Freedom was theme of Burdick's parade
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
An unexpectedlya rainy weekend that brought anywhere from five to 10 inches to Marion and Morris counties resulted in a large turnout for the Burdick Labor Day parade.
Estimates ranged from 2,500 to 3,000 people, as parade viewers lined the entire Main Street from the railroad tracks to 340th.
Many of the almost 70 entries sported red, white, and blue colors and followed the theme, "Let Freedom Ring." Judges were Eileen Sieger of Marion, Jessica Gilbert of Ramona, and Neysa Eberhard of Emporia. Lee Remy was announcer.
Prize winners were:
Theme prize — Centre Boy Scouts.
Judges Prize — Miss Liberty, Sharon Ballard of Burdick.
Most Humorous — Lois Peterson.
Floats — 1) Hebron Lutheran Church; 2) Heartland Travel; 3) Class of 1933, Norman Miller and LaVerna Peterson.
Clowns — 1) Wayne Lowry, Hillsboro; 2) Micayla Stika, Burdick.
Antique cars and trucks — 1) Harold Dix, Delavan, 1929 Model A; 2) Robert Novak, 1943 Ford Army Jeep.
Classic/collectible cars — 1) Don Anderson, Emporia, 1995 Buick LeSabre convertible, carrying grand marshals Paul and Leona Anderson; 2) Ken Biehler, Herington, 1964 Supersport Chevelle.
Antique tractors — 1) Earl Forsberg, Burdick 1937 John Deere B; 2) Buck Sangwin, White City, 1951 IB Allis Chalmers.
Children's entries — 1) Alex Stika, Burdick, on pedal tractor pulling his little sister; 2) Ashlyn and Aaron Biehler, Herington.
Miscellaneous — 1) Glenn Knuth, Emporia, collection of tools; 2) McPherson Youth Pipe and Drum Band.
Horses — Burdick Hustlers 4-H Club.
Horse-drawn — 1) Burdick Senior Citizens; 2) Cottonwood Miniature Horses, Marion.
Musical entertainment was provided by the Hieberts of Abilene, Alex Stuchlik Polka Band, and a new group, the McPherson Youth Pipe and Drum Band, made up of youth ages 12 to 18.
Centre FFA served approximately 450 barbequed-pork meals at noon. Burdick Methodist Church prepared 83 gallons of ice cream served throughout the day.
Pedal Power tractor pull — The pedal power contest attracted a large group of participants. Winners were:
Age 4 - Sarah Loomis, Hannah Peterson, Katrina Basore.
Age 5 — Kyle Riffel, Sam Whitman, Chelsea Cowart.
Age 6 — Sami Steiner, Austin Cook, Nellie Kassebaum.
Age 7 — Maria Traskovsky, Cuyler Cowart, Caleb Kristek.
Age 8 — Justin Loomis, Spencer Yenni, Justin Deines.
Age 9 — Trey Jackson, Joshua Moore, Dylan Svitak.
Age 10 — Benjamin Wirtz, William Patton, Jacob Jirak.
Age 11 — Amanda Steinle, Christ Whitman, Ryan Yenni.
Age 12 — Adam Kristek, Josh Leach, Nathan Barney.
Fun run — At least 67 runners participated in the morning two-mile fun run. The men's overall winner was Todd Stahlecker of Lincolnville, with a time of 12:34. Kelly Tindel of Hutchinson won the women's overall, with a time of 14:56.
Other winners were:
12 and under — men, Alex Hajek and Tanner Brunner; women, Carlye Simons and Shelby Deines.
Ages 20-29 — men, Brian Marten and Joe Abel; women, Melissa Corbett and Sara Denly.
Ages 30-39 — men, Chad Wilkins and Matt Liebentritt; women, Caci Liebentritt and Jenny Schrader.
Ages 40-49 — men, Gary Fike and Tracy Brunner; women, Yvonne Brunner and Julie Kerbs.
Ages 50-59 — men, Gerald Sanders and Gary Krause; women, Sandra Deines and Karen Patton.
Ages 60-69 — men, Father Paul Oborny and Bruce Hedstrom; women, Helen Jansen and Gloria Peterson.
Age 70 and over — men, Roger Peterson and Rolland Peterson; women, Marie Thornton and Mary Deane Peterson.
The Burdick Senior Citizens float brought up the rear of the parade. It carried the slogan: "If we're still here, we will see you next year."
Organizers might concur, but were pleased with the day. Announcer Lee Remy told the crowd about the efforts required by the tiny community to put on the Labor Day Celebration year after year. He said when talk of possibly skipping a year is tossed about, the conclusion always is: "We can't help but have one next year."
Judging by the turnout, a lot of people are counting on it.
