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CLARK CO. MULE FESTIVAL , A WINNER FOR ALL
On the weekend of September 19-21, 2008 , a large
crowd of mule and craft lovers attended the Clark Co. Mule Festival
at the Clark Co. Fairgrounds in Kahoka, Mo. People from all over the
United States came to see mules in a variety of contests and races,
see the areas best hand made crafts, flea markets, art show, taste a
variety of foods, and go on a trail ride. The Rodeo on Saturday
night was over flowing with people to watch the competition events
of chills and thrills. Best of all was the chance to visit with
friends and relatives, new and old. The fairgrounds was filled with
a little over 300 campers who came in on Wednesday before the
festival, due to around 8 inches of rain the week before. There was
two wagon trains that came in on Thursday. By Saturday, there were
215 contestants and their mules on the grounds to compete in the
events to win trophies, ribbons, and many fine prizes donated by
area merchants who support the Mule Festival. The craft barn was
filled with many varied and beautiful hand made items. Among these
were wood crafts, needle work, metal cut outs, horse shoe art,
wildlife paintings, pen and ink art, t-shirts and sweatshirts,
quilts, pet accessories, dolls and furniture, jewelry, rugs, and
book sales. Outside vendors sold food such as sandwiches, plate
lunches, desserts, honey and candy, funnel cakes, mini- donuts, char
broiled sandwiches, ice cream, tacos, kettle corn, and a variety of
drinks. Other vendors were there to provide items such as Watkins
products, decal stickers, belts and buckles, horse and mule tack,
other leather novelties, caricature artist, steel signs and plant
hangers, flowers and pumpkins, and climbing wall. There were also a
variety of non-profit organizations selling products. A fish fry was
held on Friday night by the Fine Arts Committee. The FFA High School
Agriculture class helped with parking and crowd shuttles. Buttons
were sold by the 4-H group. And trash was picked up by the Clark Co.
Middle School.
The Clark Co. Mule Festival wishes to thank all
volunteers who helped make this a great event! During the festival
the area elementary schools coloring contest pages were
displayed.
The Best of Show was Alyssa Mathes ,age 9, of
Blackhawk Elementary.
The winner of the quilt was Liz Hooton of Camp
Point, Il. The winner of the saddle was Al Weishar of Lexington,
Il.
And the winner of the Molly mule was Rhonda Kleinert
of Revere, Mo. The weekend had an excellent start with the Mule Polo
on Friday night. Following that was the team roping and the winners
were Shane Lee and Larry Hahn. Steer Dobbin winners were 1st - Tod
DeJong, 2nd - Mike Wright, and 3rd - Wayne Mathias. Steer Doctoring
was won by 1st - Dewayne Cason, Doug Dejong, and Chelsea Wright; 2nd
- Tod DeJong, Christy Anderson, and Troy DeJong; and 3rd - Josh
Brummett, Doug Hyle, and Jacob Vestal. After these events was music
by Double T Entertainment until midnight. A trail ride was held on
Saturday morning with about 76 riders and 2 wagons.
The Mule Show on Saturday began with the Clark
County Marching Band performing at 10:00 a.m. Also Mr Dooley was
presented an award by Steve Murphy. The band played several song and
the National Anthem. The Grand Entry followed the band with the
presentation of flags, many mules and rider and wagons. The
professional photographer, Dennis Lawyer, was present taking lots of
pictures for sale and can be seen at cowboycalendar.com . Several
radio stations and TV stations were present during the Festival. The
Rodeo began with a presentation of flags and Carrie Fedderson of
Wayland , Ia. Sing the National Anthem. Also the VFW Post 4342
Ladies Auxiliary of Kahoka did a commemorative balloon release for
MIA's, POW's and active people serving in the armed forces. The Long
Riders of Clark Co. did a Nichol in a haystack for the children in
the audience. The Rodeo was a huge success with each seat taken to
enjoy the wild mule ride, thrilling bulls, steer rides, wild steer
catch, and women and girls barrel racing. Sunday morning started
with an early morning trail ride of about 38 riders . Church
services were held in the grandstands at 8:00 a.m. by the Fellowship
Cowboys group.
The Show started with the Grand Entry of Mules and
followed with the Costume Contest and Halter Class. Mule pull was at
noon and the day ended with the arena race. Saturday winners were:
Youth musical tires: 1st - Kalissa Watkins of Industry, Il; 2nd -
Elizabeth DeJong of Tracy, Ia.; and 3rsd - Angela Riddle of Keokuk,
Ia. Adult musical tires: 1st - Lonnie Schoenmann of Keystone, Ia.;
2nd - Colton Weldon of Ottumwa, Ia.; and 3rd - Brandon Schlippman of
Mendon, Il. Musical tires (40 and up): 1st - Dale Waterman of La
Grange, Mo.; 2nd - Jim Robertson of Wyconda, Mo.; and 3rd - David
Robertson of Gorin, Mo. 3 legged race: 1st - K.C> Chockley of
Plumounth, Il. And Melissa Watkins of Industry, Il.; 2nd - Christy
Zylstra of Keosauqua, Ia. And Chelsea Wright of Basco,Il. And 3rd -
Kaycee Trevino of Newtown, Mo. And Madison Huston of Newtown, Mo.
