Things started to turn around for the Borglums and their controversial tanks this week at the Waseca County Fair.

“It does my heart proud,” said Marie Borglum, in response to the support from fairgoers and invitations to other events they’ve received.

With plans on hold for a countryside military attraction featuring a tank racetrack and shooting ranges, the Borglum family gave tank rides opening day at the fair.

Originally, Richard Borglum said, they planned to just give free rides to veterans and their families. Then a local television station broadcast a feature on the tanks mistakenly announcing anyone could get a free ride.

In response to the misinformation, the fair board and the Borglums decided to open the rides up to everyone. As a result 750 people rode in one of the military armored personnel carriers on the fair’s racetrack Wednesday.

Others managed a last-chance ride Friday during a two-hour window at the fair when the track wasn’t under construction for the demolition derby scheduled later.

“Senior citizens, gals with babies, pregnant women, people with disabilities — a cross section of anybody you can think of rode,” said Marie Borglum. “People were checking us out.”

Eager passengers with bright green safety helmets stood in line behind a concrete barrier for their turn to ride in a British-made Fv432. The ‘50s tank, with the hatches open, was modified inside with two benches complete with safety belts. For added thrills and bumps, the driver ran the tank over two old cars, leaving a flatter version behind.

Nearby Borglum manned a small tent, gathering signatures. “We do have a lot of supporters,” she said, estimating about 100 people signed the petition and more just dropped by to offer encouragement.

“When we started, we didn’t want to involve the public,” she said. “That’s not how we conduct business.”

What started with Tony Borglum’s interest in military equipment led to the purchase of eight tanks and plans for a business venture on land where his parents, Richard and Marie Borglum, have a excavating and concrete recycling business.

The Borglums have been trying to open both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and a military-style obstacle course complete with tanks on their property north of Waseca on Highway 13.

They didn’t expect the opposition, which the family said has delayed, but not ended, their proposed project. Neighbors hired lawyers, presented petitions and cited noise and safety reasons at the packed meetings.

At one of those meetings Waseca County Board denied the conditional use permit they need. In addition, one of the two attorneys hired by their neighbors requested a moratorium on tanks and heavy equipment courses, indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and retail gun sales in the county. That request has been held over until the Aug. 2 board meeting.

Borglum said that when she came home Wednesday evening, there were three phone calls inviting them to other fairs and another call from someone out of state inquiring about rides for a birthday party.