50 years of patriotic pride

By STACY RICE,
Managing Editor
Fifty years have gone by.....
The aroma of barbeque, the squealing of dirt bikes as they rounded the tight curves, the popsicle smiles of the young, and the sign of patriotism was evident everywhere you looked during the 50th Annual Fireworks in the Park last Saturday in H.T. Smith Park. The weather was talk of many as the drippy clouds parted ways moments before the parade began allowing a cool overcast for park visitors the entire day.
To kick off the fun-filled day, lawn chairs were placed and tailgates were lowered symbolizing the start to the Independence Day Parade down Main Street. Tractors, horses, even the newly chartered Drexel FFA made an appearance, and local youth dressed in their finest patriotic attire, all lined up in anticipation for the 10:30 a.m. start. The candy throwing line-up made their way down Main through to the park. Included were dozens of celebrants, including local firefighters, police officers and historians, including Honorary Grand Marshals Herby Thomas, Sody Geuy, Dr. Charles W. Marsh and Dr. Kenneth Hatten. Candy was thrown, trinkets were handed out and smiles were exchanged.
An inflatable jump house and obstacle course proved to be favorites for the youngest at the park. Along with a popular entertainer.... the dunk tank! There, people had their chance, perhaps only chance, to dunk a local celebrity, or their favorite teacher. Other forms of entertainment was the mud-slinging action of the Off-Road Motorcycle Race, held during the late morning and early afternoon, and the watermelon and hot dog eating contests. Winners of the contests were: Hot Dog Eating Contest - 1st Place - Michael Strange, 2nd Place - Michael Vogt and 3rd Place - Rob Kenip; Watermelon Eating Contest - 1st Place - 1st Kyle Jones, 2nd Place - Tim Koehn and 3rd Place - Jillian Wilson. Throughout the day, Lions Club members sold raffle tickets for chances to win $250 cash, an 8-piece patio set, a new chain saw, a...
Read the complete story in the July 9th edition.
PHOTO: JoJo Gilbert, 3 year old granddaughter of Tom and Carey Gilbert, former residents of Drexel, had fun Saturday in the park with her family. The Gilbert’s, along with many other travellers, took advantage of the 50th celebration to came back to visit family and friends on the 4th. Photo by Stacy Rice