An Albertville Original Will Lead Grand Parade

When it comes right down to it, LeRoy Berning is "Mr. Albertville Friendly City Days," unofficially. 

So it's about time he got to ride in the lead car of the parade. 

LeRoy and his wife, Nancy, will get to do just that Sunday afternoon, as they take a leisurely drive down Main Street and lead more than 120 parade entries in what has become the annual kickoff to city celebrations each summer. 

"It's come a long way, but I think it's the cooperation of a lot of different groups that has made the weekend so unique, and so successful," LeRoy said. "It really has something for everybody." 

Berning, who has lived in Albertville his entire life, grew up on Lander, just a block off what is now the parade route. For years after he moved out, he lived on Large Avenue, before eventually moving over to Karston after they built Cedar Creek Golf Course. 

His wife, of course, is a Linneman. She's moved a whole four miles from home. 

The two are recognizable my many beyond Albertville Friendly City Days. LeRoy is one of the helpful guys over at . Nancy is a receptionist at . 

The couple has raised two daugthers, both of which will call Fargo home this fall as they attend North Dakota State University. 

They're world-travelers, as far as Bernings go. 

For LeRoy, home is just fine. As long as he's busy, Nancy said. 

"If he wasn't doing something like (organizing) Friendly City Days, he'd be miserable. He'd be bored," she said. "So I can give him up a couple weeks before the event each year if it keeps him happy." 

LeRoy's community service started with the Jaycees, where he helped get the huge softball tournament (still a part of AFCD) rolling. He served eight years on the Albertville City Council, before stepping down in 2008. Then, he joined the Lions. 

He's been heading up the city's big celebration since the mid-1990s, and enjoys every weekend. 

"It's to the point now where you get people contacted, and they're ready to go. They know what we have to do to get it going," he said. "And we have six or seven people on the committee now who do a lot of work to make it all happen." 

This year, he and Nancy can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.