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| | Email this article • Print this article | Grand marshals chosen to lead parade
by Sue Sullivan
Grand marshals for the Fourth of July Parade in Cannon Falls this year are Mary and Ed Lorentz, founders of Lorentz Meats in 1968.
"We were surprised and honored to be asked," said Mary.
The Cannon Valley Fair Board selects people as grand marshals who have contributed to the community and to the Cannon Valley Fair over the years.
"It has truly been a privilege and honor to work with Ed and Mary at the Cannon Valley Fair. They have shared with all of us the true meaning of teamwork," said fair board president Mike Daniels.
Fair board member Nancy Hovel said, "Ed and Mary have helped make the Cannon Valley Fair successful just like their own business, Lorentz Meats."
Ed was in charge of the Knights of Columbus food stand at the fair and Mary was his assistant, when in fall, 1994 Mary was elected an associate member of the fair board working with the 4-H program.
The couple enjoyed the fair and according to Mary, it became a challenge at the booth to sell more each year than had been sold the year before. She exclaimed, "We both had fair fever!" However, when Mary was elected to the fair board, Ed lost his assistant and a role reversal began. In 1999 Ed gave up his job at the KC food booth in favor of working with Mary once again, the position he still holds.
Mary worked with 4-H superintendent Stella Loven for two years prior to Loven's retirement from the position. Mary then took on the superintendent's job, which included lining up judges and overseeing 4-H projects in the building. At that time only 4-H projects were in the 4-H building. There are now open entries as well.
Ed removed partitions, installed more shelving and competely rearranged the building in accordance with Mary's new ideas for the building.
"I loved working with the 4-H kids, rewarding them for all their hard work," she said.
In 2004 when the board asked Mary to accept the CVF secretary's job, she and Ed were secretaries for the MN Association of Meat Processors, giving them familiarity with non-profit organizations.
After several years doing both jobs, Ed quipped with a smile, "We made a good financial decision and gave up the paid position with the meat processors and continued the volunteer position with the Cannon Valley Fair."
In 2006, Mary became a regular director of the Fair Board.
As secretary, Mary keeps minutes, writes and receives correspondence, and is the contact point for all vendors and concessionaires who come to the fair. Her office during and just prior to the fair is on the fairgrounds, but the rest of the year it's in a building off site, where she pays on-going bills associated with maintaining the fairgrounds year-round.
"Ed and Mary have spent endless hours and have done so much," commented former CVF board member Todd Prink.
"We are proud to be associated with the Cannon Valley Fair," concluded Mary.
Hovel stated, "The Cannon Valley Fair Board as well as the community of Cannon Falls want to honor Ed and Mary for all their dedication and hard work."
After leading the parade on July 4, the Lorentzes will hurry back to the fairgrounds to continue making sure things run smoothly.
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