The summer of 2004 in Buffalo was one for the record books. Not weather-wise, but community-pride wise. If you took a stroll or drove through town, odds were you'd spot a buffalo or two - or twenty, on your journey. Did you notice that remarkable bison sporting fins? Or how about that vibrant crimson creature - complete with a warrior and a buffalo nickel on its side? Sound amazing? You bet it was. Thanks to a fundraising project, called the Buffalo Roundup Art Project by the Buffalo Rodeo Committee, twenty large buffaloes were hanging around town all summer long. There were twenty-three tabletop sized bison rounding out the eclectic herd, too. These special critters even helped to make the widespread road construction more bearable.

The buffalo invasion happened because the rodeo wanted a unique way to mark this season's 50th year of the "Granddaddy" of all rodeos, while also raising much-needed funds in the process. Thankfully, attendance at the 50th rodeo in June "was the best in ten years," noted Craig Swandal, Rodeo Committee Chair, which helped their cause as well.

But there is much work to do: they are in need of a new arena, as well as monies for tackling other projects, including redoing the fencing and layout. The arena is also the home base for the Buffalo Saddle Club and the Stars and Stirrups Saddle club and holds events such the demo derby and horse shows. All funds raised from the roundup will go to help keep the longest running rodeo in Minnesota going strong.

The concept was the brainchild of Lloyd Christenson, a member of the Buffalo Rodeo Committee. His company, FiberStock, Inc. (which creates and distributes fiberglass statues across the country) supplied the statues for the project.

Local businesses, organizations and individuals sponsored these buffalo that were then displayed outside their establishments for the summer.

It was earlier this year when the call for artists went forth. Over 150 artists from around the state (and beyond) went through the application and design process and a selection committee narrowed it down to the final artists. Those selected received a $500 stipend for supplies and went about transforming the fiberglass bison into distinctive works of art.

This was a highly ambitious undertaking for the nonprofit Buffalo Rodeo Committee, and a massive project - both figuratively and literally - for the artists. Artist Wayne Hein had estimated that the actual size of the creatures was close to 80 square feet.

The most difficult aspect of the project for Meredith Johanson, in fact, was "getting my mind around how big that buffalo was!" Johanson and Diane Paulu opted to undergo the process together, since they both have full-time jobs, but as it was, they ended up creating two large buffaloes, "Buffalo Fish" and "Cave Art."

"It was an incredible learning experience," noted Johanson. "An opportunity to grow."

"It was a nice challenge - getting back into 3-D work again," said Paulu. "The best aspect for me was seeing the joy that it brought to people."

John Petermeier from Watertown also participated in the roundup, creating a Native-American-themed tabletop bison entitled "Mystic Warrior."

"It was such a unique type of project," said Petermeier. "It's hard to resist something so different from the normal scheme of things."

The decorated fiberglass-based buffalo were then clear-coated and dispersed about town for the masses - who came from near and far - to enjoy.

Christenson commented that many people and businesses around town stepped up to the fundraising plate. From the sponsors, to the Buffalo Art Guild members, who helped to guide the committee in the right artistic direction, to the creative students who pitched in at the elementary through high school level, the response and results were wonderful.

Christenson added that countless photographs were taken of the buffalo - often with children standing beside them - but also with people of all ages capturing these one-of-a-kind creatures, including a senior home in Delano that scheduled an entire day's outing around them. The fact that the bison remained free from vandalism all summer long is another testament of the pride of the Buffalo community, he added.

Swandal, too, witnessed many people stopping in their tracks to take in and appreciate the buffaloes.

"I wonder how many loads of film were developed," he stated with a chuckle. There will also be a tabletop buffalo for auction that was autographed by top-notch rodeo stars, said Swandal, indicating that any of the tabletop buffalo "would fit perfectly on a living room mantel."

Now that summer has passed, all of the buffaloes will be corralled; appearing for the first time together under one roof at the Buffalo Roundup Celebration, held on Saturday, September 18, from 9 to 12 at the Buffalo Civic Center.

That morning, the herd will be on display and many of their artists and sponsors will be there as well. This free event is a great opportunity for people to sip some coffee and stroll through the vast array of buffaloes. They can also visit with some of the talented artists, a nice percentage of which, hail from Buffalo.

This is a precursor to the upcoming Grand Western Finale Auction, which will take place at the Wild Marsh Golf Club on the evening of Saturday, September 25.

Also on display at the Civic Center will be the "Welcome Home" buffalo, created by local artist Howard Burgdorf. Johanson is chairperson of Keep the Buffalo Home, a community project to collectively purchase this stunning piece of work, which vividly illustrates important landmarks, including Buffalo Lake and Lake Pulaski. They are looking for donations to buy the bison and place it permanently near the Welcome Home sign by Sturges Park.

Swandal and Christenson extended their gratitude to the entire community on behalf of the rodeo committee for supporting them so wholeheartedly on this project.

Johanson, however, voiced a special thanks to the rodeo committee for bringing such a grand event to the streets of her town.

"I loved seeing our community rally around the buffalo," she shared. "I would love to see something like this happen again. Our community has been the big winner all summer long."

The Grand Western Finale Auction takes place Saturday, September 25 at the Wild Marsh Golf Club.

Social Hour is from 5:00-6:00. This western-themed dinner, with three main dish options of sirloin of beef, stuffed chicken breast or vegetarian fettuccini, will be served from 6:00-7:30. The auction begins at 7:30, and continues until all buffaloes are sold. Ticket price is $50.00 and can be purchased by contacting the Buffalo Roundup at buffaloroundup@aol.com or by phone at 763-218-5273.

The bidding for the tabletop buffalo begin at $500. The minimum bid for the large buffalo is $2,000. For those unable to attend, online bidding is an option as well. Just log onto: www.buffaloround up.com for full information.

Commemorative books are also on sale and include photographs of every decorated statue, as well as artist interviews and insights on the inspiration behind these great, decorated beasts. This collector's item is available at most of the sponsor locations - for a cost of $10.00. If preferred, you can order the book by mail for a cost of $12.00 (which includes the $2.00 shipping and handling fee) to: Buffalo Roundup, 6069 County Road 33 SE, Buffalo, MN 55313.

Donations for the "Keep the Buffalo Home" project can be mailed to 212 Central Ave., Buffalo, MN 55313. FYI: Meredith Johanson: 763-682-3130.