Julian Nelson is honored this year as grand marshal for the Bayfield Apple Festival's 50th annual celebration

Honoring the most fitting grand marshal for Apple Festival's 50th - Julian Nelson

Julian Nelson is honored this year as grand marshal for the Bayfield Apple Festival's 50th annual celebration. And fitting it is - Julian was one of the originators of the festival in 1962 with buddies Jimmy Erickson, Erickson Orchards, and George Mitchell, who owned a little gift shop just out of town. All three businessmen were board members in the earliest days of the Chamber of Commerce and all three gave the festival idea the "thumbs up" at Greunke's Restaurant, Irene Greunke's unofficial office for managing Chamber business.

In those days, the tourist season was over and done with by Labor Day. All three wondered what might be done to extend the season and keep the visitors coming to Bayfield since the fall colors and warm weather make it a perfect time for tourists to visit. Jimmy Erickson suggested bringing back an Apple Festival. Efforts had created a small event which was primarily farmers bringing their apples to the city to sell in the late '50's, but without organization and enthusiasm, the event had little impact or longevity. This trio felt they could start up a festival and keep it going for years to come.

Julian recalls that as they put their plans together for the event, there happened to be a reporter from Channel 6 television in Duluth eating while they were meeting at Greunke's Restaurant. Hearing their plans, he said, "You print up a sign that says the name, place and date and we'll flash it on the screen several times a week at no charge to you." And it worked, for the first year brought in 5,000 visitors to enjoy the apples, the goodies made primarily by school aged kids, and a parade. The first festival, according to Nelson, was held on the last Sunday in September. It eventually was moved to the first weekend in October where it has remained throughout the years.

Julian has worn many hats while living all 95 years in Bayfield. His wife Marie, who is deceased, operated Nelson's Clothing for sixteen years where Roxanne's Gift Shop is currently located. Julian is one of Bayfield's most successful fishermen and ran fishing camps on Stockton Island and Rocky Island. He also served as a captain for the Madeline Island Ferry Line for eighteen years once he retired from fishing.

Not only has Bayfield benefited from Julian's role in planning the first Apple Festivals or because of his business, Julian has also contributed to the health and vitality of the Bayfield community through his involvement as a citizen. He served on the Bayfield City Council and was Bayfield's mayor for 2 years. Julian also sat on many local government commissions including Bayfield's Planning and Harbor Commissions.

According to his old time pals at the Northern Edge Restaurant who spend several mornings a week having coffee with Julian, Julian's current reputation is one of being Bayfield's most noted historian. You can ask Julian anything - even as far back as 1932 and he'll know the answer, they say. "Heck," Julian responds, "I'm getting so old that no one can disprove anything I say!"

What everyone does say, however, and with conviction, is that the first Apple Festival put Bayfield on the map and it couldn't have happened without our 2011 Bayfield Apple Festival Grand Marshal, Julian Nelson.

For more information about the 50th annual Bayfield Apple Festival, please visit bayfield.org or the new Apple Festival page on Facebook.