Hurdland 4th of July Event Celebrates 136 Years

 

By Crystal Howerton

Hurdland will host its 136th annual Fourth of July Celebration on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4th, 2008.

Festivities will kick off Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. with a celebration meal of pork loin, hamburgers with chips, ice cream, pie, cake and drink. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Hurdland Baptist, Nazarene and Methodist churches from 5 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the Aaron Russell Band at 6:00 p.m.

Pre-registration for the Mr. and Ms. Firecracker Contest will start at 7:00 p.m. for children ages five through eight. The contest, sponsored by the Bon-Air Motel, Edina, is at 7:30 p.m. Blackout Bingo will go on throughout the contest, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Aaron Russell Band will resume at 8:00 and play until 9:00 p.m. Two drawings will be held throughout the evening.

The annual parade will start at 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning; this year’s parade royalty are Red and Eveline McCarty of Hurdland, MO. Over $500 in prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Religious Entry, Best of Parade, Horses, Best Automobile, Best Bikes, Best Tractors, Best ATV’s Best Fire Trucks, Best Band. Parade sponsors include Hamlin Bros. Construction, LLC, Edina, MO; Stoner Construction, Hurdland, MO and Hawkins Insurance Group, Edina, MO. Parade winners will be announced from the stage following the parade. For more information contact Ernie Diekmann.

At 11:30 a.m. Verna Marie Hamlin will give opening remarks followed by Devon Hagerla singing the National Anthem, and John Will Nicol with the Salute to Veterans and 21 Gun Salute. The Knox County Band will entertain from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. and then Hurdland 4th of July Scholarship winner Shane Clouse is scheduled to appear.
At 12:30 p.m. the Tractor Show will start on the west side of the square; tractor games will be played after the parade and announcement of prizes, as well as a Poker Run. For more information contact Lynn Douglas, Kenny Cooper or Keith Spory. Also at 12:30, pre-registration begins for the talent contest. Then, at 12:45 the American Legion will host an Armed Forces Active Duty Family Recognition. Bingo will be open from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. on the west side of the park. The museum, on the northeast corner of the square, opens at 1 o’clock as well, and closes at 7:00 p.m.

Registration/participant voting for the car show is on Friday from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. The car show will start on the south side of the square at 1:00 p.m. Dash plaques will be given to the first 35 cars, as well as first, second and third place trophies to the winners in each category. Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m. at the stage area. For more information contact John and Sherrie Hayes.

The basketball free-throw contest, sponsored by BEL LLC Crow’s Seed, Hurdland, MO; Hunter Body Shop & Auto Sales, Edina, MO; Harrison Fish Farm, Hurdland, MO and Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, Edina, MO, will start at 1:00 p.m. Cash prizes will be given away in Boys and Girls Divisions (ages 8-10; 11-13; 14-16; 17-19) and Adult divisions. Contact Darin Yoakum for more information.

The Talent Contest will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Sponsors for the contest are Edina Sale Barn, Edina, MO and Perrigo Body Shop, Edina, MO. The O’Roark Brothers, Kansas City, MO, will perform from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the stage and again from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Also at 2:00 p.m. are the kids’ contests on the north side of the park, sponsored by Mark Twain Rural Telephone Company, Hurdland, MO. Contact Jennie Sparks for more information.

At 3:00 p.m. is the Backseat Drivers Contest on the south side of the park, sponsored by Gene’s Small Engines, Hurdland, MO and Gene and Reta Yoakum. For more information contact Gene and Ann McCarty. The Pinewood Derby Contests, held at the fire station will also be at 3:00 p.m.; Kids bring your own cars. Your contact for this contest is Kent Hagerla. The Pinewood Derby is sponsored by Country Barn Café, Edina, MO; Caley Bumper, Knox City, MO; Chad Davis State Farm Insurance, Edina and Kirksville, MO; Arment Car Care, Edina, MO and Noe Trucking, Novelty, MO.
The Ramblin’ Fever Band performs from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Also starting at 4:30 is the pedal tractor pull, sponsored by Cardwell Lumber Co, Novelty, MO; Arment Carpet Cleaning, Edina, MO; Vansickle & Sons Tree Trimming, Hurdland, MO; Robert E. Poore Insurance Agency, Hurdland, MO and Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, Edina, MO. It will be held on the northwest corner of the park. Contact Rex Sykes for more information. The Crosscut Saw and Nail Driving Contests will begin at 4:30 as well. Prizes are sponsored by Sparks Angus Acres, Hurdland, MO for the Men and Women divisions. For more information contact George Sparks.

Annually sponsored by Rev. and Mrs. Robert Shobe, the baby contest is from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will separate boys and girls divisions for ages 6 months and under, 7-12 months, 13-18 months and 19-24 months. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Blackout Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. Drawings will be held throughout the afternoon and evening between performances by Gary Blurton & The Mystery Train with Lonnie Erwin at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m.

The main drawings are scheduled for 10:00 p.m., just prior to the fireworks display. First prize is an oak computer desk made by Ernie and Konnie Diekmann, Hurdland, MO, second prize is a gas barbeque grill and third prize is a patio/yard swing. At approximately 10:15 crowds will settle down to view the fireworks display. This year’s sponsors for the display are Doss Funeral Home, Edina, MO; Northeast MO COOP, Edina, MO; Lewis County REC, Lewistown, MO and The Farm Shop, Edina, MO.

Everyone bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the 136th Annual Hurdland 4th of July Celebration on July 3 & 4, 2008.