Well it’s hard to believe but we are a third of our way through 2026 already.  May has arrived and we hope it brings warm weather and sunshine as we have a busy Rotary Summer ahead of us.  We started May off with our Rotary 5970 District Convention in Iowa Falls on May 1st and 2nd and we were pleasantly surprised to be awarded the Rotary Club Excellent Award this year, a big Thank You to every member of Mason City Noon Rotary because it takes a village.  My year as Club President is quickly coming to a close on June 30th and it has been a great year with many accomplishment's.  

 

Now we will recap the year later because we have a big Rotary Event coming fast.  On June 27th we will be presenting the 20th Annual Cannonball Days event in East Park.  In 1959 the then Mayor of Mason City and members of the Mason City Noon Rotary came up with the idea to preserve a big part of the towns railroad heritage.  The Sugar Beet Plant north of town had an old steam locomotive that was no longer in use and it was decided to acquire that engine and have it restored and moved to East Park for generations to come and visit and learn.  It has been a part of many generations of Mason City and North Iowa youth for over 65 years and we still celebrate this heritage at the end of June each year.  This year we will host kids activities like a fun run, pedal tractor pull, Kids Business Fair, Bill Rileys Talent Show, Bike Rodeo, bounce house and more.  Local business sponsor these activities so we can provide all the activities for kids at no charge and bring the Rotary Cannonball 457 to life once again.  Please come join us on June 27th and celebrated Mason City’s exciting railroad heritage in a big way.