Remembering Saint Cloud’s Centennial Celebration

In the summer of 2009, my hometown of Saint Cloud, Wisconsin, celebrated its 100th anniversary.  For a place as small as ours, a centennial celebration wasn’t just an event; it was a milestone and a moment for all of us to come together.  I knew I had to be there with my camera in hand.

That day, Main Street was alive in a way I’ll never forget.  Rows of lawn chairs lined the sidewalks hours before the parade began.  As I photographed the centennial celebration, I aimed to capture both the significant moments and the smaller ones.  The wave of veterans riding in the back of a convertible, the proud smile of a farmer on his restored John Deere, and the marching band’s colorful attire.  Every face I captured told part of Saint Cloud’s story.

Looking back, I realize these photographs are a record of who we were that day: neighbors, friends, and families tied together by shared history and the joy of celebrating where we come from.  Now, all these years later, I’m sharing these images and their stories with the world.  Because small towns like ours deserve to be remembered.  When I look at these photos, I see more than a parade; I see home.