[0:09] [Music] [0:12] [Applause] [0:13] [Music] [0:16] Welcome to another conversations in [0:18] South St. Paul. I am Mayor Jimmy Francis [0:20] of the city of South St. Paul, the [0:22] center of the universe, and I am with [0:24] the heartbeat of South St. Paul, Steve [0:27] Manowski. Welcome, Steve. [0:28] >> Welcome. Good morning. How are you? [0:30] >> Great. [0:30] >> Great. [0:30] >> Can you tell me how many years you've [0:32] been in South St. Paul or connected to [0:33] South St. Paul before we get started? [0:35] >> Connected to South St. Paul. I was a [0:36] graduate of 1970 and from South St. [0:39] Paul. So, and then um started my little [0:42] business. I was I worked there at the [0:45] high school. Um and I never found a job. [0:48] This was it. So, [0:49] >> you stayed where right there. [0:51] >> So, we're working on 50 years here next [0:53] year. So, [0:54] >> unbelievable. [0:54] >> It's been fun. Yeah. [0:55] >> Uh met a lot of people. The people in [0:57] South St. Paul are great and that's [0:59] that's a great town to to have a [1:01] business small business [1:03] >> and to be in 50 years and still be [1:06] around is is something uh to brag about. [1:10] So [1:10] >> absolutely and you know you can't we [1:12] can't forget you know Inenver Grove [1:14] where you live you were also a big [1:15] supporter over there you got a lot of [1:16] customer [1:17] >> I'm a supporter of Inenver Grove also so [1:19] >> but my heart is in South St. Paul so [1:21] >> yeah that's most most of us. So before [1:23] we get started, I always like to ask [1:25] people a little bit so that the [1:27] listeners know or learn a little bit [1:28] more about Steve Manowski. So what's [1:31] your favorite music, your favorite band? [1:33] If I would, if you're going to put [1:34] something on, what's playing in Steve's [1:35] card today? [1:36] >> Uh I'd like WDGY, believe it or not, [1:39] because I'm from the ' 60s, 70s, and [1:41] 80s, and they have great music. So I'm a [1:44] WDGY guy. [1:45] >> WDGY. I love it. Yeah. So what's your [1:48] favorite sports team? My favorite sports [1:50] team, believe it or not, is the [1:52] Minnesota Twins. So, I mean, I have a a [1:55] granddaughter that's playing for the um [1:57] 14 years old playing for the Minnesota [1:58] Ice out there in in Farmington, and [2:02] she's been she's been even in Budapest, [2:04] Hungary, playing ball last summer. So, I [2:07] mean, she's having a good time. And then [2:09] I have another granddaughter that's 16 [2:11] years old, and I think she's either [2:13] going to be a lawyer or politician. [2:15] She's leaning that way. So, I got two [2:17] smart granddaughters. So, [2:18] >> it's great. And and the twins are your [2:20] favorite. [2:21] >> Yeah. Right now. Yeah. [2:22] >> Yeah. Right. [2:23] >> Even though I I'm don't agree with what [2:25] they were what they did already, but [2:27] >> Yeah. That's that's a whole another [2:29] podcast. And so, I You're busy. You've [2:31] got festivals you do. You're volunteer [2:33] for everything. What do you do in your [2:35] free time? If Steve's going to put the [2:37] schedule together, what is it? [2:38] >> I like to sit in my backyard and have a [2:40] bruski once in a while. And uh I do like [2:43] gardening. I do love that. So, I a lot [2:46] of tomato plants and stuff. Oh, yeah. [2:49] Gardening and just relaxing in the [2:51] evening and sitting in the dark with a [2:53] little candle. [2:54] >> Yeah. [2:54] >> Kind of listening for weird things out [2:57] there. [2:58] >> Simple a simple [2:59] >> simple things. Yes. [3:00] >> I love it. So, for those that don't know [3:02] about it, what is on the road again [3:05] festival? It's a It's a fall festival [3:08] with me and Walt started about third I [3:10] think it is 38 years ago and uh was just [3:13] a little block party that's gotten out [3:15] of control and now we're doing the side [3:17] streets and that and uh it was kind of [3:21] really weird. We did a car show in the [3:22] first year. We only had 10 cars. It was [3:24] kind of disappointing. And then Walt for [3:27] some I don't know how he ever did it but [3:29] out in Vegas he found uh Tony Bus and [3:33] the Country Cousins and they came to [3:35] town and they played for a couple years [3:38] and stuff like that. I think uh Tony Bus [3:41] sold about 54 albums. So, I mean, he had [3:44] some albums out there, but [3:46] >> but you know, he ne never really uh [3:50] never really uh got really big or [3:52] anything that we always we always said [3:53] that that we had to go get him from Las [3:55] Vegas and he was always booked and [3:58] everything. We made sure that the first [4:00] Saturday in October that he would [4:04] arrive. So, and it it's changed now and [4:07] now we're getting into the music has [4:09] changed as the years go by and stuff [4:11] like that. And and now it's uh it's a [4:14] huge success. [4:15] >> Yeah, it is. And it's always the first [4:17] weekend in October. [4:18] >> Yep. And this week, this year it's CB [4:20] day, truckers be 104. So, it should be [4:23] easy to remember. So, but uh yeah, it's [4:27] a lot of fun. It's a lot of work. I'm on [4:29] the board for Caposia days. I kind of [4:32] take two weeks off and then I go on [4:34] there. I've been president of Caposia [4:36] Days three times and I've been on the [4:38] board for 31 years, I guess. So, [4:41] >> yeah, [4:42] >> once I'm once I'm on there, it's hard to [4:44] get rid of me, I guess. So, but [4:46] >> Well, and and you show up. That's that's [4:48] the thing about Steve Manowski. Steve [4:50] shows up and if you need volunteers, [4:51] you'll find them. [4:52] >> Yep. That's that's for sure. I hope so. [4:54] >> Yeah. Well, so the festival in my [4:56] lifetime, uh, it started because the the [4:59] road was down and, uh, construction and [5:01] then you all the business people got [5:03] together and said, "Hey, we need to get [5:04] the show on the road again." Yeah. [5:05] >> And and get business back down here. So [5:08] that's how it really started way back [5:09] when. [5:10] >> That was an easy thing to, you know, [5:12] event to say on the road again because [5:14] we just put everything on the road. So [5:16] >> And so when when that happened back [5:18] then, different business district, times [5:20] have changed, a lot of different things [5:21] have happened throughout the years on [5:23] Selfie Boulevard. Yep. And fast forward [5:25] to a couple of years ago, it happened [5:27] again where we had to displace you for a [5:30] whole summer. Yep. [5:31] >> And the business climate changed. Did [5:33] that did because there's not as many [5:36] that there used to be on Southview [5:37] Boulevard of businesses, but so did that [5:40] change how on the road again happened or [5:43] is it did it get did did the business [5:46] community change just doesn't matter to [5:49] the festival? [5:49] >> It really doesn't matter. You know, I [5:51] mean, the the community or the merchants [5:54] and that are very good about supporting [5:57] it financially. I mean, it's around the [6:00] 12 $14,000 to put it on for that day. I [6:03] mean, you have porta bodies, you have [6:06] licenses and stuff and, you know, even [6:08] the state of Minnesota gets in with the [6:10] Department of Health and Department of [6:12] Agriculture. So, yeah. [6:13] >> Yeah. Yeah. For sure. And you manage all [6:15] of that and you've managed all of that [6:17] for 37 years. [6:18] >> That is correct. [6:20] What is that like? Is that a huge [6:22] responsibility and a pressure on you? Or [6:24] do you Is it just Steve and we just do [6:26] what we do? [6:27] >> That's we do what we do. So I don't p I [6:30] don't panic. I don't I don't get [6:31] stressed out or anything like that. And [6:34] even the day of we try to get everything [6:36] set up the week before so I can kind of [6:39] relax and if there's any things that [6:41] come up that we don't expect, we can fix [6:44] them right away. So yes. [6:46] >> And over the 37 years it's been rain or [6:48] shine, right? Correct. There there's no [6:50] cancelling. Has there ever been a [6:51] cancelled on the road again? [6:52] >> No, we have never. We had snow one year. [6:54] I think we had an inch and a half and [6:56] stuff like that and everybody. So why [6:57] don't you have it a lot earlier? Well, [7:00] >> it's a fall festival and it is in the [7:02] fall. So October's fall to me. So [7:04] >> yeah. And that I think if you would to [7:06] ever think about changing it or even [7:08] back in the beginning stages of it to [7:10] change the dates, I think you would have [7:12] a far different festival than you have [7:14] today because it's it is the [7:16] quintessential fall event. Yep. [7:19] >> Generally, it's the last car show of the [7:21] year and it's just everybody's packing [7:23] up and I and there's a lot of uh [7:25] Christmas stuff. You can do Christmas [7:27] shopping. We have over a 100 arts and [7:29] craft vendors and the car show went from [7:32] 10 the first year to over 200 now. So, [7:35] we're doing side streets and uh [7:38] unfortunately [7:40] um the duck races have been cancelled [7:42] this year because they just can't get [7:44] enough volunteers to do this. [7:46] >> Yeah. And I don't ask for any volunteers [7:48] or help until probably 3 weeks before [7:51] the event. And that way if I ask them in [7:54] July that they've got a couple months