinecke, Rick Jabs, Veronica Noess, Dan Randolph, Nancy Randolph, Richard Rhodes, Pat Rickert, Tom Rublein, Maureen Scaglia, Bill Snyder, Lenny Swanson, City Liaisons: Lt. Mike Koob-Public Safety, Jim Topitzhofer-Kelly Mertes-Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks by Melrose Pyrotechnics North - $15,000
Miss Richfield - Ashley Gibbs
Richfield Princesses- Rachel Pytlak and Betsy Linehan-Skillings
Little Miss Richfield- Alyssa Harms
|
2006 (27th ) Best Buy Volunteers
Committee: Bob Houlton & Tom Rublein, Chair, Maureen Scaglia, Pat & Patricia Rickert, Tony Walske, Bill Bullock, Jodi Flanery-Olson, Bob Olson, Ruthie George, Bill Snyder, Public Safety, Jim Topitzhofer & Kelly Mertes & Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks by Melrose Pyrotechnics North - $15,000
Miss Richfield - Thuy Nguyen-Tran
Richfield Princesses- Cara Gorman and Caitlin Gerdes
Little Miss Richfield- Julia Wensahu
|
2005 (26th ) Richfield Chamber Of Commerce
Committee: Bob Holton & Tom Rublein, Chair, Maureen Scaglia, Jim Fleming, Pat & Patricia Rickert, Bill Snyder, Jennifer Swenson, Tony Walske, Bill Bullock, Jodi Flanery-Olson, Bob Olson, Ruthie George, Chris Friend, Public Safety, Jim
Topitzhofer & Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $15,000
Miss Richfield - No Coronation
|
2004 (25th ) Past 4th of July Presidents
Committee: Pat Rickert, Chair, John Hamilton, Tom Rublein, Maureen Scaglia, Jim Fleming, Doris Rubenstein, Patricia Rickert, Paul Black, Bill Snyder, Cece Flanery, Jennifer Swenson, Tony Walske, Bill Bullock, Jodi Flanery-Olson, Chris Friend, Mike Pafaolis, Public Safety, Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $18,000
Miss Richfield - Lindsay Waldron
Richfield Princesses- Melissa Sack & Phuong Tran
Little Miss Richfield- Michelle Murphy
|
|
Committee: Pat Rickert, Chair, Tom Rublein, John Hamilton, Maureen Scaglia, Jim Fleming, Doris Rubenstein, Patricia Rickert, Paul Black, Bill Snyder, Cece Flanery, Jennifer Swenson, Tony Walske, Public Safety, Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $15,000
Miss Richfield - Kari Metz
Richfield Princesses- Arianna Kerber and Hanah Tesfye
|
2002 (23rd) Richfield Police & Fire Fighters
Committee: Pat Rickert, Chair, Tom Rublein, John Hamilton, Tom Scaglia, Jim Fleming, Doris Rubenstein, Patricia Rickert, Paul Black, Bill Snyder, Cece Flanery, Jennifer Swenson, John Bjostad, Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $15,000
Miss Richfield - Lizzie Neisen
Richfield Princesses- Amber Gregg & Channa James
|
2001 (22nd) Youth of Richfield
Committee: John Bjostad, Chair, Jim Fleming, Tom Rublein, Pat & Patricia Rickert, Bill Snyder, John Hamilton, Debbie Leslie, Paul Black, Doris Rubenstein, CeCe Flanery, Patti Sterbuck, Jodi Flanery, Kevin Lehman, Public Safety, Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $15,000
Richfield Princesses- Melissa Olson and Erin Hankins
Little Miss Richfield- Michele Heinecke
|
2000 (21st) Jean Peterson
Committee: John Bjostad, Chair, Paul Black, Howard Bunce, Jim Fleming, Cece Flanery, Gary & Nancy Groen, Nancy Kilpeck, Debbie Leslie, Diane Rappe, Pat & Patricia Rickert, Doris Rubenstein, Tom Rublein, Aaron Rublein, Bill Snyder, Jenn Tome, Tom Winn, City Staff Liaison: Kevin Lehman, Public Safety, Frank White, Recreation Services.
Fireworks - $12,000
Miss Richfield - No Coronation
|
1999 (20th) Howard Bunce
Former City Council Member
& Originator of Richfield 4th of July
Committee: Cathy Sulla, Chair, Howard Bunce, Cece Flanery, John Bjostad, Tom Rublein, Debbie Leslie, Jim Fleming, Paul Black, Tom Winn, Nancy Kilpeck, City Staff Liaisons: Toy Vixavon, Public Safety, Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $12,000
Miss Richfield - Jennifer Swenson
Richfield Princesses- Stephanie Elliott and Liesel Larson
|
1998 (19th) Norman Grant
Local resident and WWII veteran.
