Paul Bunyan has always loved parades. From high-stepping marches through the great pine forests during the heyday of logging to parading through America’s literary fascination with his tall tales, Paul Bunyan’s burly presence has always added an attention-grabbing bold accent wherever he appears.

So, it was no surprise that Paul Bunyan grabbed the attention of the crowd enjoying Crosslake’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Riding in his tree-lined float, occasionally perched in his big Bunyan chair, but more often moving from side to side greeting his fans, Paul flashed a sign that read, ‘Forget the Blarney Stone, Kiss Paul Bunyan’.

By the end of the parade, Paul Bunyan, performed by Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association board member, Rod Nelson, had gathered up nearly twenty five big smooches. Scores of others exuberantly blew kisses to the charismatic Bunyan as his forested float moved along the parade route.

Enthusiasm for the Paul Bunyan legacy here in our Lakes area continues to grow and the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association (PBSBA) invites those who’ve caught the excitement to visit the PBSBA’s Paul Bunyan Exhibit Room located in the Administration Building at the Crosslake USACE Campground and Recreation Area.

Because of the growing Bunyan enthusiasm, the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association now has three people who play the Paul Bunyan character at various community events. The original Paul Bunyan, Wayne Chamberlain, has been familiar to Bunyan groupies for almost ten years.  Newer Paul Bunyan characters are Brian Peterson, whose next appearance will be at the Pequot Lakes Library’s Preschool Pajama Night on March 31, 2011, and the St. Patrick’s parade ‘Paul’, Rod Nelson.