to [7:57] figure out an excuse not to help. But [7:59] >> but we uh so we do it about 3 weeks. Uh [8:02] you get there at 7:00 and by 9:30 it's [8:05] up and running all by itself. Y [8:07] >> and we've been very fortunate that I [8:10] have really a lot of um people that I [8:13] know that [8:14] >> say yeah they don't turn me down. So [8:16] >> Right. And is it a old lore or is it [8:19] true? You can tell us right now that uh [8:21] weeks before the event you always write [8:23] a little check to all the churches and [8:24] ask if you pray for good weather. [8:26] >> I do that September 13th on the and yeah [8:30] September 13th. I don't care if it's a [8:32] Friday or not. and 13 CH churches get [8:35] $20 a piece praying for good weather. [8:38] And the one year I didn't do it, it [8:40] rained cats and dogs. So, I'm a firm [8:43] believer that guy up there. Yep. [8:46] >> Helps us out. [8:47] >> Yeah, absolutely. I'm I'm right there [8:48] with you. Now, as you think about um [8:51] this started in the beginning, was it [8:54] based around your shop there at South [8:55] View 66 and and and because it's grown [8:58] all the way from 12th to fourth, right? [9:01] Or third [9:02] >> right now. Yeah. Jack Lee now has her [9:04] eye on the street thing which is [9:06] >> chalk art. [9:06] >> Chalk art which has been very [9:08] successful. I kind of a little bit about [9:11] it but uh it's very successful. She's [9:14] got people coming up from Iowa for God's [9:16] sakes to help out here and and do it and [9:20] you go down there and it's unbelievably [9:23] it's just unbelievable the talent that [9:25] that's around [9:26] >> and it all goes washes away when it's [9:29] all gone. Y it's an amazing talent and [9:32] amazing [9:33] >> for that small moment of time that we [9:35] get to experience it and watch those [9:37] artists [9:38] >> do that chalk art [9:39] >> and they do it in such a hurry. I mean [9:41] it's not the night before or anything [9:43] like that. It's uh they're there and [9:46] then within an hour or two it's done. [9:49] Unbelievable. [9:50] >> And then people get to enjoy it and [9:51] watch it. [9:52] >> Yep. So, all of the years, all of the [9:54] people, all of the, you know, the ups [9:56] and downs, do you have a favorite memory [9:59] when maybe somebody visited? I know you [10:01] talked about the early band, but is [10:03] there is there anything that taps in [10:05] your mind of a past time that was like [10:08] that was pretty interesting? Well, I [10:10] used to kind of wrestle in the in the [10:12] squared circle for and I knew Jesse Vera [10:14] and I think he was I know he was running [10:17] for governor then and he he happened to [10:20] show up and uh he doesn't like Booya but [10:23] he he came in and that was really good. [10:26] And we've uh had Henry Boucher and he [10:28] signed some autographs and stuff. He was [10:30] played for the Minnesota North or Wild I [10:33] guess and he played for the Detroit Red [10:35] Wings. So, I mean, so we've had a couple [10:38] nice guests and stuff like that. So, [10:39] >> yeah, you've had some celebrity judges [10:42] and so forth. A lot of political people [10:44] because it is right before the political [10:47] season. So, you've cycles of those have [10:49] come through. Any memorable there? [10:51] >> Um, [10:53] not really. Um, [10:58] probably [11:00] you were Humphrey's wife. He was a judge [11:02] one year. So, and that was really kind [11:04] of nice. Kind of cool. [11:05] >> Yeah. really cool. All the the local [11:07] legends there. Well, we've you've asked [11:09] me to help and I've made some calls out. [11:11] We've got a few um chefs who are going [11:13] to help us this year, be judges, a few [11:16] celebrities, so to speak. And so, I [11:18] don't know if we want to talk about the [11:19] ones that we've invited and the ones [11:21] that are coming, but the Booya is a [11:23] contest that's within On the Road again. [11:26] >> Correct. We decided, me and Walt decided [11:28] to have the two combined and it would be [11:30] a lot a better event and which it is and [11:34] a a successful event. Uh it's very [11:37] competitive. [11:38] >> It is [11:38] >> and we get 8 to 10 and now we're [11:42] expecting maybe 12 or something like [11:44] that where so we're [11:46] >> that cooking. Yep. They start at 7 [11:49] o'lock at night and they cook all night [11:51] long and [11:52] >> and none of them drink beer. They're all [11:54] They're all sober, you know. [11:55] >> Sure. But [11:56] >> and that's fun. They start serving at [11:58] 11:00 and there's probably maybe 8 [12:01] to,200 gallons and unbelievable, it's [12:04] gone by 1:30, 2:00. [12:06] >> It is [12:07] >> just