Celebrating Lumberjack Days
Every July, downtown Stillwater comes alive. The streets fill with people, the parade makes its way down Main Street, live music can be heard throughout downtown, and the St. Croix River is packed with boats. For a lot of people, Lumberjack Days is one of the best weekends of the summer. For our family, it’s always been a little more than that.
Our family has called Stillwater home for six generations, so Lumberjack Days has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Long before Weatherguard Construction was founded in 2001, our family was putting down roots here while Stillwater was growing into one of the country’s great lumber towns. It’s pretty amazing to think about how much the community has changed over the years, while still holding onto the traditions that make it feel like home.
As Weatherguard celebrates 25 years this year, we’ve found ourselves reflecting on how lucky we are to still be serving the same community our family has been part of for generations. We’ve watched neighborhoods grow, met incredible homeowners, and built relationships that go far beyond the projects themselves. No matter how much we’ve grown as a company, our roots are still right here in Stillwater.
Our Family Tradition
Every family has their own Lumberjack Days Tradition, and ours is the medallion hunt. Every year we’re convinced this is going to be our year. We wait for the first clue to come out, get to the courthouse early to hear it being read and immediately start throwing out theories. Then it’s off to drive around town, search parks, look under rocks, behind signs, around monuments, you name it. Somehow, we’re always so close, but still have yet to find it.
One year, after the final clue was released, we sprinted to the location. We were the first ones there and spotted something that had to be the medallion. We pulled on it a few times, but it wouldn’t budge. Thinking it couldn’t possibly be it, we searched elsewhere around the location. Not even a minute later, another group walked over, gave it one good pull…and there it was. The medallion.
Another year, after reading the very first clue, we knew exactly where it had to be. We got there before anyone else and searched that location every single day. We were convinced we had cracked it. Then, on the last day, someone else found the medallion in the exact spot we had been searching all weekend.
And then there was the year we once again made it to the location first, only to watch another family find it right in front of us. At this point, we’ve accepted that we’re pretty good at solving the clues…we’re just not very good at actually finding the medallion.
As the start of Lumberjack Days begins tonight (Thursday July 16th, 2026), we have once again convinced ourselves that this year is our year. Even if we don’t find it, spending time with family and getting to explore Stillwater is what the hunt is all about. We can’t wait to see the other medallion hunters at the Courthouse tonight!
Celebrating 25 years
As we celebrate 25 years of Weatherguard, we’re incredibly thankful for everyone who’s supported us along the way. Whether you’ve trusted us with your roof, your siding, your windows, your deck, or simply recommended us to a friend, thank you. Businesses like ours only exist because of communities like this one.
If you’re heading downtown for Lumberjack Days this weekend, we hope you have an amazing time. Cheer on the parade, support the local businesses and organizations that make this event possible, enjoy the music, and if you’re participating in the Medallion Hunt…maybe you’ll have better luck than we ever do.
Make the Most of Lumberjack Days at Home
Lumberjack Days brings neighbors together. If you’re hosting a backyard get-together before the fireworks or inviting friends to watch the parade from your front lawn, a little home prep goes a long way. Tidy up walkways, trim low branches near sidewalks, and set out a small bin for recycling so bottles and cans don’t end up in your landscaping. If street parking gets tight on your block, consider placing a friendly sign that says “Please don’t block driveway” to keep access clear and safe for your household.
It’s also a smart weekend to think about comfort. July can mean heat, humidity, and pop-up storms. Check that outdoor lights are working for safe paths after dark, set out bug spray for guests, and keep a small towel by the door to wipe off shoes if a quick shower rolls through. A simple doormat and a shoe tray inside can protect your floors and reduce the dirt tracked in by parade-goers.
A Quick Mid-Summer Exterior Checklist
Summer is when Minnesota homes see the most sun, wind, and water in a short span of time. A five-minute look from the ground can help you spot small issues before they become headaches. Scan your roof for missing or slipped shingles and look for shingle edges that are curling. After a windy night, you might notice small granules at the bottom of downspouts—some is normal, but heavy accumulation can hint at wear.
