Parker Days has good turnout for parade and rides despite heat

Sep 27

2 min read

***The Tri-Ko Inc. parade took best float honors during the Parker Days parade on Saturday, Sept. 20. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)***

Parker Days organizers and sponsors continue to bat 1.000 on keeping event-goers entertained once the morning activities have ended. With nearly 30 entries in the parade on Saturday morning and more that 15 vendors and food trucks set up in Heritage Park, there was plenty to do without the rides.

But the free rides were the main draw after the Prairie View March Band and cheerleaders, the final parade entries, cleared the street. New this year was a swing "ship" called "Pirates Revenge." The number of bounce houses and inflatables increased this year, and kids were particularly drawn to the "strongman" hammer that rang the bell at the top of the pole. There was a smaller version of that game for the younger kids, but the older girls and boys were able to ring the bell on the larger game..

***Frozen treats passed out by Dunlop Farms was a real hit as the day began to heat up by mid-morning.***

***Veteran Neal Wright led the parade in his mini-jeep.***

***Sporting their new uniforms, members of the Prairie View Marching Band performed numbers they learned during summer camp, including "The Ballad of the Green Beret."***

*Eight infants were entered in the baby contest. They included (not in any order) Beckam, Miriya, Theo, Silas, Enzley, Arleigh, Island, and WrennLinn. All were winners in our book.*

***Kiersten McCarty finishes up painting the face of a young customer. Nearly 20 vendors and food trucks were on site during the event.***

***Country artist Savanna Chestnut ends her Saturday evening concert with a solo, reflective song as her band, The Farm Hands began to pack up equipment.***

***The Cadmus 4-H Club float celebrates the country's 250th anniversary.***

*The Parker Thunderbird 4-H Club shows up strong, filling a semi trailer with candy-throwing club members.*

Generous donations by Parker Days sponsors allows organizers to rent rides, inflatables and other sources of entertainment such the strongman game and the mechanical bull.

More scenes from the parade (click on any photo to see full-size image);