It's just unbelievable. [12:09] >> And so people can expect to start coming [12:11] at 9 in the morning. [12:13] >> Correct. Y [12:13] >> and they won't get booyah yet. They can [12:15] come down. They'll smell that aroma. [12:17] They'll go look at the teams. They'll [12:18] talk to the teams because the teams are [12:20] out there trying to [12:21] >> get people to get ready to try their [12:23] Booya. That starts, the Booya starts at [12:25] 11:00. Serving [12:26] >> serving is at 11. Judging is at 2 2:00. [12:30] We also have pickles and that that's [12:34] been a kind of a a weird thing. I mean, [12:36] they're you got to have homemade pickles [12:39] and they have to be cucumbers. It can't [12:40] be watermelon or beans or anything like [12:43] that. They have to be pickles. They can [12:46] be hot pickles, dill pickles, sweet [12:48] pickles, and then we judge also at at [12:51] 2:00 in the in the afternoon. So, it's [12:54] uh it's fun. They get a trophy. We can't [12:57] unfortunately because of rules that we [13:00] can't financially give them any money, [13:02] but [13:03] >> bragging rights. [13:04] >> Yeah. And it's bragging rights. And and [13:07] we, believe it or not, have as many as [13:10] 35 different pickles. I I believe it [13:13] because I am a pickle judge and I sat [13:16] next to one of the best pickle judges [13:18] for a few years which was Mr. [13:20] >> Voyage [13:21] >> and he would tell you like it is when it [13:24] came to a pickle. He would call it an [13:26] ass pickle. Throw it out. Don't even [13:28] bother with that one. [13:29] >> One thing you can't swallow. You can't [13:31] spit it out. You got to you got to [13:33] >> got to eat it. [13:33] >> You got to suffer. [13:34] >> I'll never forget the year that uh we [13:36] had the pickles judges. We're doing the [13:38] judging and this woman came up and said, [13:41] "How did mine do?" We said, "We don't [13:43] know. They're all, you know, whatever." [13:44] You know, so she said, "Well, mine was [13:46] this number." And so we said, "No, that [13:48] was a terrible that I that was a [13:50] terrible pickle." And she goes, "Oh, [13:52] I've never made them before." And so I [13:54] thought I'd put some in. And I said, [13:55] "You didn't even taste your pickles [13:57] before you put them in for a contest?" [13:59] And she didn't. She's like, "No, I just [14:00] put them in." And I'm like, "Well, no [14:02] wonder you didn't win anything." Yep. [14:03] >> So, the ones that win tend to be those [14:06] tried and trueue pickle recipes that [14:08] have go on and on. [14:10] >> Sure. Grandma's recipe and stuff like [14:12] that. So, yeah. [14:13] >> And that's fun. And you get some [14:14] celebrities there, too. You get [14:15] ambassadors from Caposia Days. You get [14:18] um Angie Craig Winter Carnival. That's [14:20] more of a fun [14:22] >> fun thing. The Booya is really serious [14:23] and it's become more serious. [14:24] >> It's become really serious. So, and it's [14:26] the World Championship Booya. [14:28] >> Yeah. [14:29] >> Yep. It's fun. [14:30] >> It is fun. So tell us a little more [14:32] about what else is happening that uh [14:34] that day because again it starts at [14:35] 9:00. People can come and craft and they [14:37] can get pork chops on a stick and they [14:40] can get pickles and whatever else. [14:42] Right. What else is down there? [14:43] >> We will have probably 15 or maybe more [14:46] food trucks. So I mean and it's quite a [14:48] variety. I try to make sure there's only [14:51] one mini donut guy or one cheese guy. I [14:54] don't want any duplicates. And so there [14:56] it's kind of like the state fair. The [14:58] car show, like I said, is is uh put on [15:01] by the Medallions, and they've done this [15:04] for quite a few years. And uh it just [15:06] was I met [15:08] a long time ago. I I just met the owner [15:11] that was running the medallions, and uh [15:13] I asked him if he'd kind of help me out [15:15] cuz 10 cars wasn't doing it. Yeah. [15:18] >> And we used to have a petting zoo, but [15:19] we've had some um issues with [15:23] >> with uh I would say agriculture and and [15:27] co came around and [15:28] >> that kind of killed a few things. So [15:31] >> changed it just like the duck race, you [15:33] know, kind of ran its course uh with [15:35] within the festival. But let's go back [15:36] to the car show. So the car shows run [15:38] independently as well. Yes. [15:39] >> So you you worked with them, but they [15:41] don't they don't pay you. You don't pay [15:43] them. [15:43] >> I do pay them. [15:44] >> You pay them. Okay. And so they give [15:46] trophies out and they give an award out [15:47] or a cash prize. [15:49] >> Yep. [15:49] >> Okay. So