|
|
|
GIRARD —
The 2012 Girard Fall Festival parade made it clear what winning a big football game can do for morale.
The route of the parade was different this year because of bridge construction on Kansas Highway 47 — it followed only Ozark Street this year in order to stay off the detour route — but people turned out by the thousands anyway to celebrate the Girard High School Trojans’ 29-0 blanking of St. Mary’s Colgan Friday night and visit with family and friends they haven’t seen in a long time.
“It’s always festive after a big win,” said Jerome Beezley, who operates a farm west of town and who drove Homecoming Queen Hope McLeod in the parade.
The large turnouts the festival has had in recent years is partly because of the decision officials made last year to combine the festival and Girard High School Homecoming festivities. The Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club was there, and vendors lined the sidewalks and streets. This year’s theme was “Reflecting on our Home Town Businesses,” and business representatives filled the parade and the town square.
“I think getting the businesses involved really helped,” Beezley said, adding that he thought the turnout was impressive. “You’d have to say they’ve done a great job for it to continue to grow like it has. It shows we’re proud of our town and our people and what we’ve done.”
Others held the same sentiment that Beezley did.
“Girard is a good community, and everybody likes to help out,” Kayla Vulgamore said. “When you get a parade like this, everyone wants to be supportive.”
Events were plentiful throughout the day Saturday. It got started with 5K race and Girard Lions Club pancake feed. The Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club was there, and there were various kids’ games and performances throughout the day. There was canine beauty pageant and the Girard Amazing Race later in the day, and a street dance Saturday evening.
Preston Frazier moved from Kansas City, Mo., to Girard last month to work for State Farm Insurance. His new girlfriend Janel, who lives in Weir, brought him to the festival to see what Girard is all about.
“There’s a little bit of culture shock, but it’s been going okay,” Frazier said. “It’s a good community and it feels like everyone knows each other.”
Janel agreed.
“It’s been fun taking him fishing and showing him Big Brutus,” she smiled.
The 2012 Girard Fall Festival parade made it clear what winning a big football game can do for morale.
The route of the parade was different this year because of bridge construction on Kansas Highway 47 — it followed only Ozark Street this year in order to stay off the detour route — but people turned out by the thousands anyway to celebrate the Girard High School Trojans’ 29-0 blanking of St. Mary’s Colgan Friday night and visit with family and friends they haven’t seen in a long time.
“It’s always festive after a big win,” said Jerome Beezley, who operates a farm west of town and who drove Homecoming Queen Hope McLeod in the parade.
The large turnouts the festival has had in recent years is partly because of the decision officials made last year to combine the festival and Girard High School Homecoming festivities. The Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club was there, and vendors lined the sidewalks and streets. This year’s theme was “Reflecting on our Home Town Businesses,” and business representatives filled the parade and the town square.
“I think getting the businesses involved really helped,” Beezley said, adding that he thought the turnout was impressive. “You’d have to say they’ve done a great job for it to continue to grow like it has. It shows we’re proud of our town and our people and what we’ve done.”
Others held the same sentiment that Beezley did.
“Girard is a good community, and everybody likes to help out,” Kayla Vulgamore said. “When you get a parade like this, everyone wants to be supportive.”
Events were plentiful throughout the day Saturday. It got started with 5K race and Girard Lions Club pancake feed. The Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club was there, and there were various kids’ games and performances throughout the day. There was canine beauty pageant and the Girard Amazing Race later in the day, and a street dance Saturday evening.
Preston Frazier moved from Kansas City, Mo., to Girard last month to work for State Farm Insurance. His new girlfriend Janel, who lives in Weir, brought him to the festival to see what Girard is all about.
“There’s a little bit of culture shock, but it’s been going okay,” Frazier said. “It’s a good community and it feels like everyone knows each other.”
Janel agreed.
“It’s been fun taking him fishing and showing him Big Brutus,” she smiled.
