BEMIDJI β Though Unicon is an international event bringing people together from all over the world, it was a special homecoming for one of this year's participants.
Dane Jorento graduated from Bemidji High ΝαΝαΒώ» in 1979 and felt nostalgic coming back to Bemidji for the two-week unicycle championship. He became a self-taught unicyclist at age 12 and recently got back into it after a 40-year break.
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βI donβt even know why I got back into it again, but Iβm glad I did,β Jorento said with a smile. βIt has been so fun and it is so inspirational seeing all of these talented people at Unicon.β
Jorento grew up in Solway before moving to St. Paul to attend the University of Minnesota and later becoming a mental health therapist. Even after all these years, the Bemidji area still holds a special place in his heart so he was excited when he heard the news that Bemidji would be the host of Unicon 21.
βItβs such a wonderful town,β Jorento remarked. βEveryone is so friendly. I miss it and it is nostalgic being here.β
He noted how much he appreciated the scenery of Lake Bemidji as he participated in Uniconβs Loop the Lake event earlier this week.
βCycling around the lake, it was so scenic,β Jorento shared. βItβs so fun. Unicycling is such fun exercise. Biking is not as hard, so when you are on your unicycle in a place like this it just feels like freedom.β
As two weeks of unicycle-centered fun came to a close on Friday, Jorento and other participants competed in a criterium event at the Sanford Center parking lot by racing several laps on a circuit road course, navigating the many twists and turns. This was followed by the street finals later in the day.
A highlight for Jorento about the championship, and unicycling as a whole, is how it not only unites people from around the world, it also attracts and creates a welcoming space for people of all ages.
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The age range in the criterium on Friday was quite broad, with 6-year-old Piper Augenstein as the youngest competitor and 72-year-old Bill Gilbertson as the oldest.
βWhen I saw them together I knew I had to take a picture,β Jorento remarked following the race. βUnicycling really is for everyone.β
βAn amazing timeβ
As BSU graduate and Unicon co-director Kirsten Goldstein reflected on the two-week event, she shared how she and her fellow unicyclists were feeling the same exciting energy as on the opening day.
βThe amount of positive feedback from the competitors, participants and local Bemidjians has been amazing,β Goldstein said. βI think that opening ceremony energy has really carried through, and everyone has said itβs been an amazing time.β
Goldstein was an influential voice in bringing Unicon 21 to Bemidji, and she has been left in awe of how the community has not only embraced the event but also stepped in to help all along the way.
βYou know with an event on this scale, you are always going to have a few hiccups,β Goldstein noted. βWe ran out of volunteer shirts on day three. We donβt get that often with Unicon. We sold out because of the unprecedented and really unexpected amount of Bemidji locals who volunteered. So if youβre going to have a problem, thatβs the one to have.β
She noted how at events such as the opening ceremony and flaming puck hockey event there were more Bemidji locals than unicyclists present, leaving her amazed and proud.
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βSo many people have told me, βThe people are so nice here!ββ Goldstein added. βEveryoneβs been really surprised by people wanting to get to know them in town and at the restaurants here. The Unicon participants have just loved it β we really gave them a good Minnesotan experience.β
She left off by sharing her appreciation for the many Unicon participants who traveled far and wide to join in the bi-annual event.
βWith a small town, our presence is really heavy and bold, and Bemidji embraced us with open arms,β she said. βI hope we send off all of our participants with a lot of good memories.β
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