Viola celebrates 145th annual Gopher Count

Driving into Viola, the morning of Thursday, June 20th, parked cars lined both sides of the highway for miles. It was a cool, overcast day, and people packed blankets and camp chairs along Center Street, excitedly preparing to celebrate this year’s 145th Annual Viola Gopher Count.
The long-running Viola Gopher Count began in June 1874, according to an Olmsted County Historical Society plaque. At the time, descendants of the township’s original settlers faced an invasive gopher population and used hunting as a method of controlling it.
The Gopher Count was founded, therefore, as a competition to catch the most gophers; the losers would treat the winners to a picnic.
The Gopher Count has since evolved into a day celebrating community with food, music, and other festivities. Even today, gopher tails are still counted--and prizes awarded--keeping Viola history alive.
This year’s Gopher Count celebration began the evening of Wednesday, June 19th with bingo, yard games, and a movie. Then, at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, the food stand opened to already-formed crowds an hour before the Grand Parade.
Prior to the parade, the new Gopher Count King and Queen were officially crowned. Russ and Janet Hammel won this year’s titles.
After the crowning, Russ Hammel said, “Janet and I are honored to be the Gopher Count King and Queen this year. I’ve lived in the township all my life and been to Gopher Count many times as a kid, and it was a highlight of the summer. It’s still a highlight of the summer.”
“We should thank all the volunteers that have kept this going 145 years. It’s a great deal. I hope you all have a good time,” he continued, “and may all your traps have gophers in them.”
The Hammels then rode a convertible in the Grand Parade. The parade, perhaps the Gopher Count’s biggest attraction, kicked off with an energetic performance from the Dover-Eyota High School band.
People and businesses from around the Viola area followed in floats, including the Olmsted County Dairy Princesses, the Viola Victors 4H group, and the Shea Family. Members of the Shea Family came from twelve states to attend the Gopher Count as well as their family reunion

To read more about the 145th annual Viola Gopher Count, login to your Plainview News online Subscription or look for the June 27th edition on stands now.