Redneck in Ramona is 4th of July theme
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
Ramona's annual 4th of July celebration begins at 8 a.m. with The Redneck Run — a two-mile fun run that starts at the corner of 4th and D (in front of Cousin's Corner Bed and Breakfast).
Prizes will be awarded for top finishers in each age category, as well as runners with the best "redneck" attire. Registration is $10 prior to the event, and $13 the day of the event. Those who register by Monday will have a "Redneck Run" T-shirt in time for the race.
Byron and Julie Noeth are coordinators, 785-965-2249.
A country breakfast also begins at 8 a.m. at the Ramona Senior Center, 3rd and D. The breakfast features biscuits and gravy (beef or sausage), scrambled eggs (from the mayor's own chickens), along with orange juice, coffee, and milk. Donations for the breakfast are shared between the Ramona Senior Center and the Park Improvement Committee.
Sports competitions begin in the city park in the early afternoon with horseshoes at 2 p.m. This event is coordinated by the Remmers Brothers (Eugene and Kenny), who are renowned horseshoe players in this area.
Three-on-three basketball begins at 3p.m. in the park. Competition levels are grades one-six, grades seven-nine, high school, and adults. Girls' teams are encouraged. John Antoszyk runs this competition.
Tractors are needed for the tractor show in city park from 3 to 6 p.m. Trophies will be awarded for best restored, unrestored, judge's favorite, oldest in show, and best decorated to theme (which is redneck livin' down on the farm). Coordinator of this event is Jeannie Goza, 785-366-0931.
Food is always a fun part of the 4th of July. Feeding the crowd this year will be DL Concession from Herington, which will open at noon in Ramona, followed by the Knights of Columbus with their famous sausage, and if corn arrives in time Jirak Farms will feature corn on the cob. The Ramona seniors will offer cake at the cake walk which begins at 5 p.m., as well as ice cream and drinks.
The parade begins at 7 p.m. and runs from north to south on D Street, which is Ramona's main street. Bring your own chairs, or sit on hay bales provided.
Come join in the parade. The theme is an easy one — it's all about living down on the farm. Look up a redneck joke, depict a country western song, or just drive down the street on your tractor with your grandkids. Entering the parade is free! Prize categories are: floats (on truck bed or truck and trailer), single entry (bike, motorcycle, car, tractor, wagons, skates, stilts, on foot, on horseback, or with animals), Kid entries (12 and under), service vehicles (fire department, sheriff, ambulance — please dress in theme), and town spirit (best float from a neighboring town.) Prizes will be awarded.
Registration for the parade begins at 6 p.m. in the city park, which is on 4th Street.
Keeping folks entertained between parade and fireworks will be live music by Jack Emig and Jesse Nelson of Abilene and Solomon, Belgian horse and wagon rides with Jonas Frantz of Tampa, a dance exhibition by students of Lana's Let's Dance of Herington, a pie eating contest for the kids and corn eating contest for the adults, and a watermelon crawl for folks of all ages.
The Redneck Relay promises to have everyone laughing as competitors dress in redneck clothes, push each other in recliners, roll tires, toss cow chips, and other zany tasks.
The grand finale of Ramona's 4th "Redneck Rockets," a fireworks display that gets bigger and better every year. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m., at Freedom's Field on the south end of Ramona.
This town celebration was planned by Mayor Pat Wick, vice mayor Art Stroda, council members Jeannie Goza, Kathy Werth, former mayor Connie Smith, senior center president Marlene Anduss, and residents Byron and Julie Noeth, Tim Steinborn, Tonya Stroda, John Antoszyk, Eugene Remmers, Kenny Remmers, Ben Thompson, and Jessica Gilbert, who also coordinates the event. For more information, call Gilbert, 785-965-7110.
