Tri-State Drilling will provide grand marshals for the Hamel Rodeo Parade, which will kick-off at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 12 on Hamel Road in Hamel. Here, crews from Tri-State worked on the largest project in its 54 year history - an electric power transmission line that spanned 220 miles from northern Minnesota to central Wisconsin.

The Hamel Rodeo Parade is returning to Hamel Road in Hamel at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 12 with Tri-State Drilling serving as grand marshals.

A 54-year-old family run business, Tri-State Drilling is located on Highway 55 in Plymouth - just up the road from Hamel. Robert Melcher, Ralph Eisele and Wayne Riethmiller founded the company in 1955. Melcher still serves as Tri State's chairman of the board and chief executive officer.

Descendents of the three founders hold key positions at Tri-State. James M. Melcher, son of Robert is president; Randy Eisele, son of Ralph, is a vice-president and Mark Riethmiller, son of Wayne also is a vice-president.

Foresight on the part of Tri-State's founding families has kept the company in business all these years. As times changed, so did the company's business.

Tri-State began as a municipal well contractor and pump supplier with four employees and co-owners. Wayne Riethmiller served as driller, Ralph Eisele as driller's helper, Clarence Berthiaume as mechanic and Bob Melcher as pump salesman.

In the 1960s, Tri-State gradually shifted its focus from drilling for water to drilling in order to remove water. The company developed techniques for opening and maintaining wet holes, allowing its crews to install dewatering pumps. During this time, Tri State began to install drilled foundations for buildings.

In the 1970s, Tri-State's ability to maintain wet holes enabled its crews to install foundations in wet soils. The company also developed techniques for quick and easy mobilization. These came in handy during work for utility companies.

By the 1980s, power line foundation work provided over half of the company's business. In the late 1980s, Tri-State was discovered by the wireless industry, whose need for towers exploded in the mid-1990s.

In 2008, Tri-State completed the largest project in its history - an electric power transmission line that spanned 220 miles from northern Minnesota to central Wisconsin.

Today, the lion's share of Tri-State's work is for power line contractors. The company also has drilled foundations for bridges at the St. Louis River in Cloquet and on Interstate 80 between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Neb. Meanwhile, many buildings in the Twin City area - including the Hennepin County Government Center - sit on Tri-State foundations.

At the Hamel Rodeo Parade, representatives of Tri-State will lead an entourage consisting of new and traditional attractions, like classic Model T cars, fire engines, military flag bearers and floats entered by area groups. St. Anne's Catholic Church, of Hamel, is celebrating 75 years and will serve hot dogs, popcorn and beverages along the parade route and on site.

In connection with the Rodeo Parade, the Uptown Hamel Business Group and the Hamel Post Office are accepting donations for Care packages to be sent to American military personnel serving overseas. Bring nonperishable donations to the parade on July 12, or them drop off at the Hamel Post Office, 105 Hamel Rd. or the Farmers State Bank of Hamel, 145 Hamel Road before July 12.

Suggestions for donated items include, but are not limited to nonperishable fruit snacks, raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, beef jerky, granola bars, cereal bars, popcorn, Chex Mix, potato chips, gum, AT&T Prepaid International Phone Cards, playing cards, reading material, shampoo, hand sanitizer, tooth paste, tooth brush, sunscreen, Gatorade, ponchos, blankets and flashlights.

For more parade information contact Claire at 612-801-3994 or visit www.uptownhamel.com or www.hamelrodeo.org

The Rodeo Parade will be part of the four-day long Hamel Rodeo weekend, Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12. Rodeo performances will take place at Corcoran Lions Park, corner of County Roads 10 and 101. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. each day, and a kids' day matinee will be offered at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 11.