Photo by Christy Porter
Nine members of the 19-member Raymondville Volunteer Fire Department pose with a fire rescue truck at the 8th Annual Raymondville Festival of the Past. The festival is held every year in support of the RVFD.
By Christy Porter, managing editor
The 8th Annual Raymondville Festival of the Past was held Saturday at the Raymondville Fairgrounds with benefits from the Raymondville Volunteer Fire Department. The RVFD serves the Raymondville area and is a mutual aid support for surrounding areas, including the Licking Rural Volunteer Fire Department.
At the start of the day’s festivities, Fire Chief Mike Jackson was joined by two children in attendance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Jill Britner then sang the national anthem and Richard Britner led a prayer.
Photos by Christy Porter
Larry Martin & The Country Revival Band provided great music and dancing throughout the day.
Photos by Christy Porter
Activities included a variety of games, a ride, face painting and bounce houses for children of all ages. Demonstrations, history, information and presentations from vendors, elected government officials and candidates, Civil War re-enactors, Ham radio operators, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Stream Team, Life360 Community Service and the K Search Team -9 Region G offers learning and entertainment experiences.
Photos by Christy Porter
It might have been impossible to stay hungry, and more likely one would have been too full, with all the food, dessert, baked goods and ice cream options that were available with the food stalls and vendors present, many of the options conveniently packaged to take home.
Photos by Christy Porter
Vendors displayed to purchase and provided instructions for a variety of products ranging from fall decor, fabric textiles, wood crafts, metal prints, artwork, jewelry, candles, herbal remedies herbs and plants, natural cleaning supplies, crafts and clothing.
Photos by Christy Porter and submitted
Five competitions were held throughout the day and the winners were:
Children’s Costume Contest (circa 1800 to early 1900) (sponsored by Jackson Heating & Cooling) – children up to age four, first place was Ada Gorman, age two; runner-up, Ansley Gorman, 3; and third place, Hudson Gorman, 4; For five to eight years, first place went to six-year-old Emma Elliot, also known as Annie Oakley.
Standing in the Pickle Contest, Dill & Sour category were: first place, Jean Cooper (an Arkansas contestant); second place, Kelly Dietsch; third place, Reed Coda; and tapes, Sharon Baker and Reed Coda. In the Sweet and Bread & Butter category it was: first place, Wyatt Elliott; second place, Sharon Baker; and third place, Carole DeWitt. In the Relish category: first place, Sharon Baker; second place, Sharon Baker; and third place, Reed Coda.
Sharon Baker’s peach pie took first place in the pie contest (sponsored by Rep. Bennie Cook), second place went to Delta Hernadez, and third place went to Faye Beasley.
Roy King had the best mustache in the Men’s Mustache Contest (sponsored by Lee Kearns), followed by second place, Vinny Fafso, and third place, Johnny Erbschloe.
Johnny Erbschloe placed first in the Men’s Beard Contest (sponsored by Shelter Insurance), Kurtis O’Guin placed second, and John Chase placed third.
Voting with changes took place throughout the day to see which fire board member would kiss the goat. Fire Chief Mike Jackson appeared to receive the most votes, but Dave Scantlin filled the box with $5 immediately after the call. Showing his great integrity, Scantlin confessed and also kissed the goat; a fun time was had by all.
“Our goal with the festival has always been to support the RVFD and offer families with children an event they can enjoy at a very reasonable cost. Activities, learning experiences, games and snacks have been kept at a price so families can come out, enjoy the activities, fellowship and clean fun,” shared event coordinator Sharon Baker .
Photo sent
The fire department honored Baker and Helen Ward, vice president of the fire board, for their tireless efforts in coordinating this event over the past eight years; both will retire this year due to health reasons. Baker and Ward received decorative wooden tables of their choice.
Photo sent
Deputy Bennie Cook honored the fire department and event coordinators with the presentation of a US American flag.
