Elk County 4-H Fair Parade

[indygal]

The Howard Chamber of Commerce is pleased to sponsor the annual Elk County 4-H Fair parade, slated for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, in Howard. This year’s theme will be “Stars and Stripes,” and parade participants are encouraged to use costumes and decorations with plenty of red, white and blue.
In addition to the new starting time, a few other exciting changes are being introduced into this year’s parade. First, the route has been modified to pass by the courthouse, which will allow those who wish to sit in the shade a chance to view the parade more comfortably. The new route will begin at Wabash and Adams. From there, it will travel north on Wabash to Washington, turn right at Washington, right at Pine, right at Randolph, and then left back to Wabash.
A highlight for this year’s kick-off will be music presented by members of the Elk Community Choir at the corner of Randolph and Wabash streets. An ensemble will sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” while members of American Legion Post 149 color guard present the flags. The Howard Fire Department will head up the parade.
This year’s prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places in the following categories: Floats (adults); Wheels/Cars/Tractors/Etc. (adults); Adult Costumes; Kids Wheels, Decorated (ages 11 and younger); Kids/Costumes/Pets (ages 11 and younger), and Horse & Rider. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded during the turtle races, slated for 11:45 a.m. at the county fairgrounds.
There is no fee to enter a float or to march in the parade, but there are a few rules. Children, with or without pets, are asked to wear costumes. Likewise, children on wheels are asked to wear costumes and/or decorate their vehicles to qualify for judging. Children out of costume may participate but will not be eligible for judging.
Also new this year, in order to encourage more children to enter the parade, the Chamber will provide participants ages 11 or younger with a bag of candy and a small cash prize. All parade participants will receive a cold drink after the parade, compliments of P&J Quick Mart.
Sign-up will begin at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Benson Museum on South Wabash. Anyone interested in helping with registration or judging may contact Lynne Thompson at 374-2321, Benji Crupper at 374-2495, or Norma Barkus at 374-3068.

[heather_tyler_2014]

It's actually 'Howard Elk County Fair Parade' sponsored by the Chamber Of Commerece not the 4-H Fair parade.

[indygal]

Yes, Diane. We're going to do whatever it takes....it seems the reason more children don't take part in the parade is that they would miss out on the candy being thrown...so.......we'll see if this works! If not, maybe next year we'll  have ALL the children in the parade and people throw candy at them from the sidelines! 

I'm sure you're right about the title, Heather. It's very hard for someone new to town to understand how the county fairs work around here, but I'm trying! I did get all the right words in the first sentence ... do I get any points for that?

[heather_tyler_2014]

I guess if you have to! Lol. Mom saw that and told me to correct it. Your welcome!

[Tobina+1]

Well, technically, you're both correct, Indygal and Heather.  It is the Howard Elk County Fair, but this year the 4-H fair is part of the County Fair in Howard.  Next year, it will just be the County Fair, and the 4-H fair will be in Longton.  So if you want to split hairs, it can be called the Howard Elk County and 4-H Fair Parade.

[indygal]

Thanks, Tobina!

[Maude]

Instead of moving the fair every year, why not decide on either Howard or Longton having the fair all the time? I have heard that when the fair is in Howard with out the 4-H fair it is pretty BAD. Longton on the other hand seems to fair better no matter what.
Not trying to raise a stink just a question?
Maude and Maxine

[Tobina+1]

Maude and Maxine;  a question that has been raised many, MANY a time.  Somewhere on this forum is a whole other thread about that subject, and some of the "options" for getting the 4-H fair in one location.  I think it's up to the local fair boards on if they still want to have a "Howard Fair" or "Longton Fair", but the 4-H part could at least be in one location all the time.  And it sounds like a "stink" will HAVE to be raised to actually get action on this issue, as this has been ongoing for quite some time.

[Jane]

Indygal,
I want to thank you for the information you put on the forum as to the parade and what everyone could expect. I know there were other things going on but no one put it in the forum. Getting the information out to people is what Howard needs to do.
So Thanks again for the info.
Jane

[indygal]

Thanks, Jane. The parade went off with only a few small hitches, and it looked like everyone had a lot of fun.