Comfortable weather and a good crowd were hallmarks of the 130th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration last Wednesday, July 4, on the Courthouse Square.
The morning started off foggy and muggy but cleared up quickly with everyone talking about how perfect the day was for a celebration.
Tours of the restored 1890 Donley County Courthouse started the day followed by the Craft Fair on the square.
The Old Settlers Reunion was also held Wednesday morning. Billy Bob Adams, age 74, of Alanreed, traveled the greatest distance to be there. The oldest woman present was Roberta Pittman at 93, and Ernest Lamberson of Groom thought he had the oldest man award locked up until his brother J.T. Lamberson, age 94, showed up from Hedley, winning the oldest old settler present and the person living in Donley County the longest also. Ernest said he reserves the right to the title of oldest to be born in a dugout.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 934 plates of barbecue this year, which up from 882 last year and 794 the year before. Funds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Temple of the Shrine in Amarillo to help pay for transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.
The annual Western Parade had 53 entries in four divisions, up from 43 entries last year. Grand Marshals for the parade were local Marines J.C. Blackburn, Colt Floyd, Nathan Floyd, Greg Wootten, and Chris Johnsen.
The Chamber of Commerce reports that Donley County 4-H Club float won first place in the float division for the second year with the Classy Dames Red Hatters placing second. In the Riding division, the Mule Skinners won first place while the Hall Ranch and the Donley County VFW Post placed second.
In the Antique Vehicles division of the parade, a Shriner from Pampa won first with a 1937 Jaguar Roadster, and Wondel Luttrell placed second with a 1925 Model T Ford. The Khiva Mini-vettes won first place in the Miscellaneous division, and a modified Harley Davidson driven by an unregistered rider placed second.
The Kids’ Parade led the full parade, and winners were Nathan and Benjamin Estlack in the 0-4 Division, Braylee Shields in the 5-8 Division, and Kristen Watson in the 9-12 Division.
Several organizations held fundraisers, and the following are the results available at press time. There were three winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo – Judy Burlin, Sharon Winfrey, and Cynthia Lindley. Terrell Tucek of Clarendon won the custom commemorative spurs from the Clarendon Masonic Lodge, and Drake Welch of Memphis won the matching bits. There were three winners of the Clarendon Firebelle’s Penny Raffle – Michael Newhouse, Rose Lemley, and Ray Crump. James Hall won the John Deere riding lawnmower given by the Donley County 4-H and FFA members to support a new activity center.
This year’s celebration began with a first-ever community fireworks event at Greenbelt Lake on Tuesday night organized by the Chamber of Commerce. Lake officials estimated was attended by more than 1,000 people, and additional people enjoyed the event from afar. Everyone brought their own fireworks and launched them from the marina parking lot.
Local merchants had sales and giveaways on Friday and Saturday of last week with a Depression Dinner being held downtown on Friday.
The annual Henson’s Turtle Race was on Saturday afternoon, with 206 participants. Cash Hand won the 0-4 age division. Justin Shadle and Cali Crump won first place in the 5-8 division. Kylie Phillips won the 9-14 age division.
Henson’s also hosted a new event – a turtle art contest that garnered several entries that ranged from drawings to sculptures. Harley Jauregui won first in the 4-6 division. Hunter Owens was first, and Blayne Layton was second in the 7-9 division; and Brooks Owens was first and Cody Wood was second in the 10-14 division. Hunter Owens won the grand prize.
The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association held a two-day ranch rodeo and other events, which are reported separately this week.
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