DEXTER -- There are no excuses for missing Saturday's 2003 Sunflower Day celebration at Dexter.

In one of the rare occurrences this summer, the Dexter celebration is the only one of its kind in Mower County.

"That's it," Randy Stephenson said. "There are no others. This is the only thing going on in the county this weekend."

Stephenson, the town's fire chief and a former mayor, is a member of the Dexter Community Club. The club's volunteers are preparing to showcase the community's pride and heritage.

This is the 125th anniversary of the founding of Dexter.

Most recently Dexter has received everyone's praise for leading the efforts to help McNeilus Companies, Inc. locate a composite materials ready mix drum manufacturing facility at the crossroads of Mower County.

The plant was dedicated last week in an industrial park at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Minnesota Highway 16. The town created a tax increment financing district at the site to assist its economic development efforts.

Other TIF projects have aided in a rehabilitation of blighted properties in the community.

With the McNeilus facility, Dexter will be the home of the only composite materials manufacturing facility of its kind in the United States.

Mayor Joe Gardner's reaction to the new industry and the jobs that come with it was "ecstatic."

Fourteen of the first 15 employees hired by McNeilus Companies, Inc. are Mower County residents. The economic benefits to the county are obvious.

Now, the city they once called "Little Chicago," will celebrate 125 years of history with a Sunflower Day schedule to appeal to the entire family.

An antique tractor pull will test the metal and the mettle of drivers, beginning at 9 a.m. John Deere green, Allis-Chalmers orange, Big Red, Ford and Fordson and the Original Green (Oliver) tractors, as well as all other models, will compete near the Dexter Elevator.

Also at 9 a.m. Saturday, the always-popular consignment auction gets underway outside the Dexter United Methodist Church on the south edge of the community.

The skillful bakers at St. John's Lutheran Church of Elkton will sell their tasty goods at the fire station, beginning 9 a.m.

There will be bingo fun at the fire hall, beginning 2 p.m.

As suppertime nears, the Dexter Volunteer Fire Department will offer a chicken fry from 4 to 7 p.m.

There will also be a kiddie tractor pull at 3 p.m.

A children's carnival will continue throughout the day on main street.

Organizers expect plenty of entries in the bean bag toss tournament. For information, call Tammy Mees at 584-2223.

The co-ed softball tournament field is filled, but there are still openings for teams in the co-ed volleyball tournament.

The action takes place at Dexter City Park and Amanda Mathews has details at 584-2022.

There will be a kids karaoke activity from 5 to 7 p.m. on Main Street.

Then, Nathan Davidson and the Lost Faculties band will entertain at a street dance 8 p.m. to midnight.

The beer garden will be open all day as well as the Pepsi wagon, serving snacks and soft drinks.

Also, collectors will want to survey the many 125th anniversary commemorative souvenirs. There are T-shirts, sweat shirts, coffee mugs and Arris Bakker's updated Dexter history book on sale. The souvenirs will be sold all-day Saturday at the fire station.

And, the Dexter Community Club will also bring together current and former mayors for an impromptu reminiscing session beginning 5 p.m. at the fire hall.

Stephenson said the Dexter Community Club is being assisted by several key individuals and expressed his appreciation to everyone for making the town's 125th birthday party a special occasion.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com