if I'm a car guy, how do do I [15:52] just drive up and say I want to put my [15:53] car in? [15:54] >> Correct. You drive up the day of. So um [15:57] and because a lot of people the weather, [15:59] you never know. And and they don't want [16:02] to. It's I think it's $10 to get in. [16:04] >> It is. [16:05] >> And uh for some reason $10 means a lot [16:08] to some of these people. [16:10] >> Yeah. Some some of these cars are 30 [16:13] $40,000. Oh, [16:14] >> the paint jobs on them are unbelievable. [16:16] And they sit next to my car, my 53 [16:18] Oldsmobile, which is just a garage find, [16:21] right? That [16:22] >> and I, you know, we put it out there [16:23] every year just cuz it's a cool car and [16:25] fun for people to go look at and [16:26] question, you know, cuz it's it's kind [16:28] of a rat rod. There's different pieces [16:29] to it. [16:30] >> And your headlights work now. So, [16:31] >> my headlights work. Yeah. [16:33] >> Over at South 66. Yeah. [16:36] >> So, yeah. And the South St. Paul Lions [16:38] will have their beer garden. [16:40] >> Yep. [16:40] >> And they are selling raffle tickets. [16:42] It's um $10 for the raffle ticket and um [16:48] first prize is $1,000. The second prize [16:50] is 700 and the third prize is 300. The [16:54] drawing will be held during the Booya [16:56] contest and and the uh also with the [17:00] pickles too. So we between that. So [17:02] >> and all that happens essentially on the [17:05] main stage which is in the all state [17:07] parking lot at the in the in the open [17:10] parking lot. There's usually a stage set [17:12] up. Sometimes there's tents, but that's [17:13] where the all the Booya tents go around [17:16] that park. [17:16] >> The Booya is 820 Southview Boulevard to [17:18] be [17:18] >> 820 Southview Boulevard. [17:20] >> And then this year we have uh Midwest [17:23] Fence has donated the uh band this year [17:25] and Vivian Hayes is going to play from I [17:28] think 11 to 4. So [17:30] >> that's a long time. [17:31] >> That's a long time. But we got we got [17:33] about an hour break because of this [17:35] judging and stuff like that. So yeah, [17:36] >> he can go have a Coca-Cola and a pork [17:39] chop on his stick. [17:40] >> So this is the conversations in South [17:42] St. Paul. Someone might just just pop [17:44] this on on Spotify and you know just [17:46] learned about on the road again. And so [17:48] they're the first time person coming. [17:51] Where should they go and where should [17:52] they park to be able to come into the [17:55] festival? [17:55] >> You have to park on the side streets and [17:57] sometimes you got to park two, three [17:59] blocks away. We have that many people. I [18:01] think we have 11 thousand 11 to 12,000 [18:05] people that show up for this event and [18:07] which is [18:09] >> makes my heart go good because I you [18:11] know you work so hard for it and you [18:13] want it to be successful and it is [18:15] successful [18:16] >> and you just kind of feel good about [18:17] yourself. [18:18] >> Yeah. And a day like today would be [18:21] a nice uh cool warm nice breeze, sun's [18:24] out um and usually that's that's the [18:26] weather that we get in that first [18:28] October. Sometimes there's some sleet [18:29] and rain like you talked about. [18:31] >> Yeah. From uh little Elco Speedway, we [18:33] have the little cars now for kids and [18:35] they they're going to not going to be [18:37] running uh because of insurance things, [18:39] but your your son or your daughter can [18:43] sit in it and you can take some pictures [18:44] with them and in their cool cars. [18:47] >> Yeah. That that's the kind of thing I [18:48] always thought about as a kid and my [18:50] whole life coming through this. Um, you [18:52] have events and things that get families [18:56] out to explore just right here in town [18:58] and you you brought these guys up from [19:00] Elco I think last year two years ago and [19:02] I saw them and I thought brilliant. You [19:04] have and you have these people who are [19:06] racing these cars who tell and they're [19:07] young people as well. [19:08] >> They're kids I think 12 years old and [19:11] you're out. So [19:12] >> yeah and they're explaining to other [19:13] kids how they could get into this and [19:14] it's just you can see the imagination [19:16] going on and how excited people are. And [19:18] we're going to and we're going to have a [19:20] bass boat again this year where the the [19:22] kids can cast into a five gallon pail. [19:24] If they hit the pail, they'll get a [19:26] little uh lure of some sort and stuff [19:28] like that. So So there'll be some [19:29] prizes. We also have inflatables and we [19:33] have