135th Annual 4th of July Celebration is Fast Approaching
By Crystal Howerton
An assortment of contests, entertainments and food that will surely delight all ages, the 135th annual Hurdland 4th of July celebration held July 3-4, 2007 will offer two days of fun that the entire family is sure to enjoy.
Festivities will kick off Tuesday afternoon with the celebration meal, serving sandwiches and drink followed by ice cream, pie and cake. Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Hurdland Baptist, Nazarene and Methodist Churches, Expressway, Lori Smith and Kevin Vannoy. Pre-registration for the Little Mr. and Ms. Firecracker Contest (ages 5-8) will be at 7:00 p.m. The winners will be announced at 8:00.
Wednesday’s festivities begin with the annual parade at 11:00 a.m. Over $300 in prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Religious Entry, Best of Parade, Best Horse Drawn Unit, Horses, Best Automobile, Best Bikes, Best Tractors, Best ATV’s, Best Fire Trucks and Best Band. Following the parade will be Reverend Robert Shobe and the National Anthem sung by Audrey Hamlin.
John Will Nicol is in charge of the salute to Veterans and 21 Gun Salute; there will also be an Armed Forces Active Duty Family Recognition sponsored by the American Legion after lunch.
Katelyn Gibson, winner of the $100 scholarship sponsored by the Hurdland 4th of July Committee is scheduled to attend.
The tractor show will be located on the west side of the square; tractor games will be after the parade and prizes. Registration for the car show will be from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places at 2:30 p.m. The first 35 entries will be rewarded with dash plaques.
The Knox County Community Band, Leon Shears & The Hollowpoint Band, and the Donna Ferguson Family will provide musical entertainment throughout the day. Other entertainments include the talent show. Pre-registration will be at 1:00 p.m; the talent contest is scheduled for 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Several other contests will be held including the basketball free-throw contest available to anyone aged eight and up, kids contests, the back seat drivers contest, and pinewood derby contest. A kids ground train, bounce room, miniature golf, quilt show and craft booths will also be available. The Hurdland museum will be open for viewing from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Following square dancing entertainment provided by the Rutledge Crosstrails, the pedal tractor pull and crosscut saw and nail driving contests will be held. At 6:00 p.m. family members will congregate to watch the much-anticipated baby contest. There will be separate boys and girls groups in four age divisions; pre-registration is not necessary.
Evening entertainment will be provided by the Aaron Russell Band & Lonnie Erwin. Drawings will be held at intervals throughout late afternoon and evening. The main drawings are scheduled for just prior to the fireworks display. The first place prize is an oak china hutch made by Ernie and Konnie Diekmann, second prize is a gas barbecue grill and third place receives a patio glider donated by Buddy and Dorothy Funk of Hurdland.
At approximately 10:15 crowds will settle down to view the fireworks display. This year’s sponsors for the display are Doss Funeral Home, Northeast Missouri CO-OP (Edina); Lewis County REC and The Farm Shop. The annual celebration is organized by the Hurdland 4th of July Committee chaired by Maureen Mayer.
(For a complete listing of events and times see ad elsewhere, this issue.)
