Join the SF street-car parade

Programs for the 52nd Schweizer Fest were in last week's News and copies are available at our office and businesses across the city. Two events I'd like to plug are the street-car parade Wednesday, Aug. 11, and the Saturday, Aug. 14, diaper derby. For years, both events have been on my Schweizer Fest beat.

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The number of participants in the street-car parade, which falls on the Wednesday-evening kickoff to the festival, varies year to year, and since it takes a little time for youngsters and their adult helpers to prepare the entries, now's the time to begin working.

Over the years, Schweizer street cars have taken on nearly every imaginable shape and theme, so gather the kids and use some imagination. Let's make this year's parade the biggest yet. For my part, I'll promise plenty of photos in the paper.

Registration begins at 6:45 p.m. with the 7:30 p.m. parade leaving the corner of Main and Franklin streets. Prizes are awarded in City Hall Park.

 For details, call sponsor Hauenstein's at 547-4437.

The diaper derby is another favorite and while I'll never have kids of my own to scramble across the mat on Schweizer Halle, either on all fours or on toddler's feet, I've seen about a generation of kids do just that. From a photographer's point of view, the diaper derby is a ball.

If you have a child, grandchild, niece or nephew or other young crawler or walker you can lasso on the 14th, make plans to attend. Registration takes place from 11:30 to noon, followed by crawling and walking events. Roland's Jewelry and Mu Gamma are sponsors.

Another Job Well Done

I've mentioned my praise for local emergency workers in this space before, but the hard work and dedication of Perry County's firefighters, first responders, police officers and paramedics can't be pointed out too often. Never was that more clear last Tuesday when I followed them down a steep ravine at the county airport to the tragic gyrocopter accident that claimed the life of Charles Lunceford.

By the time I reached the scene, the 69-year-old was having his burned limbs and torso covered in gauze. A few yards away, firefighters with extinguishers doused hot spots while others pushed back small limbs and saplings so an all-terrain vehicle could get as close to the patient as possible.

I kept my distance but was impressed at the teamwork and efficiency everyone showed.

The work of firefighters was also very evident during the fire at ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, including the mutual aid other departments provide. At Waupaca, firefighters and equipment from Carter Fire District, stationed in Dale and Yankeetown near Alcoa, responded.

The ladder trucks those two departments brought played an important role of getting water where it needed to go, in that case high up in the foundry's melt department. Tell City firefighters are an efficient group, as are teams from other local departments

We should all be proud of the work our emergency professionals do.

4-H Fair

As a fan who spent several hours of a precious vacation at the nearly week-long event, this year's county 4-H fair seemed to me a big success. There were nice-sized crowds most days, lots of exhibits to look at and booths staffed by local 4-H clubs, groups and businesses. Farm Bureau's lemon shake-ups were to die for and fair burgers, walking tacos and other treats were worth every penny.

Thanks to the many volunteers who make the fair possible and sponsors who help cover costs and the public for taking part in events. Special thanks to businesses who bid in this year's livestock auction.

All of us know the local economy has been challenging, but local merchants and groups were generous to local 4-H'ers.

Hats off also to 4-H'ers, who showed us a wide array of skills and talents that will serve them through life. I'm already looking forward to next year's fair.