Committee: Cathy Sulla, Chair, John Bjostad, Gary Groen, Paul Black, Cece Flanery, Nancy Kilpeck, Howard Bunce, Tom Winn, Susan Carlson-Lampe, Jennifer Eidsmo, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, PublicSafety, Frank White, Recreation Services
Fireworks - $12,000
Miss Richfield - Elizabeth Heimerl
Richfield Princesses- Victoria Czupryna and Odessa Simms
|
1997 (18th) Orville Freeman
Former Governor or Minnesota,
and Secretary of Agriculture
Committee: Gary Groen, Chair, Tome Scaglia, Cathy Sulla, Nancy Kilpeck, John Bjostad, Mitch Hadley, Judy Hadley, Tom Winn, Paul Black, Joe Carlson, Bob Houlton, Howard Bunce, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $12,000
Miss Richfield - Stacey Waldron
Richfield Princesses- Amy Peterson and Jennifer Boese
|
1996 (17th) McKinley Boston
Vice President for
Student Development & Athletics
Committee: Gary Groen, Chair, Jan Kispert, Howard Bunce, Jane Myre, Tom Scaglia, Bob Houlton, Joe Carlson, Mitch & Judy Hadley, Tom Winn, Paul Black, Nancy Kilpeck, Bob O’Brien, Steve Lindgren, Cathy Sulla, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $11,000
Miss Richfield - Jodi Flanery
Richfield Princesses- Allison Wiste and Jamie Patterson
|
1995 (16th) Lowell Larson & Dick Maas -
Retiring School Superintendent
& H. S. Principal
Committee: Gary Groen, Chair, Jan Kispert, Tom Scaglia, Jane Myre, Howard Bunce, Bob Houlton, Joe Carlson, Julie Weisbrod, Bill Holman, Mitchell Hadley, Judy Hadley, Tom Winn, Nancy Kilpeck, Warren Olson, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $11,000
Miss Richfield - Jennifer Reher
Richfield Princess- Heather Eidsmo
|
1994 (15th) Bill Kirshner
Committee: Gary Groen, Chair, Joanne Wilmes, Jane Myre, Jan Kispert, Tom Scaglia, Bob Houlton, Howard Bunce, Joe Carlson, Julie Weisbrod, Bill Holman, Jane Dusek, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $11,000
Miss Richfield - Cali Gaibor
Richfield Princesses- Tracy Stanchfield and Casey Herbert
|
1993 (14th) Historical Society
Committee: Paul Kaiser, Chair, Rodell Kopesky, Joanne Wilmes, Jan Kispert, Gary Groen, Bob Houlton, Howard Bunce, Karen Kopesky, Joe Carlson, Julie Weisbrod, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $11,000
Miss Richfield - Kara Murphy
Richfield Princesses- Andrea Lee and Brigette Myre
|
|
Committee: Paul Kaiser, Chair, Howard Bunce, Rodell Kopesky, Jim Schweitzer, Gary Groen, Clare Schweitzer, Lisa Grundstrom, Bob Houlton, Joe Carlson, George Karnas, Joanne Wilmes, Sharod Tolrud, Karen Kopesky, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $11,000
Miss Richfield - Jennifer Eidsmo
|
1991 (12th) Charles Lindberg
Richfield resident & Last living U.S. Marine
(one of five) who planted the American flag
over Iwo Jima.
