The Minot BX took Exchange history to the streets with a float in North Dakota’s largest parade, which kicked off the North Dakota State Fair in Minot on July 22. The Minot team’s float celebrated the Exchange’s 128 years of service.
Inspired by the fair’s 2023 theme, “Diggin’ into North Dakota’s History,” the float was decorated with the 128th anniversary logo and photos from Exchange history, ranging from one of the earliest post exchanges in the late 1890s at Fort Yellowstone, Wyoming, to a mobile field Exchange that served troops at the tip of the spear in 2017.
This was the second time Team Minot participated in the parade. The Minot Exchange had a float in the 2019 parade, and enjoyed the experience so much that the team decided to make a return appearance. General Manager Kyle Omler, Recruiting Manager Tammy Sack and Visual Merchandiser Maurice Greene led the design of the 2023 float.
Twenty-three Exchange associates, their families and friends waved to the crowd from atop and alongside the float. Leading the way, in a bright red Mustang sporting American flags, was Neal Barlich, end-user computer technician with the Minot Exchange and 20-year Air Force Veteran.
“We were very pleased to join the parade and show how honored we are to serve the heroes that wear our Nation’s uniform,” Omler said.
Main Store Manager Elea Vournas, who participated in the parade, said he and his teammates had a lot of fun handing out more than 1,300 bubble containers and waving to the crowds. “Seeing the smiling faces of the children in the crowd was great,” he said. “We truly are ‘Family Serving Family.’”
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