Photos by Chad Koenen

The Vining OG’s (above) popped the top of a bottle of sparkling grape juice during the annual Watermelon Day parade on Saturday evening. The team captured first place at the third annual Jacob Quam Foundation 3 vs 3 basketball tournament. The group rode at the top of the Jacob Quam Foundation float in the parade. Other parade entries included Bruce Froslee as grand marshal (above right), Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church (right), Henning Festival royalty (below right) who were celebrating a birthday on the float and the East Battle Lake Wastershed District (below). 

Natalie Eckhoff and Aaliyah Olson took their time to add some condiments to their hot dogs during the first Jacob Quam Foundation hot dog eating contest on Saturday.
Parade entries on Saturday included the Vining Watermelon Day float
Parade entries on Saturday included Nidaros Lutheran Church.
Parade entries on Saturday included the Henning trap team with Zach, Owen and Beckett Honebrink.
Saturday kicked off with the annual Run for the Melon 5k/10k. An early morning rain didn’t stop runners from competing in the annual race just off of Highway 210 and near East Battle Lake.
BigFoot Gas Grocery and Deli hosted its annual car and truck show on Saturday afternoon. The vehicles lined Nyberg Park.
Lucy, Koli and Audie Torgerson check out some of the items on display at the art and vendor show in Vining as part of the Watermelon Day celebration on Saturday.
Another popular stop at the art and vendor show was Zoob’s Nuts.
Dawson Bushman comes down with a rebound during the Jacob Quam Foundation 3 vs 3 basketball tournament.
Clueless the Balloon Twister created a number of masterpieces throughout Watermelon Day on Saturday.
Free watermelon was served throughout the 53rd annual Watermelon Day celebrtion in Vining on Saturday.
olunteers sliced watermelon nearly nonstop beginning at 11 a.m. throughout the remainder of the day.