City of Whalan

The town of Whalan began with a population of 156 people. That was in 1876. Today, the number of people in this village on the Root River is somewhere in the 60s. The town was established in 1868 on land donated by John Whaalahan. After removing a few letters, the town took the moniker of Whalan. This scenic town, with the Root River Trail running right down its center, enjoys its small-town reputation. In fact, this town is so small that it is not big enough to have a moving parade. Instead, each year on the third weekend of May, Whalan holds its “Standstill Parade.” In this event, the parade stays stationary in the middle of the street and the spectators walk around and visit with the people on the floats! Another Whalan tradition is the annual fast-pitch softball tournament, held as part of the town’s Fourth of July celebration.