uh a little train ride so the kids [19:36] can go tour [19:37] >> Yeah. [19:38] >> down the street and everything. And [19:40] >> yeah, it's a great time. [19:41] >> You have craft vendors that are [19:43] residents who this is what they do. They [19:45] they create they find all their crafts [19:47] all year long. They buy their booth from [19:49] you. They get their number. They go down [19:52] and they sell their wares. And anybody [19:53] can do that, right? [19:54] >> Correct. Yes. Yep. We have [19:58] 40 spots that we have and we're almost [20:00] full. So, we have a lot of people that [20:02] >> sign up for the next year. I mean, they [20:05] go it's kind of like going to a cabin. I [20:07] want to make my [20:08] >> reservations. Yep. Reservations for next [20:10] year. So, we have a few people that do [20:12] that. So, [20:12] >> yeah. It's a It's an annual literally an [20:15] annual tradition for thousands of [20:17] people. [20:17] >> Yes. [20:18] >> Along houses along there. I've been I've [20:20] already been invited to two house [20:22] parties on the street. One's on the [20:23] south, one's on the north or east and [20:25] west, I guess it would be for Selfie [20:27] Boulevard [20:28] >> where they host all of their friends, [20:30] their co-workers. They don't provide [20:32] them parking. They just say, "You got to [20:33] get to our house and then we're having [20:34] we're having stuff for after." And and [20:36] at 5:00 you close down, right? It's [20:39] done. And by 6:30, you don't know [20:42] anything happened. [20:43] >> Yeah. Street gets back opened. Yep. [20:45] >> Traffic starts flowing again. [20:46] >> Yep. [20:47] >> People are home excited. Now, one of the [20:49] other [20:49] >> tired. Some of them are [20:50] >> very tired. One of the other things I [20:52] love cuz I I didn't just as we talk [20:53] about it, I see the the visuals of the [20:56] wagons with people who put their either [20:58] with kids or no kids, but they put their [21:01] chairs in there. They bring their Booya [21:03] pots, their their own crockot so that [21:05] they can taste a bowl and then go buy a [21:07] pot from somebody. That's that's an [21:09] annual tradition for people, too. [21:10] >> Yes. Yeah. [21:11] >> And if you're like council member [21:13] Calesi, he's tries to get in on that [21:16] booya judging and then he takes [21:17] everybody's bowls and he pours it into [21:19] one bucket and he has his own [21:21] >> Don't throw it away, put it in that [21:23] bucket. [21:23] >> Yeah. And he so he has his own booya of [21:26] booya, which is just to me it's [21:28] brilliant that he he thinks about that. [21:30] >> And then you have the Lutheran church, [21:31] which is right next door to them, and [21:33] they that's what they do. So they make [21:35] chili, the congregation makes chili and [21:38] they put it all together and then they [21:39] sell they they sell out of chili like [21:41] really early too. So I mean [21:43] >> again another tradition the church and [21:45] all their parishioners put that together [21:47] >> and sometime people just don't like buy. [21:49] They don't either the smell the the it's [21:52] too hot or whatever. So you have many [21:54] options of food. You've got like you [21:56] said before you've got about 15 food [21:58] vendors and you don't like to double [21:59] them up. So so everybody has their own [22:02] >> correct [22:02] >> kind of competition. Yeah, it's [22:04] basically that. Yeah. [22:05] >> Yeah. [22:06] >> So, yeah, it's a it's a great time. I [22:08] mean, I'm I'm satisfied with the way it [22:10] goes and [22:13] everybody says it's got to be tough, but [22:15] as you do it continuously, especially [22:18] for 37 years, it's a routine. You have [22:20] it all up in your head. So, [22:23] >> and you have a notebook and you have [22:24] your people and like you said, you go [22:26] you go the week before, you chalk out [22:28] the the marks. You have volunteers that [22:30] go do that. [22:31] >> Yep. you know they go they people go [22:33] like how often do you meet on your [22:34] committee and I said I am the committee [22:36] so there's not too much [22:38] >> meeting [22:39] >> yeah it's me I know what's going on or [22:41] and and what's going to happen and stuff [22:44] like that also would like to thank the [22:46] uh South St. Paul police and the [22:47] reserves. [22:48] >> Yeah. [22:49] >> I mean, they are out there. They're [22:51] making sure everything is safe and sound [22:54] and and we haven't had any, knock on [22:56] wood, any incidents or anything like [22:58] that. I think we had a a beasting or [23:01] something like that. But [23:02] >> lost parent. [23:03] >> Yeah. A lost parent. Yep. A