Successful 89th annual Farmers Day is in the books

Another successful Farmers Day is in the books with a standout parade, Fun Run, demolition derby, and Kimball Kamakazee Fly-in to name just a few activities held during the packed weekend.

There was free food for all, with the pancake breakfast at the Eagles and the annual free hamburger feed at lunch time.

The Fun Run was a huge success, with 130 registered and 117 participating, and everyone finished in good health, according to organizer Tiffany Johnson. She added that some may have been a bit sore on Sunday.

The parade featured both the Kimball high school and junior high school marching bands as well as the dignitaries, including Farmers Day Queen Raelynn Hinton and her attendants, Taylor Kelsch and Dakota Randles.

Parade winners in the business division parade were, in order, FirsTier Bank, Kimball Health Services and Pine Bluffs Sinclair Truck Stop. The parade fun was non-stop, with little ones collecting candy, the 'flu bug' getting kicked around and knocked about by Kimball Health Services employees, and the crew from Pine Bluffs Sinclair working out with 'Richard Simmons.'

With just one entry in the kids with pets division, Faith Heinrich took the only prize, as did the mule track ranch oxen team, with wagon in the horses and farm animals division.

Other one-entry divisions and prize winners include the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Nebraska Chapter 4 in the motorcycles division, and Dorothy Christiansen in the novelty division.

First and second place in the farm equipment division were, in order, Keith Schoene, with his 1959 John Deere tractor, followed by Sheila McLaughlin-Kaczmarek with a Massey-Ferguson tractor.

The organizations division had first, second and third places with the Dead Eye Shooters taking first, followed by the Kimball Longhorn Booster Club and the Kimball Police K-9/Kimball Police Department and the kids with the "Hemi Express."

Terry Taylor took first in the vehicles division with his 1972 Chevelle SS 454, followed by Steve Whitley in a 1926 Ford Model T replica and Jack Schilling in his Willy's Jeep.

Following the parade was the traditional free hamburger feed, during which Keep Kimball Beautiful sold pieces of pies following its second annual pie contest held earlier in the morning. There were 11 entries in the contest with many donated pies for sale by the slice, or as a whole pie, at the hamburger feed.

Judy Martin took first in both the fruit pie division for her apple-cherry pie and in the cream pie division for her coconut cream pie. The second place cream pie, also a coconut cream, went to Eileen Rowley, who also took second in beautiful pies, with her key lime entry. Claudette Sundrr won second in the fruit pie division for her rhubarb pie and Steve Pinkerton won first in the beautiful pie division for his apple pie.

Following the parade there were many activities offered, including a well-attended K-9 demonstration by the Kimball Police Department and Kimball County Sheriff's Office, a greased pole contest, the two-day horseshoe tournament and kids were entertained in Gotte Park with jump houses and train rides.

Kids and adults alike enjoyed the car, truck and motorcycle show at Gotte Park as well. Winners at that show included Diana and Rich Larsens' 1949 Cadillac for the Best GM, John Phillips' 1979 Dodge Little Red Express won the Best Mopar product, Best Ford went to Lloyd Searles for his 32 Ford Coupe, while the Best Independent was awarded to Jean Gilbert for a 1948 Crosley PUS. The ever popular People's Choice 2015 award was given to David Judd for his 1955 Chevy.

The demolition derby had a good showing according to Doug Lukassen, with 20 cars and more than 1,100 spectators.

Drivers represented three states - Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska - according to organizer Mark Vowers.

"Honestly I was expecting a few more cars than we had. Other than that I was very pleased with the weather and the turnout of the crowd," Vowers said. "The derby saw its first injury, when Dayson Contrato, driver of car 99, was injured in an unfortunate hit. No one did anything wrong. I was very pleased with the way emergency personnel responded as this was the first accident I have had in 15 years of derbies."

The Kimball Community Theater Talent Show, held at the museum Saturday night, was such a popular activity that there was not enough seating for everyone. Those who attended enjoyed the local talent.

The fun continued on Sunday, not just with the horseshoe tournament, but also with the Kimball Kamakazee Club's Fly-in event at the Kimball Municipal Airport.

Planes and helicopters of all kinds were flown by 17 radio control pilots from four states, according to event organizer and Kimball Kamakazee Club president Rick Kirby.

Those pilots also contributed to the purchase of Mini Quad Copters to give away during the day for children from 6 to 12 years of age. The prizes were awarded by a drawing held through out the afternoon, which was intended to foster interest and excitement about the R/C sport and encourage youth to become involved. Winners were Adelynn Ahlm, Trevor Anderson, David Ruff and Marie Hein.

"This was a very successful R/C Fly in and the weather was great," event organizer Carla Kirby said. "The spectators were awesome with over 100 people coming throughout the day to watch us fly. We appreciate the pilots for coming and love the people who came out to watch. It makes the day special and fun and we couldn't do this without them."

Expect next year's Farmers Day to be even bigger as the event will celebrate its 90th year in existence.