Editorial

Another sparkling celebration

Monday, September 26, 2005

No one knows for sure how many people turned out for the Heritage Days parade Saturday, but officials agree that the crowd was the largest to gather for a McCook event in recent years.

"The turnout for the parade was definitely larger than it was in '03 or '04," said McCook Police Chief Ike Brown. "There are always a lot of people on Norris Avenue," the chief said, "but this year the crowd of people stretched into the 400 and 500 block of C Street."

Attracting the throng of parade-watchers was a sunshine-filled late September day. More than 100 different entries took part, but the total involved was actually much larger than that, according to Parade Chair Jerda Garey. "Many of the entries had several different parts to them," she pointed out.

The huge parade launched what Garey called a "fabulous Saturday." The action-filled day included a busy food and craft fair at Norris Park, the 5-k race and fun run, the first Heritage Days Challenge and delightful Saturday night musical program at the Fox Theater.

The Challenge -- featuring a combination of "Fear Factor" and "Amazing Race" events -- got off to a stirring start with action at the park and the downtown business district. Now that teams and spectators are more familiar with the activities, the Challenge is expected to grow in popularity in future years.

While there were many highlights at this year's celebration, there were some disappointments as well. Winds grounded most of the High Plains Freedom Flight participants, with only four balloons getting off the ground for brief flights Saturday. The winds, mixed with much cooler temperatures, also diminished the turnout for Sunday events. The craft and food fair, after a busy day Saturday, had very limited public response Sunday.

Still, Garey said overall the 2005 Heritage Days events added to the long line of successful celebrations. "Everyone involved deserves a great big thank you," she said. "It takes a tremendous effort to prepare for a festival of this scope. I am especially grateful to the event chairs and committee, including Leon Kuhlen, John Bingham, Lonnie Weyeneth, Pam Hanson, Colleen Grant, Sue Chipman, John Kugler, Dick Trail, Jean Hester, Marlene Foster, Ike Brown, Ivan Schmid, Cordell Svengalis, Denise Ringenberg and Pam Harsh."

The theme for this year's celebration was "All That Glitters in Southwest Nebraska." For the sun-soaked Saturday parade and other events, Heritage Days was sparkling in 2005.

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