25 Years of MGCO!

2013 is an important year for the Maple Grove Community Organization (MGCO) - it's our 25th Anniversary! In honor of this celebration, let's take a look back at how MGCO has been promoting Maple Grove and its citizens over the past 25 years.

MGCO is an non-profit organization that was originally founded by Maple Grove citizens in order to develop a community festival. After being presented as an idea to the Maple Grove city council, MGCO was born. The first planned event was the "Lighting of the Grove" in 1988, an exciting event that featured Santa Claus arriving in a limo and a fireworks display.

Maple Grove's first parade followed in 1989. The route was considerably shorter - traveling only from the old library to the post office! It wasn't until the next year that the parade was re-named for Maple Grove pioneer Pierre Bottineau and expanded its route and its participants.

1990 was also the year that Maple Grove Days officially began. Over the next few years, events such as the jr. golf tournament, softball tournament, carnival, children's events, bingo, photo contest and more were gradually added. 

As Maple Grove has expanded over the past years, Maple Grove Days has mirrored its growth with a variety of events for kids, teens, and adults all throughout the city. These days, MGCO sponsors other events in addition to Maple Grove Days including a Halloween event, a Sleigh Bells and Sparkle parade, and Breakfast with Santa. 

Hope you enjoyed your local history lesson of the day. If you'd like to become involved with Maple Grove Days at personal or a business level, please visit www.mgco.org for more information!

Next week, we'll look at the many events at this year's Maple Grove Days.