A Triple Threat: Sports, Politics, and Art in Southeast Minnesota’s History

In 1949, July 4th festivities took place throughout Southeast Minnesota despite intense heat. Over 20,000 people gathered at Lake City for the annual Water Carnival, where Jean Sass was crowned Queen of the Carnival. That same year, the American League All-Star baseball team was selected, featuring players such as Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Larry Doby, and Joe DiMaggio. The game was played in Brooklyn, with the American League emerging victorious with a score of 11-7.

50 years ago in 1974, Vietnam veterans were demonstrating in Washington, D.C., demanding more education and employment benefits, as well as improvements in Veteran Administration hospitals. Additionally, Rev. James Harris from Des Moines, Iowa became the first Black president of the National Education Association (NEA), a 1.5 million member group. Harris was recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Black Americans” by Ebony Magazine in 1975.

Meanwhile in Rochester’s southeast region during that same time period and year 1974 , George Lynaugh won first place in freestyle competition at USA Wrestling National Competition held in Waterloo Iowa .

Ron Hunt’s Views of Rochester at the Millennium” was a calendar featuring 12 new watercolors by artist Hunt was selling signed calendars at Carson Art and Southeast Minnesota Visual Artists’ Gallery on Peace Plaza in Rochester . His artwork celebrated his hometown’s beauty and history .