parent got [23:05] lost and and u Yeah. [23:07] >> So, other than that, it's been really [23:09] successful. [23:10] >> Yeah, they are that. Thank you for for [23:12] saying that. And of course, that [23:13] tradition for the police and fire is the [23:15] same as well. they plan their shifts [23:16] around walking up and down and being a [23:18] part of that, right? [23:19] >> Call in some others. Yep. [23:21] >> Um and and it has, you know, knock on [23:22] wood, the the safety incidences and [23:25] those kinds of things are good, but I I [23:26] think that's really uh because of the [23:29] community aspect of it. This is a [23:31] community familyfriendly event. It's not [23:33] this isn't a, you know, a barn burner. [23:36] Let's booze it up or let's, you know, [23:39] watching fist fights or let's go there [23:41] to do the do nefarious stuff. It's all [23:43] about getting ready. Christmas gifts, [23:45] fall items, all the things you want to [23:47] taste. I mean, there's caramel apples, [23:49] there's pickles, there's people have [23:50] their fruits and their vegetables, you [23:52] know, all their canned stuff, which [23:53] >> the if you want to hero or whatever or [23:56] gyro or it's [23:58] >> you can have one. [23:59] >> Yeah. Cotton candy. [24:00] >> Yes. [24:01] >> Ice cream. Yep. [24:02] >> It's It's all there for you to enjoy. [24:04] >> It's a great time. And it's all in one [24:06] spot, so it's not all spread out and [24:09] it's so it's a safe environment. [24:12] >> Yeah. I know some people that don't even [24:13] they start on 12th, they park at, you [24:15] know, they'll go up to Nolan's or [24:17] they'll park up on 13th or whatever and [24:20] then walk down and they don't even get [24:22] past 9th. Oh, [24:24] >> you know, they they they just stop right [24:26] there and they do their thing and they [24:27] have so much stuff between 12th and 9th [24:31] >> that they don't go any farther. But [24:32] there's so much from 9th to third that [24:35] is unbelievable again like and finds [24:37] that you'll go through and go, "Man, [24:39] that's perfect for my cabin. I need that [24:41] for my graduation gift or you know a [24:44] Christmas gift. [24:44] >> Where did you have where did I get them [24:46] homemade m mittens and stuff like that [24:49] and [24:49] >> and yeah it's a lot of different [24:51] crafters and and there's some flea [24:54] market the flea market is kind of [24:55] starting to thin out a little bit. [24:57] There's more crafters and that and I'm [24:59] um amazed at how many people from South [25:02] St. Paul do crafts. Yeah. [25:04] >> And there's a lot of South St. Paul [25:05] people that that do there. We have a a a [25:09] couple class reunions. They go like, you [25:11] know, instead of trying to get together, [25:13] we're going to get together on the road [25:15] again. So, it's [25:16] >> Well, last year I remember I was booth [25:18] next to the um class of 75, which is the [25:21] year I was born. Sure. [25:22] >> And they were they were there just just [25:24] being a uh out to get their classmates [25:26] that would happen to see the sign and [25:28] say, "Hey, do you know we lost track of [25:29] you? Let's let's do it." Which I think [25:31] again is an awesome thing. [25:32] >> An awesome thing. Awesome. all the um [25:35] churches and nonprofits, they all have [25:37] the same ability and we have we see a [25:39] lot of those that have booths there, [25:40] whether it's informational or they're [25:42] trying to sell something to raise money [25:43] for their organization, but they can do [25:45] that as well. They just reach out to [25:46] you. [25:47] >> Correct. [25:47] >> So, how does somebody listening here [25:50] reach out to you? [25:51] >> Uh we have uh on the road. No, it's not [25:55] on the road again. That's a different [25:56] one. Uh you can contact us at [25:58] south66outlook.com. [26:02] And like I say, it um gets filled up [26:06] pretty fast. [26:06] >> So they can come into Selfie 66. [26:08] >> They can. Yep. I know we have a lady [26:10] that's working with Medicare and stuff [26:12] and she's going to have anformational [26:13] booth. So great. [26:15] >> Yeah. And you're going to have Townscore [26:16] television there. [26:17] >> Are they going to have a booth or are [26:18] they going to cover it again? [26:19] >> They're going to have a booth. [26:20] >> Wonderful. [26:21] >> Look for volunteers. Look for story [26:23] ideas. Yep. That's so cool. Yeah. Last [26:25] year we had um with with your help, [26:27] thank you. Uh we were able to get some [26:29] government agencies, the MPCA over there [26:32] to um talk to people about the Pigs Eye [26:34] Landfill and what's happening