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Delano requests legacy funds for yearlong 150th celebration, seeks steam engine and programming support
Summary
Delano officials and the chamber asked the committee for assistance to support a yearlong sesquicentennial celebration in 2026, including bringing a historic steam engine to town and producing a commemorative book and calendar; a figure of $150,000 for a portion of costs was mentioned.
Representative McDonald presented House File 24‑71 seeking support for Delano’s sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) celebration spanning 2026. Testifiers described a yearlong slate of events intended to engage schools, businesses and regional visitors.
Michelle Dirks, chair of Delano’s sesquicentennial committee, outlined planned activities including an oral history project and a commissioned book of local stories, a mailed calendar of historical images, community art projects, a buy‑a‑brick program, and a main October celebration. Organizers emphasized honoring Native American heritage and regional attractions, and they said events could draw multi‑state attention.
Linda Althoff of the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce highlighted efforts to coordinate with rail organizations to bring a historic steam engine (the Milwaukee 261 was referenced generically) through Delano and noted the complexity of rail logistics. Representative McDonald referenced a potential $150,000 component of the budget tied to the steam engine and festival logistics.
No appropriation vote was recorded in the transcript.
Ending: Organizers asked the committee to consider funding to support multiple commemorative activities; the request will be considered in the committee’s legacy funding deliberations.
