Zelazny to be honored as 2026 Cromwell Harvest Festival Grand Marshal

CROMWELL, Minn. — After nearly a decade of service as Cromwell’s mayor, Sharon Zelazny will have a special place of honor during this year’s Cromwell Harvest Festival as the 2026 Grand Marshal.

Zelazny has served as mayor since 2016, a role she never originally set out to pursue. Instead, she wanted to become more involved in the community and city government. When no one else stepped forward to run for mayor, Zelazny decided to take on the challenge. “I wasn’t motivated to become mayor,” Zelazny said. “I was motivated to get involved with the city, but there was nobody running for mayor. And that’s actually why.”

The decision launched what she describes as a steep learning curve. Zelazny had previously served on a school board but had never been involved in city government. She also had never lived in a city, having previously lived in a township.

What she lacked in municipal experience, however, she made up for with hard work and a willingness to learn.

Over the years, Zelazny has helped oversee and pursue a number of major projects that have changed the look and functionality of Cromwell.

One of the first major projects she inherited was the Highway 210 reconstruction project. The project was already in the planning stages when she became mayor and required the city to address its share of the costs. Zelazny noted that although such projects often involve substantial outside funding, the Highway 210 project cost the city approximately $400,000. The city used the opportunity to complete additional utility upgrades as part of the work.

Other projects came about because of needs Zelazny saw around the community.

The city park and pavilion became one example. What began as an effort to improve the pavilion’s dance floor expanded into a larger effort to address drainage problems in the park. Zelazny insisted the drainage issue be corrected before improvements were made to the pavilion because rainwater was flowing into the building.

The city pursued a Clean Water grant for drainage improvements, followed by a Department of Natural Resources grant for outdoor recreation and additional funding for pavilion improvements.

For Zelazny, the projects were more than improvements to buildings and streets. They represented an opportunity to change the way residents viewed their community.

“When I first started as mayor, I really felt like the people of this community were downhearted,” she said. “All I would ever hear is, ‘Well, we used to have that,’ or ‘We did that.’”

She began seeing opportunities rather than empty buildings and lost amenities. As projects were completed, she said, residents began seeing tangible evidence that improvements could happen in Cromwell. “They are optimistic now that things can happen,” she said. “They’re very proud of our little city right now.”

Among the projects closest to Zelazny’s heart is the city’s new multiuse walking trail. She had long been concerned about the lack of a safe place for residents, particularly students, to walk. She recalled seeing track athletes running along the shoulder of the road and knew the community needed a safer alternative.
The trail project took approximately seven years to develop before the city secured a $2.25 million grant. The completed trail provides a safe walking route between Villa Vista and the stop sign, connects with the Riverwalk and provides access from a nearby development.

The project also helps address a longstanding problem created by the absence of sidewalks along Highway 210. “When we did the Highway 210 project, I felt like this town just didn’t have sidewalks,” Zelazny said.

The city’s efforts have extended beyond visible construction projects. Zelazny points to the installation of a modern emergency alert system as one of her first projects as mayor. The system, funded through multiple grants, connected the community with the National Weather Service and improved local emergency notification capabilities.

She also considers bringing high-speed internet to Cromwell an important achievement, even though it may not receive the same attention as a new road or trail.
During her tenure, Zelazny estimates she has helped bring more than $4 million in grant funding to the community.

Looking back on her years as mayor, Zelazny said it is difficult to identify one accomplishment as the most rewarding. “I will say that my work has been some of the most rewarding work I’ve done in my life,” she said. “I don’t think I can even say what is the one thing, because I’m just proud of our city.”
Zelazny credits the residents, city staff and council members who supported the work along the way.

As she prepares to step away from the mayor’s position, Zelazny said the decision was not about one particular issue. After nearly 10 years, she simply believes it is time.

“When I started this venture, my husband was still working part time,” she said. “He doesn’t anymore. And so now when I go to meetings, he’s home sitting by himself.”

Zelazny said she wants to be more available to her husband and family.

Her decision to leave the mayor’s office will close a significant chapter of public service, but her legacy can be seen throughout Cromwell — from improved streets and utilities to parks, recreation, emergency services, high-speed internet and a trail designed to make the community safer and more connected.
As the 2026 Cromwell Harvest Festival Grand Marshal, Zelazny will have an opportunity to celebrate alongside the community she has spent the past decade serving.

For Zelazny, the honor is fitting recognition for a mayor who entered the position unexpectedly but embraced the opportunity to help Cromwell move forward.

Cromwell Harvest Festival Set for Sept. 11-13

The Cromwell Harvest Festival returns Sept. 11-13 with a weekend of food, music, games and community activities. Most events will be held at the Cromwell Pavilion unless otherwise noted.

Friday begins with the Scarecrow Contest, featuring $50 prizes in kids and adult categories. Scarecrows must be set up by noon, with winners announced Saturday at 3 p.m. The Steak Fry runs from 4-7 p.m., with steak dinners, hamburgers and hot dogs available. Ice cream will also be served, and a quilt raffle begins at 7 p.m. The Muni will host a meat raffle at 5:30 p.m., followed by free jukebox music.

Saturday starts with a Pancake Breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The Alzheimer’s Walk begins with registration at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9:30. A veterinary clinic will be held at City Hall from 9 a.m.-noon.

Craft and food vendors will be at the Pavilion from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., along with a bouncy house from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Medallion Hunt begins at 10 a.m., with hourly clues posted until the $50 prize is found.

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m., with Sharon and Bill Zelazny serving as Grand Marshals. Patriotic floats are encouraged. A Fire Department Water Ball Fight begins at 11 a.m.

Saturday afternoon includes a Pie Social, kids games, a historical society presentation and live music by the North Smoke Band from 1-4 p.m. Sports activities include 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball and an adult bean bag tournament.

Evening activities include Cash Bingo and a Silent Auction at 5 p.m. at the Pavilion. Music at the Muni features Ike & Gwen, Pine County Line and DJ Dean.

Sunday begins with a Community Worship Service at 9 a.m., followed by fellowship. The offering will benefit the Tri-Community Food Shelf. Sunday activities at the Muni include Racing with the Northern Pine Riders at 1 p.m. and a Vikings-Packers game potluck at halftime.

The festival is sponsored by the Cromwell Area Community Club.