Committee: Paul Kaiser, Chair, Howard Bunce, Rodell Kopesky, Jim Schweitzer, Gary Groen, Clare Schweitzer, Lisa Grundstrom, Bob Houlton, Joe Carlson, George Karnas, Joanne Wilmes, Sharod Tolrud, Karen Kopesky, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireqorks - $11,000
Miss Richfield - Karen Althen
|
1990 (11th) Michael Lynch
WCCO Radio Weatherman & Local Resident
Committee: Bob Houlton, Chair, Paul Kaiser, David Hook, Clare Schweitzer, Gary Groen, Jim Schweitzer, Joe Carlson, George Karnas, Karen Kopesky, Sharon Tolrud, Rodell Kopesky, Howard Bunce, Yvonne Anderson, Carole Rydell, Merv Becker, City Staff Liaisons: Tom Fitzhenry, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $10,000
Miss Richfield - Cathy Sulla
|
1989 (10th) Cindy Hilger
WCCO News Anchor & Richfield H.S. Grad
Committee: Bob Houlton, Chair, Howard Bunce, Dee Fielder, Gary Groen, Joe Carlson, George Karnas, Paul Kaiser, Carol Oksness, Yvonne Anderson, Carole Memmel, Cheryl Thurber, Buster Smith, Dennis Sohlstrom, John Kenealy, City Staff Liaisons: Jim Kunz & Steve Sutter, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $10,000
Miss Richfield - Elisa Holton
Princesses- Christine Hendrickson and Cindy Zubik
|
1988 (9th) Jennifer Tolrud
1988 Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes
Committee: Bob Houlton, Chair, Paul Kaiser, Howard Bunce, Joanne Wilmes, Ethel Naslund, Cheryl Thurber, Paula Ekstrand, Carole Memmel, Rollie Nelson, Barb Sharpe, Yvonne Anderson, John Hamilton, George Karnas, Lora Hauser, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $9400
Miss Richfield - Pam Twernbold
|
1987 (8th) Rev. Joe Head - Liberty Bell Promoter
Committee: Dick Swedean, Chair, Joyce Swedean, Howard Bunce, Carolyn Doeden, Rollie Nelson, Paula Ekstrand, Carole Memmel, Barb Sharpe, Ethel Naslund, Cheryl & Dan Thurber, Bob Houlton, Joanne Wilmes, Paul Kaiser, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services
Fireworks - $8900
Miss Richfield - Lisa Williams
|
1986 (7th) Franklin Hobbs - Twin City Radio Celebrity
Committee: Ethel Naslund, Chair, Carolyn Doeden, Paula Ekstrand, George Evans, Bob Houlton, Paul Kaiser, Carole Memmel, Dick & Joyce Swedean, Don & Cheryl Thurber, Joanne Wilmes, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services, Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $5970
Miss Richfield - Jennifer Tolrud
|
1985 (6th) Charles Lindberg - Richfield War Veteran
Committee: Paul Kaiser, Chair, Sharon Kosek, Theresa Kassa, Bob Houlton, Paula Ekstrand, Ethel Naslund, Carolyn Doeden, Carole Memmel, George Evans, Ron Kassa, Joanne Wilmes, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services, Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $5400
Miss Richfield - Angela Sypnieski
|
1984 (5th) Teresa Thom - 1983 Miss Richfield
Committee: Paul Kaiser, Chair, Ethel Naslund, Joanne Wilmes, Sharon Kosek, George Evans, Bob Houlton, Carole Memmel, Arnie Odefey, Joe Menning, Theresa Kassa, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $5400
Miss Richfield - Becky DeWald
|
1983 (4th) ??
Long time residents - Honoring Richfield History
Committee: Ethel Naslund, Chair, Tim Lindgren, Joanne Wilmes, Paul Kaiser, Carol Lindgren, Ron Jelmo, George Evans, Bob Houlton, Stuart Swanson, Carole Memmel, Theresa Kassa, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services, Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $5000
Miss Richfield - Teresa Thom
|
1982 (3rd)
Committee: Ethel Naslund, Chair, Bob Houlton, Ron Jelmo, Stuart Swanson, Joanne Wilmes, George Lais, George Evans, Carole Memmel, Tim Lindgren, Terrill Anderson, Jerry Kamprud, Doug Waller, Jim Wilcox, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services, Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $3000
Miss Richfield - Debbie Klop
|
1981 (2nd) Bob Lurtsema
Minnesota Viking Football Player
Committee: Ethel Naslund, Chair, Bob Houlton, Ron Jelmo, Stuart Swanson, Joanne Wilmes, George Lais, George Evans, Carole Memmel, Tim Lindgren, Terrill Anderson, Jerry Kamprud, Doug Waller, Jim Wilcox, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services, Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $3000
Miss Richfield -
|
1980 Steve Christoff -
U.S. Olympic Hockey Player / Resident
Committee: Richard Christi, VFW, Jerry Kamprud, Optimist Club, Stuart Swanson, Ron Jelmo, Peter Heinrich, Bob Houlton, Terrill Anderson, J.C..s, Ethel Naslund, West Girls Softball, Arnold Odefey, West Girls Softball, Carole Memmel, Joanne Wilmes, Mike Freeman, City Staff Liaisons: Bob Doeden, Public Safety, Frank White, Community Services, Howard Bunce, City Council
Fireworks - $2500
Miss Richfield -
|
|