Those who gathered for the Patoka Fall Festival Parade on Saturday were not turned away by constant light rain.
The parade Grand Marshalls were Butch and Susan Landreth who rode through the parade on a UTV decorated as a school bus honoring the two for being Patoka School bus drivers for 36 years.
Susan and Butch Landreth, parade Grand Marshalls
The Landreths said, “It’s quite a privilege to even be considered for that (Grand Marshalls) because a lot of people in this area are very deserving, but we are very honored to have that.”
Butch has announced and kept books for Mohawk and Warrior athletics for over 37 years and is also a past village board member and Little League President. Susan has been on the library board for 46 years. The two are heavily involved in the Patoka Methodist Church. Both say they are not ready to quit.
Butch said, “I don’t see us slowing down any, not yet. As long as I get up and still enjoy doing it every day, I’m going to do it.”
Susan said, “A good thing about this is we can go with our grandkids. Our grandkids play sports and do activities and special trips, and we can go with them, so we really enjoy doing that. We got to with our kids, and now we get to with our grandkids.
The Landreths are appreciative of all those who have reached out to them from the past about the honor. The lifelong residents say Patoka is a great place to live and they have been lucky to live in Patoka.
The Theme of this Year’s Parade was Patoka Past, Present, and Future. The Best Theme float with a sports theme over the years was entered by Courtney Ulm Phelps, Stephanie Spicer, and Lura Thompson. The Most Patriotic award went to the Brandi Meyer’s family with a Red, White, and Blue entry. The Most Creative Award went to Nancy Ansley and her family. The Mayor’s Choice was a float honoring the late Hunter Jolliff, featuring his demolition derby car. In the kids float division, the Little Misses won most colorful, and Jack Tune and Burke Belcher who had a hunting-themed side-by-side won for most creative.
Best Theme
Most Patriotic
Most Creative
Mayor’s Choice
Most Colorful (Kids)
Most Creative (Kids)
In the Antique Tractor division, Mike Nattier and girls was first. A mini Backhoe entered by Dennis Hampsten was second. Hayden Torrence was third.
Tractor Divison -1st Place
Tractor Division – 2nd Place
Tractor Division – 3rd Place
In the show car division, a 1929 Model A entered by Rod Pollard in honor of his late father took first and a Buick Limited entered by Sydney McHenry took second.
Show Car Division – 1st Place
Show Car Division – 2nd Place
Kevin Kriesel who rode in a convertible with his large dog won for Best Dressed Pet and Owner. The Patoka FFA won the Wild Card Award.
Best Dressed Pet and Owner
Wild Card Award
Studio 50 won the Spirit Award. In the Kids Bike Division, Charlee Murray and Liberty Garner dressed as aliens took first. Jesse Cain and Blaize Murray who rode bikes made to look like horses were second. Olivia (no last name available) was third.
Spirit Award
In the horse division, Ethan Kleiboeker was named Best Dressed Cowboy, Juanita Kurtz Best Dressed Cowgirl, and Chesni Adams Best Dressed Indian. Adalyn Griffin won for Kid Best Dressed Horse and Rider.
Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl
Best Dressed Indian
Best Dressed Horse and Rider (Kid)
Patoka American Legion Color Guard leads the parade.
Patoka Fire Department displays their equipment.
One of Patoka’s earliest fire trucks.
Marion County Fair Queen Delaney Kell and Junior Miss Paisley Stanford.
Patoka Prom King Jacob and Queen Makayla.
Marion County Republican candidates greeting those along the parade route.
