Parker Days brings plenty of "Sunshine and Smiles"

The Parker Thunderbird 4-H club won the prize for best float in the Parker Day parade on Saturday.

Text and photos (except where noted) by Roger Sims

rsims@linncountyjournal.com

The sunshine was abundant and so were the smiles at this year's Parker Days celebration. The day built on last year's event, this year adding a car show to festivities that began with a dinner at the Mason's lodge Friday evening, ran all day long on Saturday, and ended with a fishing tourney on Sunday..

The car show sponsored by the Parker Masonic lodge was the perfect springboard for the organization's scholarship raffle, with the prize being a classic Pontiac GTO convertible. Slated to be held on Main Street, the show was moved to the lodge just east of city limits.

Parker Police Chief Chris Lee waves to the crowd as he leads the parade down Woodward Street.

Parker residents, businesses and local government agencies – as well as the organizations from the Prairie View school district – helped make the parade one of the best in the county.

From the new Parker police chief to firefighters decked out in bunker gear, to the Prairie View High School football team fresh off a major win, to the Prairie View Marching Band, to floats by the Parker Thunderbird and Cadmus 4-H clubs, the effort and participation that went into the parade was substantial.

The Tri-Ko float won best overall entry in the parade.

Members of the Cadmus 4-H club throw candy to the crowd. The float earned second place honors.

Following the parade was the baby contest and several other games for kids and grownups alike. However again this year it was the rides that kept kids and their parents engaged through the afternoon.

The Dunlop Farms float won honorable mention.

As the sun began to sink in the west, it was time to announce which of the two girls or the boy running for royalty would have sold the most tickets. Once the announcement was made, it was time to draw raffle tickets and hand out prizes.

Page Enterprises LLC won the best motorized entry.

Melissa Crooks was a shoe-in for best animal entry in the parade.

These three princess and prince candidates and their families raised $5,300 for next year's Parker Days by selling raffle tickets. The young lady on the right sold the most tickets. Grand prize in the drawing was $500.

The evening ended with Cole Fired, a band of musicians fronted by Cole Holler, playing classic country favorites.

The annual baby contest winners include, from left, Astrid in the up to three months division: Joyce, three to six months; Ellenore, six to 12 months; Finley, 12 to 18 months; and Charlotte, 18 to 24 months. (Baby contest photos courtesy of Lisa Leach.)

After playing the National Anthem to begin the parade, the Prairie View Marching Band performs. To see the band in action, click on the photo.

More photos from Saturday: