WHEN IT COMES to branding, everything is coming up roses in Kenyon. Literally.
This community of just under 2,000 identifies itself via its Boulevard of Roses which is, indeed, a rose-filled boulevard on Minnesota State Highway 60/Gunderson Boulevard. For blocks along this heavily-traveled roadway on the west side of downtown, tree roses grow, blooming beauty into the landscape.
Recently, I stopped to smell the roses. Literally. I dipped my nose into the perfume-scented flowers, delighting in their fragrance as semi trucks and other motor vehicles blew by me only feet away. Smelling the roses here requires caution. I’ve often wished Kenyon had a public rose garden, allowing for rose viewing, and smelling, in a peaceful setting.
But that the city has this, this Boulevard of Roses, is a gift. Back in 1962, city employee Lloyd Jystad asked to plant 10 tree roses to spruce up the boulevard. Permission granted. He cared for the rose bushes, which require burying in the ground before winter and then uncovering in the spring. From that initial request, the rose idea grew to include some 100 bushes, which are still cared for by city employees today. The Boulevard of Roses was dedicated in June 1968. That’s a long time of growing and tending roses.
Throughout Kenyon, roses bloom. In many ways, it’s remarkable for a community this small to have such a strong identifier. But I saw roses everywhere during a recent visit, far beyond the real ones that bloom along the highway. The red rose symbol graces many a sign in Kenyon.
The city also celebrates roses in August with the Kenyon Rose Fest, this year August 14-18. It’s your typical small town summer celebration with fest royalty, a parade, a car and truck show, vendor and craft market, great food, and more. Mostly, Rose Fest is about connecting people and community. It brings folks together to celebrate small town life.
I often wonder if motorists, as they drive through Kenyon in their hurry from Point A to Point B, even notice the beauty they’re passing by in the Boulevard of Roses. I’m here to say it’s worth your time to stop, exit your vehicle and smell the roses. Life is much sweeter when we slow down and appreciate the nuances of small towns like Kenyon with its Boulevard of Roses.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a fun thing to be known for. Those roses are so beautiful—- I can almost smell them.
I know you love flowers as much as me. 🙂
I’m having an “it’s a small world” moment here. Kenyon, Minnesota was named (according to Wikipedia) in 1856 for Kenyon College in Ohio. I can only assume one of the town’s founders attended Kenyon (founded in 1824). Linda’s father taught chemistry at Kenyon College for 30+ years and one of the lecture halls in the college’s science building is named for him. Small world indeed! 😉
Your father-in-law must have been an amazing chemistry professor to have a lecture hall named after him. Small world, indeed. Now you need to make a road trip to Kenyon and smell the roses there.
He was a well-respected institution at Kenyon. I met some of his former students – professionally – over the years, and they all remembered him as an inspiring teacher.
That’s what we hope for and want, an inspiring teacher.
it all sounds lovely, and what. lovely thing to be known for, or discovered, if not.
Yes, roses tagged to a town seems a pretty sweet thing.
How can you not have a GREAT Day when you see flowers as well as stop to take the time to admire them 🙂 Enjoy your day! You made my day!
I fully agree. So happy I made your day with this post about roses.