Hastings named a five-year-old its official greeter

Harvey Wetterlund's daily walks to say hello at the fire station, police station, and downtown shops earned him a key to the city.

Verified · Source: KDWAOct 6, 2026 · 1 min read

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Historic brick storefronts along Second Street in downtown Hastings at dusk — Downtown Hastings, Minnesota. Harvey is not pictured. Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Five-year-old Harvey Wetterlund, known around town as "Hastings Harvey," started taking daily walks with his parents, Joy and Ryan, after the family moved to Hastings from Washington state. The walks turned into a routine of hellos and hugs at the fire and police stations, Froth & Cork Coffeehouse, Downtown Tire & Auto, and other shops, KDWA reported on October 6, 2026.

On September 29, friends gathered at Froth & Cork for a surprise. Mayor Mary Fasbender gave Harvey a key to the city and read a proclamation naming him an honorary community ambassador and official greeter. "Kindness is free, right?" she said. Friends Bob Reudy and Tom Schmitt built and painted him a child-sized Adirondack chair with Hastings first responder logos.

Greg Kasel of Downtown Tire & Auto said Harvey yells hello to each of the mechanics by name as he walks by, and it makes the day better. Harvey's own advice is short: "Be a friend to everybody."