with that. [26:37] And so that's again it's not common for [26:40] people to know. So they come to our [26:41] festival to let 15,000 people know that [26:43] this is going on and it's it's really [26:45] helpful. So you'll have that again too. [26:47] So Oh yeah. [26:48] >> Right along with the vendors, right [26:49] along with the stuff. There is some [26:51] public service announcements that are [26:52] happening out there. [26:53] >> Yeah. And and uh yeah, even the uh South [26:57] St. Paul football, South St. Paul [26:58] basketball, South St. Paul hockey. [27:01] >> Um, they're all involved. I mean, they [27:03] have their little booths and sign up [27:04] things and uh yeah, it's it's a [27:07] community thing. It's a community event. [27:09] Definitely community. [27:11] >> It is our it's our state fair. It's [27:12] South St. Paul State Fair. [27:14] >> Yep. [27:14] >> Because we all have so much pride in it [27:16] and we're so appreciative of you coming [27:18] on conversations at South St. all to [27:20] talk about it and not only just be here [27:22] to talk and share with it, but also um [27:25] just for your hard work behind the [27:27] scenes. [27:28] >> Thank you. [27:28] >> You know, one of the questions is how [27:29] does somebody volunteer? We already [27:31] answered that. You don't need to [27:32] volunteer. [27:33] >> I do the day of and then that's it. Like [27:35] two and a half hours and you can go [27:37] home. Well, don't go home, [27:38] >> right? [27:39] >> Enjoy the uh scenery. [27:40] >> The scenery. Yeah. Do do the rest of it. [27:42] But but this year's done you you've got [27:44] it kind of all it's geared for success [27:46] already. Tell me about, you know, in our [27:49] last couple minutes here, tell me about [27:50] the future of On the Road again. What do [27:52] you do you see it just continuing to be [27:53] the same thing to you, getting moving up [27:55] to that 40-year mark? [27:57] >> Yeah, I'm moving up to the 40-year-old [27:59] mark, and I'm I'm hoping a group takes [28:02] over. I mean, I do have everything all [28:05] written down and stuff and, you know, [28:07] when to order portaotties, when to order [28:10] all this other stuff that needs to be [28:11] done. When do you talk to uh the county [28:14] about [28:15] >> buses? buses and the closing the road [28:18] and stuff like that. I mean, there's a [28:20] lot of little things that people don't [28:22] really realize that you have to do uh [28:25] call go for one call 4 days before the [28:28] event so they can check out the ground [28:30] rods that we put in for the electricity [28:33] and stuff like that. So, [28:34] >> so yeah, because you provide some [28:36] electricity for some of the vendors. [28:38] >> I used to and it got a little bit [28:41] expensive. So, we just do the the [28:43] electricity for the bands right now. [28:44] Okay. [28:46] >> Yeah. So, basically what you're saying [28:47] is it doesn't not going to end anytime [28:49] soon. It's got to it's going to continue [28:51] on the way it is. [28:52] >> I really hope so. Yeah. I mean, it's a [28:54] great Whoever does it, I mean, I'm I I [28:57] will volunteer. So, if you have a [28:59] committee, I'll be on it. So, [29:00] >> yeah. [29:01] >> Yeah. [29:02] >> Well, great. Steve, anything I didn't [29:03] ask you about on the road again that [29:05] that maybe you want to let people know [29:07] or do you want to, you know, again, give [29:08] a give any kind of plug back? Well, like [29:10] I say, we have the arts and crafts and [29:12] we have the Booya competition and the [29:14] medallion car show, live music, uh, [29:18] spons, like I said, sponsored by Midwest [29:20] and it's Vivian and Hayes this year. And [29:23] we have the beer garden with the Lions, [29:26] which is over at the Midwest One Bank [29:29] parking lot, and they have raffle [29:31] tickets. $10 can win a,000. Uh we have a [29:36] a bass boat, cool bus bass boat and a [29:38] little fishing for the kids. Pickle [29:40] contest [29:42] and uh also we have the little [29:44] car and we have that chalk art by Jack [29:47] Lee. [29:48] >> Yeah, it's it's another fun-filled [29:50] packed day [29:51] >> and inflatables. [29:53] >> Inflatables. The kids can go get these [29:55] wiggles out. [29:55] >> Yep. [29:56] >> It's it's for families. It's for [29:58] individuals. It's for neighbors. Come on [30:00] down. Yep. [30:01] >> Send them all to South St. Paul on [30:03] trucker holiday 104. [30:04] >> Yep. 104. You will have a great day. [30:07] >> All right. That's Steve Manowski and [30:09] we've been uh talking with Conversations [30:11] in South St. Paul. [30:12] >> Thank you. Been a pleasure. [30:14] [Applause] [30:16] [Music]