Florence Labor Day: Community 'fired up' over celebration
The 69th annual Florence Labor Day Celebration was one of the best of recent memory.
Near-perfect weather brought spectators and participants who enjoyed a weekend of festivities and fun.
Organizers received positive comments from spectators, participants, and vendors.
Carnival Amusements was pleased with the community and want to return for next year's celebration.
Parade participants used the theme, "Florence Fired Up" to decorate floats, vehicles, and bicycles.
The parade drew applause as several hundred members of the Patriot Guard rode through on motorcycles.
Spectators enjoyed the sights and smells as 35 teams competed for $3,000 in first-place prize money in the KCBS barbecue cook-off competition.
The Sunday morning community service had a large turnout of worshipers followed by favorable attendance again Sunday evening at the gospel concert to hear local favorite, the Aulne Quartet.
This year's FFA barnyard Olympics was different with FFA teams from Peabody-Burns and Hillsboro competing along with the Marion-Florence team.
"Without the support of the community, sponsors, donations from various individuals and businesses, City of Florence crew, volunteer fire department, ambulance crew, and the Florence Labor Day committee, this event would not be possible," said Kelli Savage, Labor Day committee member.
Anyone with suggestions for next year should contact any committee member.
PARADE floats
Harvey House, first. Doyle Creek Land & Cattle Company, second. Florence PRIDE, third.
PARADE DECORATED BICYCLES
Jarrett McLinden, first. Zoey Uhrig, second. Angel Funk, third.
SIDEWALK CHALK
Pre-K and kindergarten: Alex Ramsey, first. Denver Roths, second. Aiden Allemang, third.
First and second grade: Megan Bailey, first. Margaret Beal, second. Callie Linnens, third.
Third and fourth grade: Caroline Beal, first. Shyla Harris, second. Adam Jantzen, third.
Fifth and sixth grade: Angel Funk, first.
Seventh grade through high school: Kaylyn Spencer, first. Shayna Britton, second.
KIDS GAMES
FOOT RACE
Pre-K and kindergarten: Corrina Crabb, first. Evann Heidebrecht, second.
First and second grade: Garrett Alleven, first. Dallas Rodriquez, second. Peyton Heidebrecht, third.
Third and fourth grade: Gunner Harris, first. Shyla Harris, second. David Gayle, third.
Fifth and sixth grade: Angel Funk, first. Taylor Heidebrecht, second. Britton Grinstead, third.
Seventh grade through high school: Zan Fine, first. Justin Heidebrecht, second. Nick Klenda, third.
SACK RACES
Pre-K and kindergarten: Evann Heidebrecht, first. Weston Summers, second. Tylon Ybarra, third.
First and second grade: Peyton Heidebrecht, first. Garrett Allevan, second. Seth Harris, third.
Third and fourth grade: Cody Shipman, first. Mathew Barden, second. Shyla Harris, third.
Fifth and sixth grade: Angel Funk, first. Taylor Heidebrecht, second. Ryan Nelson, third.
Seventh grade through high school: Nick Klenda, first. Jackie Gayle, second. Colton Johnson, third.
TURTLE RACES
Jayten Stephens, first. Karlee Fetrow, second. Shyla Harris, third.
BUTTON WINNER
Elein Maxwell
SPRING fling winner
Sandy Vetter, Marion
FLOrence Fire Dept. Raffle
Barry Slayden, Lehigh
SMOKER/grill Raffle
Regina Kimbrel, Marion
COW chip bingo WINNERS
Edmund Spencer, Florence, and Bennie Holtsclaw, Cedar Point.
Karaoke
Men's division: Phil Baldwin, first. Jay Nolan, second.
Women's division: Michelle Britton, first. Michelle Harder, second.
Kid's division: Angel Funk and Amber Austin, first. Carlyn, Ethan, and Troylson Avis, second.
SOAP box derby
Colin Williams, first. Sara Slifer, second. Krisde Robinson, third.
CAR SHOW
Class 1 — 1945 & Older: Gary Cooper, McPherson, 1931 Ford, first. Mike Hamilton, Wichita, 1941 Chevy Cabriolet, second. Harold Atwood, 1933 Ford, third.
Class 3 — 1954 to 1963: Jim Rodgers, Moundridge, 1957 Chev. Bel Aire, first. Norman Hacker, 1963 Chevy, second. Diana Sigel, Cottonwood Falls, 1959 Cadillac, third.
Class 4 — 1964 & Newer: Bill Pemberton, Independence, Mo., 1972 Oldsmobile, first. Chris Wallace, McPherson 1969 Chevy Camaro, second. Dwight Beckham, Marion, 1968 Dodge Charger, third.
Class 5 — Antique Trucks: Ted King, Towanda, 1948 Chevy, first. Lenny Wild, 1948 Studebaker, second. Kenneth Nightengale, 1936 Chev. half-ton, third.
Best of Show: Bill Pemberton, Independence, Mo., 1972 Oldsmobile.
Best of Paint: Jim Rodgers, Moundridge, 1957 Chev. Bel Aire.
