Cottage Grove organizations are hoping community events can be be put back on the calendar this summer.

Specifically, Strawberry Fest and the Fourth of July fireworks were highlighted at the City Council meeting last Wednesday night.

“We have a lot of questions now that we are hearing about the proverbial dials being turned in the State of Minnesota around whether or not we will have Strawberry Fest this year and about whether we will have Fourth of July fireworks this year,” said Councilmember Justin Olsen.

He said if the events are a go, the Cottage Grove Lions Club is ready to help.

“The Lions are very eager to be involved and back to serving the public at Strawberry Fest and with the Fourth of July fireworks,” said Olsen. See STRAWBERRY page 3 Strawberry

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Council member Dave Thiede is involved on the Strawberry Fest Committee, and he said the group is working out details for this year’s event, which could look different from other years. Last year’s Strawberry Fest was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“We’ve been talking about that,” said Thiede. “We’ve had a couple meanings. We’ve been leaning on Pete (Police Chief Koerner) a little bit, and the governor to see exactly what they’re going to do.”

The organization may look at a date change for this year.

“”We’ve even talked about having something in September if we can’t do anything in June or if things loosen up in June, maybe we’ll not have the full festival but some different things,” said Thiede. “We are trying to work things out. We’d love to have it this year, but we have to see what’s going to break loose.”

Mayor Myron Bailey said the city is hoping for the Fourth of July fireworks to be held.

“We’re working to see if it’s possible to have the Fourth of July fireworks,” he said. “I know the president mentioned the Fourth of July being a larger celebration which would be neat with COVID under control. I’m hopeful we can do it. We’re just making sure as we talk to our leaders up at the state on what we can and cannot do.”