South St. Paul: Season of Service

By Jimmy Francis | South St. Paul Mayor | October 2026

October in South St. Paul has always had its own heartbeat, and nothing kicks it off better than the On the Road Again Festival featuring the World Championship Booya. It’s one of those classic days where you can walk down the street and see half the people you know, smell the Booya before you see it, and feel the pride before you taste it. It’s loud, it’s fun, it’s familiar, and it reminds us right away that community isn’t an idea here in 55075, it’s something we live together.

Right after that big weekend, the city settles into what I call our Season of Service. It’s the stretch of October where the noise of the festival fades and the quiet work of community rises. You see it in the early morning leaf‑rakers who help a neighbor without being asked. You see it in the people who pick up litter along the trails because they want the next person’s walk to be a little nicer. You see it in the volunteers who show up at our nonprofits, schools and churches to lend a hand during one of the busiest times of the year.

City staff lean into service too. Public Works crews start prepping equipment for winter. Fire and police teams run safety checks and community training. Residents check smoke detectors, clean gutters, and get their homes ready for the colder months. None of it is glamorous, but all of it matters. It’s the kind of work that keeps South St. Paul steady when the snow flies and the temperatures drop.

Our local businesses play a role in this season as well. After Booya, they start gearing up for the holidays. They hire staff, refresh storefronts and plan events that bring people together. When you shop local in October, you’re not just buying something, you’re supporting the people who invest in our community every single day.

Schools add their own energy. Students volunteer, join service clubs and take part in fall activities that build leadership and teamwork. Teachers and staff put in extra hours to help students settle into the rhythm of the year. Parents juggle schedules, sports, concerts and homework. It’s all part of the same spirit. Service isn’t only about volunteering. It’s about showing up for one another.

Our parks and trails shine at this time of year. Families take fall walks. Kids play under trees that look hand‑painted. Volunteers help clear brush and keep our green spaces welcoming. These small acts matter. They make our parks places where everyone feels comfortable and proud to spend time.

As mayor, I get to see all of this up close. I see the volunteers who show up without being asked. I see the city staff who go the extra mile. I see the residents who quietly make South St. Paul better every day. It reminds me that progress isn’t only measured in projects or budgets, it’s measured in people showing up for one another.

And then, just when the month starts to wind down, we hit the other bookend: the Great Halloween Get‑Together on Marie Avenue. Kids in costumes, families lining the street, neighbors laughing and reconnecting. It’s the perfect capstone to the Season of Service. It’s a celebration of everything October represents here: Community. Tradition. Togetherness.

This October, I encourage everyone to find one way to serve. It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to be formal. It just has to come from the heart. Check on a neighbor. Support a local business. Volunteer for an hour. Pick up some trash along the sidewalk. Attend a community meeting. Help a student with homework. Every act adds up and every act strengthens the fabric of our city.

South St. Paul has always been defined by its people. We work hard. We care deeply. We take pride in where we live. The Season of Service is our chance to celebrate that. It’s our chance to recognize the everyday heroes who make this city feel like home. And it’s our chance to carry that spirit forward into the colder months ahead.

South St. Paul shines brightest when we serve. October proves it every year.

With Love from South St. Paul,
Mayor Francis

View past articles from this year!
How long-term planning shapes our future (September)
Exploring South St. Paul: A kid’s guide that still holds up (August)
South St. Paul at 250: A community shaped by its people, past and present (July)
Exploring South St. Paul this summer: events, shade, safety and outdoor fun (June)
The power of civic engagement in South St. Paul (May)
Accessibility is a civil right (April)
Carrying forward a vision of harmony and responsible stewardship in 2026 (March)
Harmony begins at home (February)
Harmony, optimism, and 250 years of progress (January)

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