Winners of the fair’s annual Cornhole tournament were, from left, Louis and Christopher Brosch, second place, Chris and Brody Kirkpatrick, first place, and Jerry and Katy Graham, third place. Photo thanks to Jeanette Swarts.
By Jeanette Swarts
Mother Nature provided an enjoyable evening for the 2023 Osage County Fair Parade and entertainment, which were a success and enjoyed by many spectators. The parade had a variety of entries including the Boy Scout Troop leading with the color guard and then fire equipment, law enforcement, EMS, Mr. and Mrs. Osage City Bill and Sharyl Bolyard, Parade Marshal Naomi Brown, Honorary Parade Marshal David Haskins, with his mother, Darlene, and son, Ryan, Twin Lakes Cruisers, high school spirit groups, floats, golf carts and ATVs, the Shriners, city trucks, tractors, miniature train, and horses.
Following the parade was a variety of entertainment at Osage City Jones Park and fairgrounds. Inflatables and the hatchet throw were a hit with the youth as well as a train ride provided by Garrett’s Fireworks. Some people were playing bingo inside the community building while others were enjoying food served by the Lions Club and ice cream served by the Osage County Fair Association, and listening to Savannah Chestnut and the Field Hands live band.
The finale for the evening was the spectacular fireworks celebration provided by sponsors and the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. The fireworks celebration would not be possible without the generous donations given by the businesses and individuals within the community. Scott Farmer and his crew do a wonderful job putting together an enjoyable show. Assisting Scott on Saturday morning was a group of Chamber of Commerce members and Osage City citizens that volunteered to pick up all of the debris left from the show.
The Touch-A-Truck event held on Saturday and was a success with the various types of trucks, farm equipment, helicopter, and other equipment. The Osage County Farm Bureau Association sponsors this event with the assistance of Michelle Rickel.
Parade float winners were Community Covenant Church with first place and winning $125; and Countryside Baptist Church in second place and $100 prize money.
In the ATV and golf cart category, Chenoa Casebier was first with $30 award; second place was the Woodyard family, with a $20 prize.
The Chamber and Osage County Fire District No. 2 offered opportunity for children to color a picture with the anticipation of getting selected to ride on the firetruck in the parade. Selected were Taylor Lickteig, Tessa Keffe, Harper Lohmeyer and Logan Lohmeyer.
Horse category winner was “Red, While and Blue”, awarded for most creative horse and cart and most creative horse and rider, with $50 prize money for each category.
Pie contest winners were, adult category, first, JoAnn Bauman with a peach pie; second, Rita Jackson with her blue gooseberry; and third, Tammy Patterson with an apple pie. In the youth competition, Cruc Jackson was first and Kim Knauber was second.
Pie contest winners in the adult category were, first, JoAnn Bauman with peach; second, Rita Jackson with blue gooseberry; and third, Tammy Patterson with apple.