Walk around your home and check gutters and downspouts. Make sure downspouts are extended and pointed away from the foundation. If you can safely reach the first elbow, clear out leaves and helicopter seeds that love to clog halfway through summer. When storms come through during the festival weekend, clear gutters help move water quickly and protect basements.
Take a look at your siding and paint. If you notice peeling paint on trim or hairline cracks in caulking around windows and doors, a small touch-up now helps keep moisture out. Products like LP SmartSide are designed to stand up to our Midwest climate, but even durable materials benefit from clean, sealed joints where trim meets siding.
Hosting? Prep Your Deck and Porch
Decks become the stage for summer gatherings. Before guests arrive, walk the surface and feel for soft spots, raised fasteners, or a wobbly rail. Tighten loose screws on stairs and handrails, and replace any lifted nails with deck screws to reduce trip hazards. If your deck is composite, like TimberTech or Trex, a quick soap-and-water wash with a soft brush brings back traction and color without harming the surface. For wood decks, sweep debris out of board gaps so rain can drain freely.
Set your grill at least a few feet from railings and siding, and place a heat-resistant mat underneath to catch grease and sparks. If you’re stringing cafe lights, use proper outdoor-rated cords and avoid stapling into the deck frame; simple clips do the job and protect the wood. These small steps keep gatherings comfortable and your deck ready for more summer evenings.
Windows and Doors for Breeze and Quiet
Festival weekends are about fresh air and music, but you still want control over noise and bugs. Give window screens a quick check for tears and sagging frames. Many minor screen repairs can be done with a spline tool and new mesh in under an hour. Clean window tracks and add a touch of silicone spray to help sashes glide smoothly. Quality windows from brands like Pella, Marvin, Kolbe, and Andersen are built to perform, and simple maintenance helps them do their job for the long haul.
Be Storm-Ready Between Events
July can turn from sunshine to hail in minutes. Tie down patio umbrellas, secure lightweight chairs, and close awnings if you head downtown. If hail does pass through, do a safe, ground-level inspection afterward. Look for dents in downspouts, torn window screens, or granules piling on concrete—these can be clues to roof impacts. If you suspect roof or siding damage, avoid climbing ladders when surfaces are slick. Take a few photos from the ground and make notes while it’s fresh. A professional assessment can determine the next steps and prevent small leaks from becoming bigger issues.
Impact-resistant shingles, such as certain Owens Corning options, can provide added peace of mind in hail-prone areas. Not every home needs them, but if your neighborhood has seen repeat storms, it may be worth a conversation when you plan your next roof replacement. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor with a BBB A+ Rating and as an NRCA member, Weatherguard has seen how the right system—shingles, underlayment, ventilation, and flashing—works together to protect a home, season after season.
After the Confetti: A 15-Minute Walkaround
When the last song fades and the streets quiet down, a quick post-festival check helps reset your home. Pick up litter that might have drifted into shrubs, and look for scuffs on painted railings or steps. Check that gutter extensions are still attached after heavy foot traffic or lawn games. If sidewalk chalk made its way onto siding or deck boards, rinse gently with a hose; avoid high-pressure washing on siding, which can force water behind panels and into wall cavities.
A Friendly Note for Medallion Hunters
Part of the magic of the medallion hunt is exploring parks and public spaces together. A little courtesy keeps it fun for everyone. Stay off private property unless you have permission, and resist digging around trees or memorials. Pack a small bag with sunscreen, bug spray, and water—especially for kids who can forget how far they’ve wandered following clues. And if you do spot a promising hiding spot, remember our family’s hard-earned lesson: sometimes it really does come down to one good pull.
Preserving Stillwater’s Heritage, One Home at a Time
Lumberjack Days honors hard work and craftsmanship—values that built this town. It’s the same mindset that guides how we care for homes. Whether it’s matching historic trim on a century-old porch, choosing LP SmartSide profiles that echo classic lap siding, or building a low-maintenance deck that still feels like warm wood, the details matter. Good materials, installed the right way, help homes age gracefully so the next generation can make their own festival memories on the same front steps.
From our family to yours, Happy Lumberjack Days. We hope it’s a weekend full of memories you’ll be talking about for years to come.