Panty Hose race: 1st - Clinton Kaller of Ottumwa, Ia. And Colton
Weldon; 2nd - Elizabeth DeJong and Emma Rabideau of Oscalloosa Ia.;
and 3rd - Mike and Chelsea Wright of Basco, Il. Egg & Spoon ( 15
and under): 1st - Colton Weldon of Ottumwa, Ia. ; 2nd - Christopher
Coaltrain of Newtown, Mo. And 3rd - Ryan Coaltrain of Newtown, Mo.
Egg & Spoon (16 and over); 1st - Mike Wright; 2nd - Karri
Fedderson of Wayland, Ia.; and 3rd - Christy Zylstra Wheel Barrel
race: 1st - Milissa Watkins, Kendra Watkin, and K.C. Chockley; 2nd -
Clint Kaller, Craig Church of Revere, Mo, and Colton Weldon; and 3rd
- Michael Dice and Katie Dice of Washington, Ia. And Kayla Butler of
Ft. Madison, Ia. 5 Man barrel race: 1st - Colton Weldon, Clint
Kaller, Mike Wright, Chelsea Wright, & DeWayne Cason of
Drakesville, Ia. ; 2nd - Colton Weldon, Kevin Kaller of Ottumwa, Ia.,
Billie Lipper of Agency, Ia., Tara Lipper of Agency,Ia., and David
Roberts; 3rd - Montana Strader of Macomb, Il., Milissa Watkins,
Michelle Torman of Hannah City, Il., Mindy Strader of Plymouth, Il.,
and Sue White of Havlock, Ia. Coon Hunter Race: 1st - Kaycee
Trevino; 2nd - Colton Weldon, and 3rd - Michaela Jordan of Carthage,
Il. Monkey in a tree: 1st - Mike and Chelsea Wright; 2nd - Doug
DeJong of Tracy, Ia. And Dewayne Cason; 3rd - Tod DeJong and Lane
Anderson of Tracy, Ia. Big Mule Jump: 1st - Kevin Coaltrain of
Newtown, Ia jumped 56"; 2nd - Robert Weaver of Birmingham, Ia.;
and 3rd - Troy Selvy of Liviona, Mo. Little Mule Jump : 1st - Dylan
Waterman of LaGrange, Mo. Jumped 44 "; 2nd - Craig Church; And
3rd - Larry Zylstra of Farmington, Ia.
The Rodeo results will follow later in next paper.
Sunday winners are: Costume class: 1st - Kindra and Kalissa Watkins
as the Wizard of Oz; 2nd - Anna Coulter as the Jack in the Box; and
a tie for 3rd - were Thomas Church as Thomas the Train and Hailie
Coulter as Sister Sarah from "Three Mules for Sister
Sarah" Big Mule Halter class: 1st - Richard Chockley of
Plymouth, Il.; 2nd - K.C. Chockley; and 3rd - Zack Mathes of
Maywood, Ia. Little Mule Halter class: 1st - Mike Wright; 2nd -
Glenna Schantz of Luray, Mo.; and 3rd - Brandon Schlipman Wagon
Class:Both entries were 1st place - Jeff Wilson of Ottumwa, Ia. And
Bob 3 Legged race: 1st - Christy Zylstra and Chelsea Wright; 2nd -
Zack Mathes and Billy Hannant of Taylor, Mo.; and 3rd - Emma and Tom
Rabideau Dolly Parton race : 1st - Lana Peterson of Springfield ,
Il.; 2nd - Ashley Lile of Purdon, Mo.; and 3rd - Ashton Krueger of
Kahoka, Mo. Mule Pull at Noon: 1st - Bill Orton of Arbbela, Mo. And
2nd - Jeff Wilson (pulled 4500 lbs. For 7 ½ ft.) Adult Bat n'
Barrel : 1st - Ashton Kreuger; 2nd - Melissa Watkins; and 3rd -
Travis Overstreet of Hurdland, Mo. Kids Bar n' Barrel: 1st - Kalissa
Watkins; 2nd - Eliza Riddle; and 3rd - Dalton Klingele Thru the
Barrel: 1st - Christy Zylstra ; 2nd - Melissa Watkins; and 3rd -
Clint Kaller Wheel Barrow race: 1st - Colton Weldon, Clint Kaller ,
and Kevin Kaller; 2nd - Christy Zylsta, Rusty Blind of Stockport, Ia,
and Chelsea Wright; and 3rd - Doug Hyle of Unionville, Mo., Troy
Selvy, and Marty Foster of Unionville, Mo. Back to Back: 1st -
Melissa and Kendra Watkins, 2nd - Tyler Torman of Hanna City, Il.
And Greg Johnson of Trivoli, Il. And 3rd - Kalissa Watkins and
Richard Strader of Marietta, Il Mule Jump: 1st - Troy Selvey Arena
race: 1st - Dewayne Cason; 2nd - Clint Kaller and 3rd - Montana
Strader
This year was a very successful year and the Mule
Festival Committee wishes to thank all the many contestants and
volunteers for their participation in the 2008 Clark Co. Mule
Festival. We hope to see you next year at the 24th event on
September 18-29, 2009. Happy Trails! |
