Osage City Boy Scout Troop 106 present the colors as leaders of the 2024 Osage County Fair Parade.
By Jeanette Swartz
Osage City Chamber of Commerce
Mother Nature provided an extra warm but enjoyable evening for the 2024 Osage County Fair Parade and entertainment which were enjoyed by many spectators, Friday, July 12.
Celebrating “Vacation Destination”, the fair parade had a variety of entries including the Boy Scout Troop leading with the color guard and then the usual fire equipment, law enforcement, EMS, Mr. and Mrs. Osage City, Larry and Jeannine Colstrom, parade marshals, Michelle Martin and Jessica Lickteig, retired city manager Rod Willis and Anne, the Twin Lakes Cruisers, Osage City High School band, flag corps, spirit groups, floats, golf carts and ATVs, Shriners, tractors, politicians, Walmart semi truck, and horses.
Float winners in the fair parade were Fishers of Men, of Grace Lutheran Church, first place, $125; Girl Scouts, second place, $100; and Countryside Baptist Church, third, $75.
ATV and golf cart winners were Steve and Michelle Giesy, taking first place and $30 with their “beach bound” ride; and April Peet winning $20 with her second-place entry. Horse winners were Dee Crist and Lucky Charm with the most creative horse and cart, $50; and John Thornbrugh and Jack Sparrow, $50 for most creative horse and rider.
Starting before the fair parade was the kids decorated bicycle parade, coordinated by Becky and Craig Siljenberg.
Following the parade was a variety of entertainment at Jones Park and fairgrounds. Some people played bingo inside the community building. Others enjoyed food served by the Lions Club and ice cream served by the Osage County Fair Association, and listening to Delta Haze live band.
The finale for the evening was the spectacular fireworks celebration provide 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, who volunteered to pick up all of the debris left from the fireworks display. The display was another enjoyable evening with a variety of fireworks.
Carnival comes to town
Probably the highlight of the week was the return of the carnival. Arriving early in the week was the large variety of carnival rides that promised to bring joy to many that had been missing from the fair for quite a few years. Jim Paul, Osage City, spent many hours phone calling and corresponding, attempting to secure the carnival, along with the magician and live band. Pre-ticket sales for the carnival started out very slow; however, once the rides started getting assembled, the sales began. According to Paul, entertainment event coordinator, the carnival personnel were pleased with the attendance; however, they were hoping to have a little better participation. There was discussion of having more pre-sales next year and perhaps switch some of the entertainment to different days. Paul expressed to them that it had been a series of years since Osage City had a carnival, and he was hoping that once the communities had the opportunity to see what was coming to town, that the future years would bring more attendance to the four-day event.
In conjunction with the fair parade, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce along with the Osage City Rural Fire Department offered the opportunity for students kindergarten through the fifth grade to color a theme picture, with winners selected to ride on a firetruck in the parade. Selected students were Jordyn Turner, Olivia Robert, Ayva Capoun, Mia Watson, Nova Smith and Taylor Lickteig.
Photos by Jeanette Swartz.
