An entry by Balloons by Designs of Salem featuring multiple large balloon designs ranging from animals, and fruit, to the US Flag took the Grand Marshal’s trophy in the 52nd Annual Little Egypt Festival Parade.
Sandy Byers runs the business with her husband Terry that started about a year and a half ago when she made some of the balloons for a shower and enjoyed it. It took about a week to do all the balloons featured in the parade.
“I have to come up with the pattern that I want to do, then I figure out the different sizes that I need, different colors, and how I’m going to do it, and then I put them altogether.”
Byers didn’t even realize there were trophies for best entries at the time and had just entered to promote her business.
Mayor Nic Farley selected the entry by the Daughters of American Revolution for the Mayor’s choice. Judy Beyers says their float was entitled The Future of Farming in Space and celebrated the 50th Anniversary of NASA and the 100th anniversary of the Children of American Revolution in Marion County.
“We have our space shuttle ready to take off. We have some farmers and some astronauts that are going to walk in the parade.”
Other winners included Salem Tire first in large business. Their entry featured a John Deere tractor equipped with new Ag tires as well as a box truck full of candy. Little Egypt Golf Cars took second. The golf cars featured the drivers or passengers decorated as farm animals.
In small business, Route 50 Auto Sales took first and People’s National Banks antique farm truck was second.
In church organization, Marshall Creek Baptist Church’s entry was first and the Rock Church entry featuring the Trail Life Troop was second.
In the youth division, the multiple Salem Soccer entries featuring players of all ages were first and the Rotary Float featuring the Salem FFA was second.
In the school division, the Salem Community High School football players and cheerleaders were first and the Odin FFA was second with their entry featuring farm facts from Marion County.
In the Civic Division, the Shriner’s Big Rigs was first and Keep Salem Beautiful was second.
The Side By Side Award went to ATVs and More. The Richard Pollard Award to the Old Tow Truck. The first place in the ‘other’ category went to the horse riders depicting Beauty and the Beast. Second went to the Salem American Legion.
In Baton and Dance, Studio 50 was first and the SCHS dance team was second.
In the band competition, Altamont High School took first in the senior-junior high division and Sandoval second. Iuka Grade was first in the junior high band division and Centralia Junior High second.
Winners can claim their trophies at the WJBD-WSIQ studios at 310 West McMackin Street in Salem beginning on Monday.
DAR entry The Future of Farming in Space took the Mayor’s choice.
The Salem Fire Protection District displays a large US Flag over the Main and Broadway intersection.
