Volunteers: North Dakota’s Unsung Summer Heroes

As tassels are turned and mortarboards fly at local graduations, North Dakota is officially in the fast lane of summer activity. From the sparkle of the Miss North Dakota pageant to the crack of the bat at Legion baseball games to the smell of mini donuts wafting through county fairgrounds — one thing holds all these events together like duct tape on a 4-H project: volunteers.

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Yes, those everyday heroes who willingly sign up to direct traffic in 90-degree heat, flip pancakes at sunrise, and corral excitable steers (and sometimes kids) at the fair deserve a standing ovation. Without them, our jam-packed summer calendar would be nothing more than a wish list on a dusty bulletin board.

Behind the Sparkle: The Real Stars of the Pageant

Take the Miss North Dakota pageant, for example. While the contestants shine under the spotlight, it’s the behind-the-scenes crew — the costume runners, ticket takers, and program sellers — who keep the show running smoother than a contestant’s pageant wave.

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Legion Baseball’s MVPs? The Volunteers in the Stands and Snack Shack

And don’t even get me started on Legion baseball. Who lines the fields, works the concession stand, and announces the players with all the gusto of a major league broadcaster? Volunteers do it all...often dressed in shorts, a smile, and maybe a mustard stain or two from a hot dog here and there.

County Fair Magic: Held Together by Volunteers and a Bit of Duct Tape

As for county fairs, volunteers are the glue (and sometimes the duct tape) that keep livestock shows on schedule, food booths stocked, and pie-eating contests mildly under control. They make sure everyone from toddlers to great-grandparents finds something to smile about between the corn dogs and Ferris wheel rides.

North Dakota runs on more than just oil and determination — it runs on people who care. Volunteers aren’t just helping out; they’re creating memories, building communities, and keeping the heart of our hometowns beating strong.

So if you see one this summer, maybe offer a thank you… or at least a funnel cake.