The Patoka Fall Festival drew big crowds with near perfect weather over the weekend, including the Saturday morning parade led by Grand Marshals Jani and Brent Bunn who have formed Nora’s Sparkle of Love Project a 501(c)(3) non-profit to help parents who have children with the same disease, DIPG/DIMG, that claimed their seven-year-old daughter Nora’s life in March.
The Adult Theme Winner was the Phelps/Thompson/ Spicer float. Photo by Nathan Payne.
The theme that followed their work was “Leave a Little Sparkle Wherever You Go”. The grand marshals and their Torrence family led the parade with their float featuring a large rainbow and unicorns. While Nora endured treatments, in an effort to help comfort kids experiencing oncology treatments, Nora had authored a book, Sparkle of Love, about a unicorn named Heart Lover who endured scary and hard things in the hospital. The book is available for purchase from Amazon.
The Meyer and Adams family won for Youth Most Colorful Float. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Adult theme float winner was the Phelps, Thompson, and Spicer float that featured a large rainbow and make-believe characters. The Youth best theme winner was the Cross Country team, who decorated a four-wheeler tied to the sparkle theme. The Mayor’s Choice went to Gables Fishing and Hunting for DIPG.
The Patoka Cross Country Team won for Youth Best Theme Float. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Gables Fishing and Hunting for DIPG float won the Mayor’s Choice. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Other float winners were Joyce’s Cafe for most creative in the adult division. Other youth division winners were the Baptist Church for Most Original, which featured Jesus. The youth’s most colorful award was presented to the Meyer and Adams families, who had an entry that featured blow-up unicorns. Tune Trucking, with its entry featuring Pinkblock Pearls, won most creative.
The South Central Band, which made its first appearance in the parade, took first in the Spirit Award. Studio 50 took second.
The South Central Band wins 1st in Spirit.
Studio 50 Dancers perform along the parade route. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
In the Antique Tractor Division, Noah Reynolds was first, Hailey Nattier was second, and Stevi Wilkerson was third.
In the Show Car Division, Robert Reed’s 1953 Blue Chevrolet Truck was first. Jim Watson was second and Andy Back third.
In the Kids Bicycles competition, Olivia Kingston was first and Tucker Huffman second.
When you finish last in Fantasy Football, as Ryan Miller did, you get to sit in a float containing a jail cell and have water balloons thrown at you. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
There were two Wildcard Winners: the Fantasy Football Float that featured the loser of the league, Ryan Miller, having water balloons and other items thrown at him, and a decorated Jeep entered by Eleanor and Lizzy Wood.
Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl were Ethan Kleiboeker and Nita Kurtz. The Best Dressed Horse and Rider was Eliza Engelhardt. First place in the kids’ Best Dressed Horse and Rider was Adaline Griffin. Emery Engelhardt took second.
Patoka Homecoming King and Queen. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County Junior Miss Jane Taylor Rose. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Friday night rodeo fun show:
Buckle Winners:
Jessa Thalman
Khloe Wadkins
Both of Patoka
Saturday night demo derby results:
Mini van class:
1- Cody Neal
2 – Ryan Workman
3 – Drake Lawler
Gut n Go Compacts:
1 – Charles “Sonny Pitman”
2 – Colton Shoemaker
3 – Logan Bauer
Red Beard Promotions Mad Dog award – Colton Shoemaker
Modified Compacts:
1 – Cory Stumpf
2 – Brayden Will
3 – Kolby Boward
Bonestock:
1 – David Henrichsmeyer
2 – Michael Henrichsmeyer
3 – Nikolle Rikli
Red Beard Promotion Mad Dog Award: Dylan Richardson
Limited Weld:
1 – Josh Bingham
2 – Mark Becker
3 – Devan Vandeveer
Red Beard Promotion Mad Dog: Cody Simonton
Patoka Fall Festival overall Best in Show: Dylan Richardson
