Wet weather doesn't dampen spirits at celebration
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Despite unpredictable cool, wet weather, large crowds gathered in Marion Friday and Saturday to celebrate the seventh annual Chingawassa Days.
Instead of fighting heat, people were comfortably cool. The temperature failed to climb out of the 60s Saturday. Light sprinkles fell during the morning but, fortunately, thunderstorms forecast for the evening did not materialize.
More than 1,000 people enjoyed the Friday night barbecue under clear, blue skies. Marion National Bank sponsors said the bank served 150 more meals this year than last. The barbecue was followed by free ice cream provided by St. Luke Hospital.
The classic rock band, Soul Preachers, was a hit. According to Gene Winkler, the crowd kept the band going until 11:30 p.m. at Friday's dance.
Sprinkles began falling Saturday morning, but that didn't keep people from lining both sides of Main Street at 10 a.m. for the traditional bed races sponsored by Tampa State Bank.
Winners in the boys' division were: Hett Construction, first, Bearly Makin' It Antiques, second, and Marion Fire Department, third; Winners in the girls' division were Hannaford Abstract, first, Hett Construction, second, and Carlsons' IGA, third.
The Courthouse DareDevils entertained the crowd and provided the "best-decorated" bed. They received $100.
A variety of food, activities, and entertainment was available in Central Park throughout the day.
Marion Kiwanis Club members were busy three hours in the morning preparing pancakes and sausage for visitors. Various food stands provided such things as roasted corn on the cob, kettle corn, funnel cakes, and Indian tacos. Central National Bank provided free watermelon and bingo in the middle of the afternoon.
Bubble Man
A highlight of the morning was a presentation by Ron Tibbetts of Wichita. Calling himself "Bubble Man" and "Science Maniac," he used numerous shapes and forms dipped into a soap and water solution to create many sizes of bubbles. He interjected various science and math concepts.
His performance was a special delight to young children but was entertaining to youth and adults, as well.
Tibbets was in charge of programs and exhibits at the Omnisphere in Wichita before it closed in 2001. Now, he is self-employed and entertains at various events in Kansas and surrounding states.
Other entertainment included a yo-yo demonstration, gunfighters, anvil shoot, miniature horse demonstrations, chain saw artists at work, Alex Stuchlik Polka Band, Vicki's School of Dance, mule rides, and numerous amusements for children.
Adults appeared to enjoy the dunk tank provided as a fund raiser by Marion firefighters. They took pleasure in watching people like Judge Michael Powers and Dave Hett of Hett Construction getting drenched.
In a remote-controlled car racing contest, Stacey Sawyer was adult winner and Allen Cochran won the kids' division.
Wood-carved items sold at auction ranged from $380 to $85. According to Chris Costello, the auction brought slightly more than the price paid to the chain saw artists.
The evening concerts by Synergy and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils were attended by a crowd of 900 to 1,000 people, according to Winkler. He surmised that the somewhat smaller crowd was due to the weather, as well as conflicting events.
The temperature dropped considerably by the end of the evening, making it difficult for concert-goers to stay warm.
The sponsors were pleased with the weekend and deemed it a success.
"In my opinion, considering the weather, everything went well," said committee woman Susan Cooper. "We appreciate very much the support from the city, chamber of commerce, and community. It gets better every year."
Cooper said entertainers from outside the area who come to the event always comment about the "wonderful" town and park and a "well-organized" event.
Committee chairman Gene Winkler said everything went smoothly. "The volunteers were great, it was a super day, and the whole weekend was great," he said.
He was pleased to report the event made some money this year, providing seed money for another Chingawassa Days celebration a year from now.
