A Tale Of Three Bridges

 Today is a long awaited day for me and my fellow 

Hastings, Minnesota residents!

Since our town sits on the banks of the  Mississippi River, we are home to a bridge that takes us across the  "Mighty Mississip." So why is this a long awaited day? Hold on, I'll get there, but first a little history.

Hastings' first bridge was the Spiral Bridge, built in 1895. Since the Spiral Bridge was built for horse traffic, it was very narrow. This bridge served the community well for many years, but towards the end of its lifespan it was rusted and could only support a 4-ton load. School buses filled with children were too heavy to make the trip, so the children had to walk across the bridge while the driver drove the empty bus across.

In 1951 the Spiral Bridge was replaced by a two-lane  steel bridge. Showing wear and tear, it had been scheduled to be torn down and replaced with a new bridge in the year 2019, but after the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, it was re-prioritized and construction started in 2010.

Last year I blogged about a milestone in the construction of Hastings' newest bridge. If you click here you can watch the video of our new bridge being moved into place. 

Which brings us to today, a long awaited day for me and my fellow Hastings, Minnesota residents. After 3 years of driving through bridge construction, waiting in long lines, and contending with some drivers who were not always "Minnesota nice," our new, 4-lane bridge is open for business!

I feel blessed to live in a beautiful part of the country, 

complete with a beautiful bridge!

Thanks to Dave Youngren for the current photos. 
To see more, visit Hastings Bridge Watch

One Step Closer

We in Hastings are very excited to be one step closer to our new bridge. This  four lane bridge, which spans the Mississippi River, is going to replace our existing two lane version.  Building began last year and it will not be completed until next year, but us Hastings folks are very thrilled with the progress and happily looking forward to the finished project. I hope you enjoy this time lapse video of the giant leaps forward that were made last weekend.

Shakes and Floats Without The Root Beer

HCTV Staff  (My son, Michael is holding the red bindle stick)

 Shakes and Floats!

I love a parade! I may be a bit bias, but I think Hastings Rivertown Days has one of the best! Hastings is located on the banks of the "Mighty Mississippi" so we embrace the river! Our three day community festival is held the 3rd weekend of July each year. The weekend is filled with shows, dances, crafts, a carnival and so much more, but my favorite is the parade.

My daughter Sara helps too.

Our family has helped with the Hastings Community TV float for the last three years, (since my son started working there). Building the float is almost as exciting as being in the parade. It is fun to watch the parade viewers wave at the cameras on the float, to see themselves on TV. We have a lot of "hams" in Hastings!

Klover Klub 4-H helps distribute milkshakes

I also have another favorite in the parade. It's the County Dairy Princesses. Each year our three princesses walk with the Hastings Co-op Creamery. Together with Klover Klub 4-H, they hand out hundreds of milkshakes to the spectators that are eager to enjoy a cold, tasty treat while they watch the parade. Chocolate shakes and a parade! So sweet!

Dakota County Dairy Princesses

Janna Sorg and Beth Donally.

Not pictured Maggie Stiles.