Colfax approves new banners for Main Street

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX — Before the Colfax Sesquicentennial celebration next year in July, downtown Colfax will have new banners.

The Colfax Village Board approved purchasing the banners for $3,003 at the September 23 meeting, minus $500 that will be contributed by the Colfax Woman’s Club.

Mona Thorson, representing the Woman’s Club, attended the meeting to offer the $500.

The banners could have different images on all of them, and the price would be the same, Thorson told the village board.

Members of the Colfax Woman’s Club would like to hold a contest to select a design or designs for the banners, she said.

Gladys Knutson designed the existing banners that have the rosemaling motif, Thorson noted.

The Colfax Woman’s Club received two quotes from Mainstreet Designs of Champlin, Minn.

The first quote is for 22 canvas banners at a cost of $3,003.

The second quote is for 22 vinyl banners at a cost of $2,233.

The existing banners are canvas, are more than ten years, and have held up very well, Thorson said.

The Colfax Woman’s Club is suggesting that half of the banners be printed in red with the Colfax Sesquicentennial logo of the Viking ship, she said.

Mark Halpin, village trustee, said he liked the idea of the canvas banners because they are durable.

The Sesquicentennial banners will be appropriate to display even after the celebration next year because the banners will let visitors to Colfax know that the village has celebrated its 150th birthday, Thorson said.

Village Trustee Rick Johnson wondered about only replacing the banners that might be showing some wear.

The worst banners could be taken down and new ones put up for the Sesquicentennial, he said.

Thorson noted that the village did not pay any money toward the existing banners.

Jackie Ponto, village administrator-clerk-treasurer, said under ordinary circumstances, she would like the idea of rotating new and old banners, but since the Sesquicentennial is coming up next year, “it would be best to get them all at once so they look pretty all at once.”

Halpin made the motion to purchase the canvas banners and said the Colfax Sesquicentennial celebration “will be a once in a lifetime deal.”

Annie Schieber, village trustee, seconded Halpin’s motion.

The banners “can be used for years,” she said.

The motion to purchase 22 new banners for up to $2,503 for the village’s cost included the stipulation that it is up to the Colfax Woman’s Club to decide on colors and a design for the banners.

The Colfax Village Board unanimously approved the motion.

Susan Olson, village trustee, was absent from the meeting.

Village Trustees Halpin, Johnson, Schieber, Mike Buchner and Beverly Schauer voted in favor of the motion, along with Scott Gunnufson, village president.

The cost of the banners includes $33 for freight via UPS Ground delivery.