The 2024 Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause will be in honor of Madeline Kingsbury, with all money raised going into a fund for the health, welfare, and education for her two children, Elliana and Noah.

In 2023, a group including Kevin Jacobsen of Caledonia, Gina Jaquith of Chatfield, Eric Hammell of Fountain, along with myself, initiated the first-ever Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause in Southeast Minnesota.  The same group is coordinating this year’s cruise.

Last year’s event was geared toward bringing people together for a cruise around Bluff Country on Father’s Day while also raising funds for a cause.  The 2023 event participants raised $13,250 to go directly to Kendall Hammell, a Chatfield girl battling cancer.

This year’s event will be in honor of Madeline Kingsbury.  She went missing on March 31, 2023, and her body was discovered on June 7, 2023 along Highway 43 between Rushford and Mabel, Minn.  She left behind two children, Elliana and Noah.  Her parents, David and Cathy Kingsbury, have taken on the responsibility of raising Maddi’s children, while also grieving the loss of their daughter.  Adam Fravel awaits his trial in the fall of 2024 for the alleged murder of Madeline Kingsbury.

Maddi’s children were chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s event, because they have already contended with so much tragedy and they will be facing a difficult road ahead.  We, as a community, have an opportunity to help them look forward to a brighter future.

How You Can Participate

Shirts will be available via an online store made available by Threads Custom Apparel in Chatfield, Minn.  Approximately $9 from every shirt sold will go toward the benefit fund for Elliana and Noah.  The shirt order deadline is June 2, 2024.  Even if someone cannot attend the Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause, they can still order a shirt and have it shipped to them.

For last year’s event, there were 88 vehicles with about 160 participants donating the day of the event.  Some people donated $20 and there was even a construction company that donated $3,000.  Whatever amount someone is able to give is welcome.  It all adds up and it will be appreciated.

This Year’s Route

The cruise will be held on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Event registration will start at 10 a.m., with the cruise starting at 11 a.m.  The Rushford Fire Department has agreed to be the hosting location for the start of the event.  Starting in Rushford, the route will take cruisers north on Highway 43 toward Winona.

The first stop on the route will be the historic Pickwick Mill Museum.  With a rich history dating back to 1856, the mill and museum has six floors to navigate with engaging presentations by tour guides. 

After leaving the little village of Pickwick, cruisers will be driving up the hill over to Nodine and heading down the scenic Apple Blossom Road to Time-Out Tavern in La Crescent.

All types of vehicles are welcome: cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  All participants are expected to obey the rules of the road.

The cruise will span approximately 50 miles and should wrap-up around 3 p.m.