Lake Bronson residents unite to draw visitors in absence of lake

By Anna Jauhola
Lake Bronson residents have already noticed the effect of the lake being drained in preparation for the dam replacement project. They are now working to combat the loss of visitors and improve their town in the process.
The Lake Bronson Improvement Committee has been around for years, most recently focusing on raising money for and planning the town’s annual event, Bronsonfest, which is Aug. 1-3. As this event is pretty well set, the committee’s most active members – sisters Vada Gatheridge and Macy Cosley – held a public meeting last week to raise awareness and establish subcommittees to improve the city.
“The purpose of expanding our committee is to grow in other areas, instead of just focusing on Bronsonfest,” Gatheridge said. “New subcommittees would include beautification, event planning and grant writing.”
About a dozen people attended the meeting and were willing to join the subcommittees. Ron and Mindy Kjelland, who own Bronson Market, have had experience with grant writing, so they joined that group. Patti Krininger and Cindy Adams asked to be on the beautification committee. Gatheridge, Cosley and Adams agreed to be on the event planning committee. Others in the room agreed they’d help with any committee’s activities when needed.
The goal is for these committees to work on projects, report on progress at full LBIC meetings and work together to ensure success.
While the immediate focus will be the Burgers and Bingo night scheduled for Friday, March 28 at the American Legion, the group brainstormed other ideas for fundraising beyond Bronsonfest. As the Lake Bronson State Park dam project is well under way, the group agreed on the need to clean up the town and discuss a possible new slogan to bring it all together.
“New dam, new town,” Adams said.
“New dam town!” Debbie Breiland exclaimed as everyone laughed.
The group did not decide on a slogan that evening, but found inspiration in Breiland’s suggestion.
“I really think we should start with a clean-up campaign,” said Mindy Kjelland. “We need a group to start discussing how we can go about that.”
She envisioned a one- or two-year campaign that includes not only city-owned properties, but also assisting residents who need help. Cosley said the National Honor Society students at Lancaster are always looking for service projects and she would visit with them to help with clean-up projects.
The Kjellands had worked on finding a paint grant through Valspar, but that hasn’t come to fruition yet. There is a possibility local hardware stores could donate paint to refurbish the exterior of the American Legion building. The group agreed this would show progress and give them momentum. Gatheridge suggested the group could also hold a 50/50 raffle during the March 28 Burgers and Bingo, and designate that money toward the painting project.
Adams suggested one of them be a liaison to visit with the Lake Bronson City Council to ensure everyone is on the same page. She has counted at least 13 dilapidated houses in town and would like to work with the city to get them cleaned up or taken care of.
As for Bronsonfest, Gatheridge said they’ve already booked a band, a pair of Clydesdale horses for buggy rides, Jacob Maier for music trivia and will host a cornhole tournament. Cosley said they’re looking at getting a petting zoo. Adams suggested an evening parade to help keep people in town, and to celebrate the city’s 120th anniversary.
Other suggestions were to plant trees on vacant lots to brighten up Main Street and plant flowers in public spaces during the spring and summer to make it more inviting. The committee also discussed long-term projects like working on a temporary public pavilion for vendors during events, raising money for a splash pad along the Main Street and a community garden supported through selling memorial benches or plaques.
Adams, who is the director at the Kittson County Museum in Lake Bronson, noted she and the board have several events planned for 2025 to help draw in visitors. Specifically, she booked the Acoust Hicks for Friday, Aug. 1 to play on the depot platform. This is the first day of Bronsonfest.
Anyone interested in enhancing Lake Bronson is welcome to attend meetings of the Lake Bronson Improvement Committee, and join the group in any capacity. The group plans to meet monthly. For more information, you can visit the Lake Bronson Improvement Committee Facebook page or email [email protected].